The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1911-01-06


such as is here suggested will dis.
cover to the people of the state both
those who have been faithful and those
who have been unfaithful. Out OF this
information gathered would come
ideas of Improvement that would more
than justify the time and expense In
volved in the work The public has
right to know intimately and in de-
tail about the condition of the state
in every way.
The Veto Power.
/ wish you to know my attitude as
to the veto power of the governor.
The judgment of the legislature as to
matters legislative should be presumed
to reflect exhaustive analysis and SUI
perior wisdom. AS a general propo-
sition, the governor, In my opinion,
should not interpose his veto unless
information reaches him concerning
measure subsequent to it's enact
ment that was not possessed during
its discussion, or for other rare and
rational reasons. The dominant
party's fitness for legislative as we'll as
executive government Is always OH
trial, as is eminently proper. The PEG.
pie expect the legislature to assume
a careful and patriotic plane in the
consideration of all matters that come
before it. and in this I feel certain
there will be no real disappointment
Economy.
There Is unusual need for the ex-
ercise Of the closest economy in the
management Of the business Of the
state in every direction. / feel sure
the legislature will appreciate this
fact and arise to 1t. I hope that the
number of legislative employees will be
reduced to the lowest workable point
without the slightest consideration OF
PATRONAGE. Although the salary OF
each legislator is for the term, without
reference to the length of the session
the fixed charges Of the Legislature
are defined by the length of the SEES
sion. / trust the legislators will not
only decide to cut down the number
of employees, but will work one more
day week than has been the custom
in the past. which should insure a
shorter session and a resultant saw.
ing of money.
1t might also be wise to cut out
the ancient junket practice. Commit
tees could make trims of examination
in way and at time that would not
interfere with the general work of the
legislature.
Regulation of Express Rates.
Permit me to call your attention
to the condition Of the express bust
ness in Michigan. Rates are irregular
excessive, unfair and unreasonable
No particular effort is made to serve
the public properly, and slight con
sideration Is given the RIGHTS and wei
fare of the people. All the public will
bear, and sometimes more. Is the eX
press spirit. No intelligent basis oil
rates seems to exist. recommend that
exnress companies be placed more
fully and directly under the jurisdic
ton Of the state railroad commission
and that more complete power be Civ
en- the commission to fix rates ami
generally regulate the express bust
ness of the state for the benefit of the
public welfare.
Upper Peninsula Railroad Rates.
Upper peninsula railroads are per
mitted to charge a maximum rate oil
three cents mile for passenger fare
In nv opinion the time has come wher
the maximum rate to be charged north
| CT the Straits of Mackinac should be re
| duced to 2 1-2 cents a mile. 1t must
be admitted that the population Of the
| section referred to Is more sparse ant
| the physical operation of the railroads
| somewhat more expensive in the win
| ter time. On the other hand, the less
ned population is served by fewer
railroads. There Is less division o
the railroad business than in the lower
| peninsula. Also. it should be consid
cred that ALL or nearly ALL OF the
upper peninsula railroads are parts Of
or feeders to, great and rich railroad
systems and that by the very nature
of Topography they occupy strategic
| positions that are Of great value and
operate In instances to the exclusion
or prevention Of competing lines. While
| this NAV not be particularly felt 81
appreciated at the moment, the time
will come when their values in thi:
direction will he more forciblv obtrud
ed. The public should no longer be
called upon TO bear an unjust share
| Of the burden of that over-capitaliza
ton of certain railroads for which Il
is powise to blame, but of which it /:
victim.
Non-Partisan Tax Commission.
The Republican party platform
adopted in Detroit in 1910, PLEDGED 8
special commission for the study o.
the entire tax system Of Michigan il
all Of its bearings The Democratic
party platform. adopted in Kalamazoo
contained a similar pledge. I believe
the suggestion to be wise and timel,
and one involving "a promise tina
should be carried out. In nv opinion
the commission should be bipartisan
The Legislature is called upon bv thu
new constitution to provide means
this year, for a complete new equaliz"
tion of assessments by state board
Perhaps a study Of the system of tav
alton should be made by the sam,
board.
Equal taxation and the taxation o
all property will always be public prob
lens. Nevertheless, Michigan ha,
made great advances in the direction
Of fairer and fuller taxation during tn,
past decade. and there Is no reason
why this desirable progress should b,
checked at this time.
Taxation Legislation.
In making recommendations relativ.
to taxation legislation, I deem il ad
visable to call your attention to tw,
features Of our new state constitution
One the provisions affecting you
authority to impose specific taxes, ant
the other, the limitations Of the sub