The Detroit times., 1913-01-02

the settler OF this new land ~. 4 the
Canadian government does a. Y lar
settlers Ia the northwest
Coed Roads.
II 4 ever lacked enthusiasm IN APP
pealing for good roads. I had an album
dant opportunity 10 re-enforce my en-
tthusiasm by riding over thousands of
miles or poor roads in Michigan dur
M, ,nEE the mo9ths o. September and oe-
state TO study the problem OF good
roads with reference to Immediate leg
lslation whereby this fundamental
feature OF transportation can be sub
stantially encouraged. ] think that
all viii agree with me that the fees
arising from automobile licenses
SHOULD be turned INTO inc hTgnwTy
fund.
Inspection OF Mines, Etc.
Gov. Osborn In his first inaugural
urged the legislature 10 enact further
laws 20 perfect and extend the system
OF regulation and inspection already
existing so as 90 reduce TO the mini
mum the number OF Injuries and
deaths from Industrial accidents. This
inspection should be taken out OF
politics and placed In the hands OF
experienced and competent men. un-
der the existing laws no provision ex-
lists for state inspection OF all mines A
stringent law should be passed for the
protection or all workmen engaged In
the business OF mining. and the en-
piV9 VI the IUOSl expert tOtu-
petent inspectors 60 enforce the pro-
visions OF this law.
Weights and Measures Law.
The present weights and measures
law was enacted in 1897 IL provides
that every town clerk shall keep a
set OF weights and measures and an
nually each year seal all the weights
and measures OF the township. re-
one sealed. For IS years town clerks
have failed 10 perform this function.
A modern weights and measures law
should be enacted. As the food In
spectors OF the dairy and food depart
ment daily visit the stores OF the state,
the law could be enforced by this de-
partment In very economic and efh-
Client manner.
Vicious tendencies seem 10 have
sprung up not only IN Michigan, but In
other states, whereby numberless
boards and unnecessary Offices have
been created. In not a few instances
this tendency has been encouraged in
order TO further partisan political in
terests. Whenever party has
achieved victory, participants have
never failed to clamor for Jobs as a
kind OF reward for their recognized en-
thusiasm. This tends 10 arouse sus-
picion In the minds OF the people. No
longer can any political party AFFORD
to encourage the old doctrine that ITO
the victor belongs the spoils ]. there
fore, suggest that every possible eff
fort be made by this legislature TO
abolish all useless boards and dis
pense with all offices that are not es-
sential 10 efficient government.
state salt Inspecfion.
According 10 the state inspectors
report for 1910 (the most recent re-
port ] could get) over $4,000 was coll
lected from the salt manufacturers OF
the state for inspecting" salt that
never was inspected. For this $4,000
no service was rendered the nanufac-
turer nor the consumer. BY all means
abolish this state salt Inspection farce.
InsRectiOn of OIL.
Advocates OF oil inspection say that
IL costs the state nothing and returns
TO the state an income. In 1911, SO
per cent or all fees collected was used
TO pay salaries OF inspectors and their
expenses 40 per cent went into the
state treasury. This is not an econ
oinical system for raising revenue. In
abolishing the present oil inspection
the retention OF one inspector to be
directed by the dairy and food depart
ment. HIS duty would be to make oc-
casional tests and investigate com
plants relating to poor oil.
state Live stock Sanitary Con,mission.
We have now state live stock san
ltary commission consisting OF three
commissioners and the state veterinar-
Ian. whose duties are to investigate,
when called on, Infectious and con-
tagious diseases OF various animals
The commission has no office at any
place or even a directing head. Its
members are scattered over the state
and not always readily accessible in
time OF need IL would seem as III
this commission might be abolished
and its duties transferred to the dairy
aud food department or to the agri-
cuituraI coffeEe and the veterinary de-
partment OF the college take charge
OF the same. thus saving duplication
OF ohces and at the same time making
the work OF the commission more ef-
fective.
Sanitary school Houses.
For more than quarter OF CEN
tury i have made careful study OF
the school houses in Michigan. The
majority of them are unsanitary and
unit for live stock" TO occupy. They
rarely furnish adequate light. never
furnish proper supply OF pure air.
are not comfortably heated, and. on
health OF school children II should
be remembered that the ordinary
school room, unlike the ordinary
dwelling room. is frequently occupied
by a very large number Of children.
Probably no one reform would exert
greater influence in reducing the death
rate OF children than would the con-
struction OF sanitary school houses.
Ordinarily. school officers know very
little about modern sanitation. II In
largely question OF how large a
pen" Is required 10 protect the boys
and girls from inclement weather A
law should be enacted whereby all
plans for school houses should be sub
mitted TO the superintendent OF public
instruction and secretary OF the state
board OF health. These officials would
approve OF the heating. ventilating.
lighting; In fact. OF all the sanitary es-
sentials before the contracts could he
entered into for construction. In
states where this plan has been pur-
sued satisfactory results have been
realized.
school Boards.
So far as possible. our educational
from partisan politics. In Michigan
we have not succeeded In doing this.
| suggest the enactment OF manda-
tory law providing for city boards OF
education OF not TO exceed seven mem
bers elected by the people at large.
such school boards should be super
visory and legislative IN their func-
ton and should have the appointing Of
two salaried executives, superinten-
dent and business manager each OF
whom shall be responsible for his par
ticular work.
Uniform system OF Textbooks.
Many states In the union have en-
acted laws for securing a uniform sys-
tern OF textbooks l would suggest
that the legislature make careful
study OF the results OF the Indiana
plan Barring the larger cities and
restricting uniformity of the eighth
grade schools, all the advantages that
we now realize could be secured. and
tens Of thousands OF dollars
Primary school Funds.
! agree with the declaration or the
Republicans in their platform I'm which