The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-12-28

primary election law for the nomina =
ton OF ali candidates by direct vote
or the people under the Australian bal
lot system, ant though. detective IN
one respect. Il was broader ami bet
ter law than that OF any other state
In the Union.
We secured just law, since sus-
tanned by the supreme court. taxing
railroad property 10y the same system
and az the same rate applied TO other
taxable property.
We secured a law taxing large in
heritances. the constltutionality OF
which the supreme court has likewise
lnfiirmed.
We enacted Law taxing street rail
ways by the same system md at the
same rate applied To other taxable
property
We enacted a eivn service law.
broader. and admittedly superior To the
evil service law Of any other state,
placing the civil service on a basis
where appointments are made strictly
Upon t,-ttfte-uficu to rft --tttzeuS
alike. thus thoroughly demoralizing
the civil service OF the state
We enacted IA law prohibiting contri-
buttons by corporations for political
purposes.
We enacted law prohibiting any
paid lobbyist or legislative agent from
communicating personally with any
member OF the Legislature regarding
legislation, AMI limiting the lobbyist
TO oral or printed arguments. presented
20 legislative committees. or to the
legislature ia a body.
For the first time in the history OF
waler-powcr legislation In this whole
country, Wisconsin Incorporated a pro-
vision IN every franchise providing for
a regulation OF the rates charged for
electric power. The water powers have
been placed under the control or the
railway commission and the flowing
waite. has been declared 10 be public
property
Wa ss,urad laoislatto,, ag,ahlisbIu,y Z,
state forest reserve. starting with
$4,000 acres on the headwaters of the
principal rivers OF the state, and WIS
consln now ranks next TO New York
belonging to the state, and has
adopted permanent policy of adding
annually TO the reserve.
We have enacted an efficient child
labor law; excessive hours for women
workers have beer aboIished the doe
trine OF comparative negligence has
been abolished; the doctrine or con-
tributive negligers- has been adopted
men have been done away with; we
have enacted law providing for bet
ter sanitary conditions In factories a
law guarding dangerous machinery
and places; law establishing free
employ mcnt officers. a law governing
sanitary conditions in sweat shops: a
law giving better protection to those
employed in the building trades; law
pfoNlulnE Tor woman factory inSDoc-
tor, giving special attention 10 condi-
tions surrounding women and children
employed in workshops: a law regulnt-
ing the sanitary conditions h baker
les and CONTEMPORARIES tenement
: ~ oVi6inG for better sanitSa
ton IN densely populated sections OF
the state.
The most carefully drawn OF all
worklnen's Compensation laws has been
adoptcd IL was sust aimed by an en-
lightened supreme court decision which
mas broken the grip OF the hand or
precedent which in other states and
IN the nation has paralyzed twentieth
century social progress with eight
ecnth century ideas
Besides, the employers OF the state
have organized under new insurance
law, an employers mutual Insurance
association. similar 70 those which in
Germany have greatly reduced acct
dents ana compensated the workmen.
And. finally, we have secured legisla-
ton establishing an industrial commits
sion which has been given the super
vision and enforcement OF all labor
laws. With fun power TO protect the
life, health. safety, and welfare OF en-
pieSes This commission has employed
one of the leading experts OF tho
United states to cooperate with en-
ployers In devising ways and means OF
safety and sanitation.
We enacted a law creating a railway
commission which has power to regu-
late rates and services OF the railroads
and all public utilities in the state.