The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-04-17
LEG GIsLATURE HAS
OONEL|TTLE MORE
THAN 0BsTRUCT
Gov. 0sborn's Program for Progress,
Efficiency and Economy Has Re-
ceived Little Support From the
Representatives.
Measures Demanded by the People
Have Failed-Adjourns Early,
Which Helps Some.
tFrom . star Corre.pondent).

LANSING, Mich. April 1.-THE
legislature OF 1911 will not go on rec
ord as one OF the great legislatures
in the state history With the most
progressive governor the state ever
has had, II has failed to follow him.
and has deliberately thwarted him in
some OF the reforms which he has at
tempted. In others. II has been with
him. or the forty-odd measures which
he asked In his inaugural message, a
dozen or more will be enacted into
law. The rest have been either smoth.
cred In committee or dubbed to death
on the floor. Some good laws will
result. however.
Here are some of the principal
measures asked for which the legis-
lature has passed through both
houses:
Economy in state institutions to
the extent OF cutting down general
appropriations and cutting out all spe-
cial appropriations which could be
dispensed with.
Commission to investigate general
taxation conditions.
Broadening the powers OF the state
tax commission, to allow adequate
appraisal OF mining properties.-Lord
bill.
Specific tonnage tax on vessels
hailing from Michigan ports.-Steven
son bill
Repeal of the mortgage tax law and
substitution Of a registration fee
Fowle bill
Reorganization Of the Michigan Ma.
tional Guard to cut out gold lace
Stewart-Gansser bill.
Abolition OF the Office OF commits
sioner of mineral statistics-Senator
James bill.
Creation of office OF state fire mar
shal.-Ball bill
Stronger railroad cars.-Smith bill
Taxation of mineral reservations
Bricker- Holland bill.
Abolition of the state weather bu-
reau.
Here. are some OF the matters on
which. the. legislatures has done hon
est work. but which have as yet fall
ed Of passage, as proposed:
Legislative investigation Of all state
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. has investigated
Marquette prison and Kalamazoo asy
lum, and legislature investigated state
fair. Only the first committee has re
ported.
State account instead OF contract
system OF work In state prisons
Perry bills.
Regulation OF express rates by
railway commission-Bill passed sen.
ate; now before house.
Two and one-half cent fare in up
per pensinsla-House bill for two
cent fares before senate Tuesday.
Fixed workingmens injury com.
pensation and abrogation Of fellow
servant, thoroughly threshed out. VIII
probably result in action next ses-
sion.
Initiative, referendum and recall
Passed house: before senate Monday
Appointment of a commission to In
vestigate liquor traffic-Passed SEN
ate: killed in house.
placing game and fish department
IN hands of bipartisan board OF
game protectors-Passed senate; nov
in house. -,
Inter-county road system--Provt1-
ed for in Miller bill, and killed. Mil'
ler.I .eidlein senate bill improving
nresent road law, Is before the mouse,
central board Of control for al
state Institutions. Defeated on ac-
count OF many local interests. BliI
for control of penal and reform insti-
tutions passed house; killed In sen
ate. ,,,.
Simplifying primary law--Flowers
bouae hill before the senate on special
n