Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1911-01-12


enable them 10 participate in hidden
values II ever discovered and devel-
oped. In very many instances private
owners during all OF the years of the
states history have reserved the min
eral rights in lands transferred by
them. II is often the case that this
reservation while representing a value
that IL is considered wise to retain. is
untaxed. The tax follows the land,
and the holder of the reservation paws
nothing. The reserved values are al
ways uncertain and intangible, but
are nevertheless considered TO exist
and should be made to pay tax. All
this may be comprehended by the gen
eral tax law, but the law has been in
operative so far as reaching these val.
ues is concerned, and especial legisla-
tion is needed to correct the omission.
If these private reservations were
taxed Justly they would in some in
stances be surrendered to the state,
which would eventually lead TO pos
sessions for the people that might de-
velop into considerable proportions.
Water Powers Of the State.
The water powers OF the state have
almost entirely passed into the hands
OF private owners. A policy that has
Tor It's purpose the securing TO the
state OF a special income from the
operation of water powers should be
persisted in. Care will be taken, OF
course, to do nothing that will render
over difficult the general and success
ful development of the valuable wa
ter powers in the state. Such develop
ment can only result in a great In
crease in the taxable tangible values
of the state.
Wild Cat Mining Stocks.
Lotteries are forbidden by law in
Michigan. The sale of wild cat min.
ing stock is glazing form of lottery
Thousands of dollars annually are paid
for worthless stocks by Michigan citi-
zens. Stocks known by promoters 10
possess no value are advertised for
sale without restriction in this state
/ ask your attention 10 this matter
in the hope that you may be able TO
do something TO remedy the evil.
Wood Lots on Farms.
law requiring, or at least encour
aging, the growth and existence and
conservation of wood lot on every
farm in the state would be TO the ad
vantage of the farmer directly and 70
all of the people Of the state Indirect
ly.
Compulsory Voting Laws.
1t is desirable that all qualified elect.
ors should vote. A law has been sug-
gested DISTINGUISHING a voter for the
same length of additional time he re-
Trains from voting without reasonable
excuse. | deem the idea worthy OF
your consideration. Those who do not
vote leave the government in the
hands of those who do vote, which is
where ii should be. Nevertheless, II
compulsory voting law would result In
more general attendance at both pri-
mary and election polls, it would be
a good thing.
Free Text Books.
ask your consideration of a free
text book law similar 10 that of Massa-
chusetts. Several cities of Michigan
have found such law advantageous.
A great saving is secured without less.
ening the merit of the book
Regulation of Private Banks.
There seems TO be no good reason
why private banks should not have
some state supervision and be re-
quired. on call, TO file statements.
Their sale or transfer should be sub
ject to the approval of the state bank.
ing commissioner
Women and Child Labor.
Laws regulating the conditions
nn ,syhi m ~
be employed should be perfected as
much as possible in the interest Of
women and children. Simplicity OF en-.
forcement should be sought in form,
and wholesome, practical results
should be aimed at.
State Land Office.
recommend the adjustment OF the
state land office and the proper trans.
fer of the work now done in that de-
partment and worth while continuing.
Secret Service Fund.
advise the creation Of a small Sec
ret service fund to be at the disposal
Of the governor or attorney general, or
both. Such a fund could be most
wholesomely used in protecting the
interests of the people.
Michigan Weather Bureau.
ask your attention to the Sugges-
ton that the Michigan weather bureau
be abolished Whatever IL does seems
to be an unnecessary duplication OF
the United States meteorological work.
Supervision Of Stock Brokers.
recommend that the business OF
stock broking be classified as private
banking and brought under the re-
quirements Of any laws that may he
enacted for the regulation OF private
banks. Estahlishmentssof this charac-
ter and their branches might be re-
stricted to cities OF 10000 population
or over.
A prominent Michigan citizen of
city OF 10000 recently made list
for my information, Of twenty-five res
idents in is town who were worth
from $4,000 to $4,000 before a branch
of an eastern stock broking house was
established therein. BY speculation
H. Lar r. . Ill