The Detroit times., 1911-04-13
SENATE DODGES
LIABILITY LAW
Puts Question Up To e. Commission
of Five To Be Appointed by
the Governor.
CFrom a stan Corre.pondentJ


sion OF five 10 inquire into the ques-
tion OF employers liability and work
ingmen's compensation, was the meth
od the senate chose Wednesday al
ternoon to clean its hands OF. the per-
picking problem. The substitute SEN
ate bill. built with the Moriarity-
James bill as the nucleus, was so dis
torted by senators wishing TO appease
the wrath OF labor delegates, that the
more conservative members realized
that the bill as amended would be
Objectionable TO employers, as well.
Senators James and Moriarity sought
to have the substitute passed, but
were unsuccessful.
Rep. Hollands bill, authorizing the
city OF Ironwood to issue $4,000
worth of bonds to cover a judgment
for that amount rendered against IT,
passed the senate, Wednesday after
mono. and has gone TO the governor
for his signature The judgment
was rendered on the claim of con-
tractors who did some paving for the
city.
Senator James corrupt practice act,
limiting the amount OF money which
candidates for public Offices can
spend In their campaigns, which was
at first not considered very serious
ly, passed the senate on third read
ing, Wednesday. The bill prohibits
candidates from spending more than
sum equal TO % per cent OF the an
nual salary of the Office to which they
aspire. Every other kind OF an i'm
position which is practiced on can
didate before election, from request
ing him TO purchase tickets to ball,
to demanding money for carrying
number OF votes. is strictly barred.
The Lucas-Symonds bill, bringing
railroads operating in the upper PEN
insula under the two-cent fare law,
probably VIII be thrashed out by the
senate Friday. Senator Moriarity Is
active in an effort to amend the bill
so that the roads can charge two and
half cents a mile. He declared last
night that 20 senators had promised
to support this amendment. Senator'S
Fowle and James will stand pat for
two cents a mile, and are as con-
fident as Moriarty that the bill Will
be passed without amendments.
A resolution calling for the ap-
pointment by the governor OF COM
mission Of three TO investigate the
liquor problem, was introduced by
Senator Watkins, Wednesday after
noon, and after a sharp fight, was
passed. Senators Collins. Cartier, and
Leidlein opposed the measure, They
contepded that II made no provisions
for a proper investigation, and that
the findings of a commission appoint
ed under its provisions would be sim
ply an expression of opinion between
the members. The opposition Insist
ed that the voters of the state were
intelligent enough to decide prob
lem of such Importance for them
selves. After the resolution had been
defeated once, the vote was recon
sidered. 1t was adopted, 20 to IL. In
support OF the resolution were: Sen
ators Barnaby, Bradley, Conley, Fos-
ter, Fowle, Freeman, James, King
man, Kline, Mapes. Newton, Putney.
Taylor, Vanderwerp, Vaughan, Wal
ter, Ward, Watkins and Virgins. Op-
posed were: Senators Cartier. Col
lins, Lee, Leidlein, Miller Moriarity,
Murtha, F.. d. Scott, G. G. Scott, Smell
and White.
On the motion of Senator Taylor,
the senate committee OF the whole
killed the bill introduced by Senator
Kingman and fathered by c. w. Post,
OF Battle Creek. providing for the ap-
pointment of a board Of arbitrations
in cases where employers and en-
ployes differ, and a strike or lock-
out is impending. According to Tay-
lor, the bill is IAN avalanche OF words
and phrases so jumbled up that 1t Is
impossible to afthom 1t, and that IT
will interfere with many well estab-
lished laws now in effect" The bill
makes the decisions of the board OF
arbitrations provided for binding on
both employers and employees.
The Mapes teachers retirement fund
bill passed the committee OF the
whole. The bill provides that per-
sons who have taught in public
schools for a period of not less than
80 years shall be eligible. When re-
tired they are entitled to a sum equal
to one-half OF the average salary they
earned during the last five years OF
their incumbency, providing the re-
tirement salary Is not more than $500
year.
Senator Miller made an effort to
have reported back to the finance and
appropriation committee, Senator Col
Inns bill making appropriations for
the fish commission. The bill asks
for about S101 900 for two years. This
is about $4,000 more than was asked
last year. Collins explained that the
appropriations of this department
were badly cut two years ago, and
that the increase is absolutely neces-
sary to continue the work.
Senator Miller's bill, providing that
railroads must equip their Pullmans
with sanitary drinking appliances was
passed temporarily, after two sena-
tors had intimated that such a meas
ure might be fathered by the manu-
facturers OF the various kinds OF san
itary drinking cups.
The senate suspended the rules and
passed a resolution providing for the
expenses Of the legislative committee
which will recount the votes cast for
circuit Judge in Wayne county.
The Fowle bill, abolishing taxes on
mortgages and substituting a registra-
ton fee OF one-half of one per cent.
passed the house yesterday after
noon after short sharp contest.
Only one amendment was made.
This divides the registration fee
equally between the state and the
county where the record is made. In
the senate an amendment was made