Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1913-04-17

tee Of the whole practically as offer
ed. II was predicted that the meas
ure would not be seriously opposed
on third reading.
Teachers Pension Bill Passes.
In committee of the whole the
house also passed the teachers pen
sion bill with little opposition. The
main objection came from Repre-
sentative Copely of Detroit who pre-
exJudge Speed, providing that De-
troit teachers be exempt because
they were already on the local list Of
pensioners. Several amendments
were offered but all rejected.
Free Textbook Bill Agreed To.
Contrary to expectations there was
little opposition to the Odell free
textbook bill when it was reported
out in the house, although it was
believed Representative Dunn, whose
uniform textbook bill was defeated,
would line his friends up against it..
This and its companion bill intro
duced by Senator King were report
ed out together, both having passed
the senate.
M. A. c. Cuts No Increase.
The house ways and means COM
mittee used the axe upon the meas
ure of Senator Wordsworth providing
for doubling by taxation the source
of support for the Agricultural col
lege This was not movement to
deprive the college of it's just needs,
but was declared TO be unnecessary.
The committee believed the require
ments Of the institution would be
fully cared for.
Senate Grinding Hard.
The closing days of the session
witnesses refreshing activity in the
senate. During the past few days a
large number of important bills have
been disposed of. Included in the
list is the Monteith bill which re-
quires that municipalities and pri-
vate individuals desiring to construct
sewers and water systems submit
the plans to the state board Of
health. The bill was opposed by De-
troit members. Several important
bills amending the state banking
laws were also given final passage.
The bill of Senator Murtha author
iZing a farm colony for epileptics
was also passed. That of Senator
Walter prohibiting supplying liquor
to inmates of county infirmaries
passed the senate with little oppo-
hot
ate should give its immediate atten-
ton to all measures affecting public
utilities.
House Rushes Legislation.
That the house intends to rush
with all possible speed legislation
now pending is daily evidenced. This
was emphasized on the eve of the
weekend recess when % bills were
disposed of at one sitting. Among
the more important matters consid
cred was a resolution Of Repre-
sentative Clark providing by con-
stitutional amendment for the
abolishment of boards Of supervisors
and substituting therefore county
commissions with all the powers
now vested in boards OF supervisors.
This is the measure inspired by
Speaker Currie. 1t was passed by
with little opposition. Another
measure which has been the object
of warm consideration for years was
the anti-cigaret bill. Representative
Dunn's bill prohibiting the manufac-
ture, sale, giving away or otherwise
disposing of cigarets or cigaret pa
pers was passed in committee of the
whole, while devotees of the paper
pipes passed the Objectionable
smokesticks. The bill would exempt
jobbers who handle the product in
transit for other states. Representa-
tive Newell Smith argued against
this exemption but was advised that
it was placed in the bill to avoid
clash with the interstate commerce
commission. 1t is unlikely that the
bill will pass the senate.
Deputy Treasurer's Salary $780,
A good deal of discussion was oc-
casioned in the house when the bill
was reported out providing for rails
ing the salary of the deputy state
treasurer from $4,000 to $4,000.
There was a strong disposition by
some of the members to keep the
figure where it is, but when it was
argued that any man qualified to
handle such vasts sums as go
through the state treasury and whose
responsibility was so great was
worth at least the amount named.
Representative Farmer and Repre-
sentative Catlin were the chief op-
ponents to the proposed law. 1t was
finally passed as enacted by the
senate.
To Regulate Water Supply.
One of the bills introduced in the
senate which has attracted wide
spread attention throughout the
state is that of Senator Walter of
Grand Traverse. The bill author
ICES the organization of companies
to establish reservoirs in which to
store up the over supply of water
in the Michigan streams during