The Detroit times., 1911-01-06
ave ave careful consideration at your


There coyo be created I'm some OF the
existent State departments sub-de-
partment, whose work should be the
purchase OF at least staple supplies for
all OF the institutions OF the state. In
any event. changes for the better can
be made In the methods now In vogue.
state Fire Marshal.
i bespeak your consideration of law
creating state fire marshal TO be un-
der the direction and a part OF the de-
partment OF the state insurance com
ferreting out and punishment OF those
guilty OF arson has reduced the nre
loss, IRE risk. and fire insurance rates.
making Tor great saving or money
and lessening Of fire crimes.
Separation OF Grades
consistent and persistent policy OF
electric railroads. and street crossings,
III inaugurated under wise laws would
result In great SAVING or lie anu
pursued. would not infiict impossible
hardship upon either the railroad COM
panies or the public. In my opinion,
more definite and compulsory form
other states and counties appreciate
their public duty In this direction.
Michigan should not be recreant
Stronger Railroad Cars.
Great good could be accomplished by
reasonable law defining the nature
fast as fiimsy rolling stock now in use
Is worn out and condemned II should
be replaced by steel carriages COM
plying with safe standard fixed by
the state. on freight trains the dan
gerous little "dinky' four wheeled ca
booses, outlawed in neighboring states,
are still In use in Michigan. dumped
into this state from divisions where
salutary laws condemn their use. They
should be outlawed.
One-Board system.
IL Is true that for snort period
Michigan tried "A one board system for
Ia IaN "a
passed by a Democratic legislature and
hastily repealed by a Republican legis-
ia t before It's adequacy had been
gest your consideration OF laws that
Will place all OF the prisons under one
board and In fact. all institutions sur
nclently similar In character under the
same board wherever possible. The
board system at best while IL has
worked as we'll In ichigan as else
where. largely leaves the management
OF state institutions TO their superin-
tendents
Duplication of Educational Work.
All OF our educational institutions
are In good condition. There, Is how
ever. much duplication OF work and
especially by the university. the agrl-
cultural college and the college OF
mines. Ideally. all or these institutions
should be Incorporated into one great
university. A law requiring Joint meet
lngs or the boards controlling the uni
versity, agricultural college and coll
lege OF mines and the state Normal
schools should have your consideration.
Such joint meeting at least once a
year ought to result in better correla-
ton and collaboration and the elimin-
alton OF much duplication. Excellent
as II is as an institution fear that the
Michigan Agricultural College Is grad
ualiy becoming more OF technical
than an agricultural college and that
lege is already too much OF an Incl
dent rather than the chief feature. This
Is not communicated to you In any
spirit or adverse criticism. but rather
with the hope that steps may be taken
to preserve to this college higher agrt-
cultural training as its principal work.
making everything else incidental.
Convict Labor.
i desire to especially call your at
tentlon to the profitable achievements
OF the Detroit House OF Correction as
an Illustration OF what may be done in
the way or prison labor. The problem
OF convict employment is one most diff
fcult To solve. In several states con-
Wet labor on the public highways is
honor system seems TO be especially
good. l hope convict labor on roads
Will be given a full and fair trial In
Michigan The contract system seems
to have been abused In Michigan. Con-
tractors have reaped profits at the eX-
pense OF Michigan taxpayers. hope
that out of the especial study OF this
matter. directed by and arranged for by
the last legislature much good shall
come.
The states Finances.
No concealment from the people
should be made OF the exact financial
condition OF the state. By rigorous
economy reasonable budget and care
iul ANALYSIS OF proposed appropriations
even financial keel at once | shall in
sist that my appointiVe heads OF de-
partments cut down expenses TO bed
rock and trust that all elective off,
IN N ~ mi Il hA
same direction We are confronted at
this moment with a large deficit. the
exact amount OF which / have not
learned, but probably amounting 70 at
least million dollars.
There should be perfect harmony of
action to correct the present deplorable
conditions.
Reservation of Mineral Rights.
There Is still some state land that
may have stone, oil, gas. or mineral
values apart from their agricultural
state hereafter there should be such
a reservation OF right TO the people as
Will enable them TO partic ipate in hid
den values IL ever discovered and de-
veloped. In very many Instances pri-
vate owners during all OF the years OF
the states history, have reserved the
mineral rights in lands transferred by
them. 1t Is often the case that this
reservation. while representing value
that IL Is considered wise 10 retain. Is
untaxed. The tax follows the land and
the holder OF the reservation pays
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 general
tax law. but the law has been inoper-
ative so far as reaching these values
Is concerned, and especial legislation is
needed TO correct the omission. IL these
private reservations were taxed Justly
they would in some instances be sur
rendered to the state, which would
eventually lead to possessions for the
people that might develop into consid-
cradle proportions.
Water Powers of the state.
The water powers OF the state have
OF private owners. A policy that has
for its purpose the securing to the
state OF a special iLcome 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
full development OF the valuable water
powers Pm 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 I'm
Michigan. The sale of wild cat mining
stock IL glaring form of lottery.
Thousands OF dollars ann ually are paid
for worthless stocks by Michigan citi-
zens. Stocks known by promoters to
possess no value are advertised for
sale without restriction in this state.
1 ask your attention to this mater In
the hope that you may be able to do
something to remedy the evil. !
Wood Lots ON Farms.
A law requiring, or at least encour-
aging, the growth and existence and