The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1913-02-14

the suffragottes, aware OF the plan,
marshaled their forces and the hear
ing included both sides Of the ques-
ton.
Whatever may re the result of the
proposition to submit the question
again 20 the people OF the state at
an early date, true it is tfat the eff
forts of the ants were nipped in the
bud by wide-awake methods that pre-
vented the advocates of the move
ment being caught mapping.
To Assist the Poor Man.
One OF the measures introduced
that is already attracting consider
able attention and which will find
much favor when Il comes to a show
down is that of Representative Hol.
loway OF Grand Rapids. The plan
contemplates exemption from taxa
ton OF homestead property up to a
valuation of $1,50S, for men with iu
comes of $1,000 a year or less. An.
other provision is designed to assist
the poor man in the purchase Of
home, by exempting persons buying
homes on land contracts on which
one-third or more has been paid On
tho principal Tie bill Is bound TO
be popular with the people at large,
but it is likewise sure to find opposi-
ton in the leg stature and hard sled.
ding is ahead for the proposition.
Stenosraphio Report Killed.
The senate voted by large major
ity in favor of a stenographic report
of the legislative proceedings, but
the house killed the bill on the
ground that its benefits would not be
commensurate with the cost. In
other words, its sentimental value
was considered greater than its ma
terial value
It is argued that the people have a
right to know just what their repre-
sentatives do whilc considering legis-
lative measures and it Is the plan to
record all that is said. In this way
members would lie placed upon record
and their acts officially recorded. II
also is argued that it would prevent
misleading voting where sometimes a
vote is changed after once taken and
when a member takes an opposite
course for Interior purposes.
But to all this argument the house
turned a deaf ear.
Hard for Free Text Books.
II present indications go for any
thing it is practically certain that The
free text book proposition, at this
session at least, will fail of material.
ization. Unless there should be
powerful influence brought to bear
the measure will probably not find
its way out of the archives of the
house committee on education. The
Skeels free text book bill and the
Alpena normal school bill were scrt
to the committee and consideration
indefinitely deferred.
Income Tax Legislation.
The perpleXing problem of an in
come tax has now come before the
legislature. Representative Self
fer introduced bill calling for n
graduated income tax for individuals.
corporations, co-partners, etc. The
graduation starts at 81, 900 per year
with a tax Of one per cent and in
one per cent with every additional
$1,000 of annual income until $4,000
is reached.
This bill Is sure to precipitate
big fight 1t is the first measure of
the kind introduced at this session
and if it runs the gauntlet of the COM
mittee it will be in luck, Judging
from sentiments already expressed.
Amendment to Mortgage Tax Law.
A new amendment to the mort
gage tax law has been introduced ty
Representative Hocomb of Montcalm
county. The bill calls for a filing fee
of 10 cents per 500 for the face OF
the mortgage for each year of the
term of the instrument. If at the
end OF the term some of the mort
gage remains unpaid afIidavits may
be taken as in the case OF chattel
mortgages and payment Of 10 cents
per 500 for the additional term OF
the mortgage eXacted. the entire tax |
to remain in the community where |
collected.
Parcel Post Causes Big Saving.
Secretary of state Martindale has
demonstrated that the parcel post is |
to save Michigan vast amount of |
money. In one SINCE item he saved |
at least $4,000. Heretofore license |
plates for automobiles have been |
sent to owners by express and in all |
cases in the country districts auto |
owners were required to go to town |
to get the plates sent by the state |
department. The cost for shipping |
has Eeen 80 cents each Under the |
parcels post system the cost is but |
10 cents. When it is considered that |