The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-02-24
VALUATION OF
PUBLIC UTILITIES
Tax Commission Asks Legislature
For Authority To GET It-0sborn
Is Not Opposed.
,rron. . star corre.poua-n,,.

LANSlNG, Mich, req -f-in ~
Spouse the legislative resolution re-
questing the tax commission 10 SUP
init its report and recommendations
for legislation on taxation matters,
communication setting forth the com
missioners' ideas and incorporating
their report, was submitted TO the
legislature yesterday. The commits
sion In it's recommendation failed TO
come out nat footed for the tax re-
form ideas OF Gov. Osborn, but II ala
not enter objections. IL merely STOOD
for a retention OF the adyalorem sys-
tenn OF taxation. IL also asked that
the power 10 initiate. examine, re-
view and reassess be clearly -denned
and that the commission be author
lied 20 employ assistants necessary 10
secure cash valuation OF mining and
other properties,
Its most striking recommendation
Was the suggestion that II be given
authority to determine the valuation
OF public utilities, including street
railway companies, gas companies ana
electric lighting and power companies
the assessment thus made 10 be tenta-
tive and advisory and presented TO
local assessing officers for their guid.
ance. This provision IL incorporated
in bill Is pretty sure TO raise wild
protests from every public utility COM
pany in the state. The communica-
ton also asks that the law be amend
ed so that personal property shall be
clearly brought within the jurisdic-
ton OF the commission.
Before the report was brought In,
the house had passed the Lord bill IN
creasing the powers OF the tax COM
mission In many OF the particulars
mentioned. The bill was opposed by
Iep. Dusenbury, who objected TO the
commission being given unlimited au'
thority TO hire experts, when neces-
sary TO get at valuations OF speciai
property, such as mines.
The house also passed Rep. Austins
bill for the employment OF convicts on
county road work: Rep. Copiey's regu'
lating maternity hospitals; Rep. Nor
gan's, allowing prosecuting attorneys
in all counties 90 employ assistants,
but making no provision for their re-
mureration: and two bills from the
senate. One was by Senator James,
abolishing the ONCE Of commissioner
OF mineral statistics, and the otner py
Senator Kline, relative 70 holidays III
public schools This provides that
school sessions shall be held on LIN
coins birthday, Washington's birth
day and Columbus day, but that COM
memorative exercises shall be held In
the schools.
Among bills reported out by the
house committee on health, yesterday,
was one which will have a rather d.
rect effect on the trafiic in morphine
and kindred drugs as NJ Jackson,
where much of the stun has been
smuggled into the prison. The law
hitherto has made seller and purchas-
err equally liable, and thereby prose
cutions have been obstructed, Wit
nesses refusing to incriminate them
selves. The bill reported out cuts
out the penalty on the purchaser
Senator Foster and Rep. Knight
have each a bill 10 reorsaniZe the
public domain commission. Fosters
provides for an immigration and col
onization department as suggested by
the governor. The knight bill gives
the commission control not only OF
lands, forests and streams, but also
gives II supervision over the land
commissioner. II also provides for
an immigration department for the
purpose OF inducing settlers to occupy
state lands. Under this bill, the com.
mission would consist OF the land
commissioner, the auditor-general,
regent OF the university, member OF
the state board OF education, and
member OF the board of control Of the
mining school at Houghton. II 10
authorized to appoint n chief trespass
agent, a supervisor of forests, and TO
take over the present game, hsh and
fire warden's departments.
Rep. Martz and Senator Cartier
each came through with bill yester-
day to permit prize lighting In Michi.
gan The Martz bill provides for six
round bouts. and the Cartier bill for
fights under the auspices Of clubs hav-
ing a capital Of $4,000. Gov. Osborn
has expressed his disapproval OF box
ing except by amateurs.
One OF the first budgets was re-
ported out yesterday. by the commit
tee on soldiers home. The original
bill asked for $201 $50 year for cur
rent expenses and $4,000 for a dor
mitory. The dormitory was cut out
and the current expense allowance
cut TO 100000 a year.
Senator King introduced a bill TO
authorize breweries TO be operated in
dry counties II the product IL sealed
mp and shipped outside.
Christian scientists and chiroprac-
tors are up in arms over an alleged
joker tucked away In the last section
OF the Reynolds bill amending the
law relative TO licensing and register
ing physicians and surgeons. The
paragraph reads:
Provided, that this Interpretation
OF the practice OF medicine shall not