The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1911-03-03

The Stewart bill is the house clean
ing bill par excellencs. The bill will
do away with eighteen architects now
employed by the various institutions
One architect employed by the board
will have charge of all the plans for
betterments and supervision of new
buildings. 1t also does away with
eighteen treasurers, as, according TO
the bill, all disbursements will be
made by the state treasurer direct to
the various claimants In this way al!
monies will be kept in state deposit
tories where the state draws interest
on daily balances. 1t is estimated that
the state will derive from this source
OF increased interest over $4,000 an
nualiy, more than sufficient TO provide
for the maintenance of the board and
its clerical help.
In conjunction with the board, q
general purchasing agent is proposed.
All purchases for state institutions
shall be made in bulk and by Compel
tive bids, if possible. Michigan deal.
ers will be given the preference, if
prices are equal. All supplies will be
forwarded to the institutions on requi-
sition. The board also will have
charge and control of all the employees
at the institutions. The scale of wages
to be paid such employees is uniform,
and no employee can be engaged or dis.
missed by the superintendent or war
den without the consent of the board.
The bill also eliminates the personal
servants and domestics which are now
maintained at state expense by the
head officers OF a number of state in
stitutions. It also provides that the
rations issued employees of the insti-
tuition, as well as to the executive
heads, shall be the same as are served
to the inmates. 1t also prevents the
Issuing of rations to others but to en-
ployes and their families.
Strenuous opposition can be expect
ed against this bill. The temper Of
the house, however, Is thoroughly
aroused by the mismanagement and
extravaganza prevailing in some of
the Michigan institutions. Compare
sons are being made with the cost
per inmate of state institutions in
states now operating under one
board system, and the comparisons are
decidedly In favor Of the new nova
ton.
Prohibits Advertising Frauds.
In line with Governor Osborn's sug
gestion, Representative Oppenborn OF
Alpena county has introduced bill
to prohibit all lurid and exaggerated
advertising which intends to defraud
the unsophisticated reader. This bill
is aimed at wild cat mining schemes
and other advertising get-rich-quick
lines.
Oppenborn has another bill before
the house, revising the method of col
lecting delinquent taxes. His bill pro.
vides that all delinquent taxes shall
be collected by the county treasurers
and then remitted to the state treasur-
er. All the functions and powers now
exercised for the collection of delin.
quent tax on real estate property by
the auditor general are delegated to
the county treasurers. If this bill
should become law 1t would do away
with at least eighty clerks in the audi
tor generals Office.
The tax committee, alarmed at the
indignation by the house members
and the press at the action in turning
down the governors bill for the crea-
ton of an expert commission to study
the taxation question, reported the
bill last week, with recommendations.
Representative Lord, who Is hostile to
the governors idea, prevented the en-
dorsement Of the bill by the commit
tee and was supported by the two
democratic members, Representatives
Dricker and Farmer. A bill restoring
to the tax commission its former pow.
ers has passed the house on third
reading. According to this bill, the
tax commission may, upon complaint
OF any taxpayer, revise and order
reassessment in any assessing district
in the state. 1t also extends the juris-
diction of the commission over gas and
electric power plant.
Investigate Marquette Prison.
Aroused by the statements of War
den Russell that he is in favor Of
corporal punishment for prisoners, and
that this method of punishment Is
frequently applied to recreant prison.
ora a apactal 1aOicIafiya coro poiffoa