The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-03-20
STERILIZATION
BILL CERTAIN
T0BECOMELAW
Rep. Odelrs Measure Passes the
Senate With Few
Amendments
-.fF 80
SPECIFIC AUTO TAX
BILL PASSES HOUSE
Establishment of Vice Commits.
sion Favored by
Senate
FROM a Stor Correspondent.

LANSING, Mich. March 20.-Rep
Arthur Odell's bill to authorize the
sterilization of mentally defective
epileptic and insane persons in state
institutions Is now assured of becom
ing law. The senate passed il We'd
nesday afternoon by vote 10 81 10 8
When shown a copy OF the bill yes
terday. Gov. Ferris said he would
sign II. There Is scarcely doubt that
It Will reach him In day or two for
Rep. Odell has declared his intention
not TO oppose the amendments made
oy the senate. The most important
OF these Is requirement of 80 days
notice to the parents or guardian OF
each patient and, II IT should be de.
manded. q hearing Of his case before
. probate court which will have tht
power to order or prohibit such an
4 oper1tior.
facing the decision in the hands
@of the court commented the author
OF the bill. will result mainly in adde
3 expense and perhaps some delay In
establishing the efficacy OF the law. Ii
1.-THE procedure proves burdensome, it
can be removed two years hence. How
ever. do not expect It to be OF serious
consequence. II We can Judge from
\ the experience OF other states which
have adopted the practice, big ma
jority OF the afflicted persons and their
relatives will readily consent TO the
( operation on account OF the improved
Y physical and mental condition seen In
those who have been subjected to 1t.
n Gov. Ferris also took occasion TO ex-
. - mi nfO In, Ta
4 cation OF the epileptics from the feeble
minded inmates OF the Lapeer state
1not1tution. The governor recently
made . visit to the home In Lapeer and
n - calling to mind the experience re-
married that he would never be able
re forget what he saw there.
believe" he said, that an epilep-
&}lc colony should be formed. These
Ao4ges OF the state who are normal
kcept during the periods OF the re-
&nry(ng attacks OF their afYlictions
4elld not be subjected to the horror
0e constant association with the feeble
minded patients. The situation in
Mhich they must live IL beyond express
Giving them relief from IL is a
nsfer Of humanity and not Of dollars
n11 cents. -
And It should be attended to imme.
oseay, think. In spite of the large
M q expenses to which the state Is
olng put.
Many Of the inmates OF the home
1uirs 10 ttmsestAeSase oe-An -infant
2rU fxr MUrg hUlp1eBE II r. q
vooder to NE. how the superintendent
Rer retains The help necessary to
corry on the work Of the Institution. "
The senate Endorsed. the establish
mt OF . Vice ccmminsion- 10 tnvesti.
10 the soClAI Ix1 In NichiGAp Wed.
f1oooAy by approving IA committee OF
- whole the bin Of Senator Nc.
lvanghton, 81 Kant. !. II was amended
~ require . report IN two months and
No 5000 limit 70 expenditures TO be
nooe BY tt as.remOved. @~.--.,.....-
There Was mo serious opposition
senator Weadock, of Saginaw. moved
10 Ak the limit Of expense at 500 900
nm mere followed one or the harm.
less tits In which the senators fire.
>Qusutly indulge. Murtha, OF Detroit, !
unmarked that II the senator from the |
Twenty-Second used less levity In dis !
cueslng important questions. his col |
aeaeues might take him more seri-
aously.
bill placing specific tax on auto !
mobiles passed the house II 70 ie.
mad been on the calendar more than a !
week and on several occasions has !
been fought over at length. AS Il now |
stands, owners Of cars up TO 80 horse |
power will pay $50 per horse power.
Cars running above that and IN 10 80
Will have assessed against them an al.
ditional $.25 for each horse power
over 30.
Cars Of higher power than 40 will