Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1913-04-24

VIII be among the last or the bigger
accomplishments Of the session. The
ways and means committee Of the
house struck decisive blow In favor
Of the M, 4 c. being maintained in
fact as we'll as in name the distinc-
ton which its name implies. The
committee reported in favor OF a
one-sixth mill tax, with the provision
for only $4,000 to be expended In
any one year for the mechanical and
engineering departments. The SEN
ate had already, few days previous
ly, passed a straight appropriation
of $350,000, cutting out the mill tax.
Mobile Bill Finally a Law.
One of the measures whose influ-
ence is far-reaching and which has
been the cause of much debate and
at one time fear of defeat, is the
so-called Mobile bill, regulating fra
ternal insurance societies doing bust
ness within the state. This measure
placing such societies under state
control went through its last stages
and up to the governor toward the
last of the week A similar bill two
years ago met with effective oppos.
ton but the opposition this time We
not sufficient to kill it,
"Joker" Committee Busy.
Speaker Currie the first of last
week realized that a censor board
in the house would serve well in
scrutiny of bills that might contain
jokers. This committee, though un-
official, put in some energetic work
to see that any provision indicating
a wrongful spirit or intent and the
work facilitated the action of the
house and eliminated the fear that
something Objectionable would slip
through.
Weights Bill Passed.
The senate passed the weights and
measures bill giving the dairy and
food department charge Of the in
spection of these articles of sale and
purchase.
Mothers Get Consideration.
Mothers in Michigan who are fight
ing to keep the wolf from the door
and strug gling to keep their families
together will be given consideration
il the Amberson.James bill passes
the house, which looks likely. The
those in operation in other states
II provides that II q mother is a
widow either deserted or deprived OF
the husband by death can receive 81
q week for each dependent child, pro
viding the mother is shown a suit
able guardian for such children. The
measure also provides for such aid
where the mother is in poor health
The bill, which is declared to be one
of the most progressive Of the ses-
sion. was passed by both committee
and senate without opposition.
Blue Sky Bill Gets Through.
Another bill of progressive COM
plexion which has been given much
discussion is the so-called blue sky
measure which protects innocent in
vestors from schemers with doubt
full securities for sale. This is said
to be one of the best bills OF its
nature in any state. The bill pro-
vides for a commission which shall
serutinize and pass upon securities
offered for sale in this state and for
a license for right to sell within the
state.
BayIlss Telephone Bill.
The Bayliss telephone bill pre-
pared by Lawton T. Hemans Of the
state railroad commission and gener-
ally favored by telephone companies.
passed the house on third reading
by a vote of Ga to II.
Vice Commission Bill Killed.
Michigan, unlike many other states,
will not have a vice commission ap-
pointed by the governor. The Nc
Naughton senate bill providing for
such commission and for rigid in
vestigations Of vice conditions in the
state, which was passed by the SEN
ate, will repose peacefully in the
archives of the committee room OF
the house.
To Clean Up Organized immortality.
The house of representatives is on
record as favoring cleanup of or
ganized immortality in the state. The
way is paved for a plan to cleanse
the state in q measure by the pas
sage in the house OF the j. N. Nc
Bride bill. The measure declares
that disorderly houses are a menace
to public immortality and q nuisance
and provides methods OF civil and
criminal prosecution for those who
rent or lease property for such pur.
poses.
Teachers Pension Bill Passes.
The teachers pension bill, which
has had bitter opposition. passed the
house by a narrow margin, but
referendum clause was attached In
order to get It through. The meas.
ure provides that the proposal must
be Endorsed by majority vote OF
the people of the state before II can
become effective.
Big Grist Of Bills Sent Through.
Among the many measures agreed
TO the last OF the week were the