The Yale expositor., 1913-02-27
Mr.. FLOWERS SECURES VOTES
IN PLENTY FoR THE WOMAN
SUFFRAGE AMENDMENT
TIE TRUNK LINE ROADS IDEA IS
RECEIVING SUPPORT.
4 Compromise on the School Text
Book Bills Prcbable-Tne Initia-
tive and Referendum Bill to
Be Reported.
BY Gurd M. Hayes.

/
troit, the advocates of equal suffrage
| rallied ~ votes in the house, five more
than the required two-thirds majority,
and passed the concurrent resolution
| 10 submit the constitutional amend
ment to the voters o. Michigan at the
April election. There were p votes in
! opposition TO the suffrage amendment
IN the house. Efforts TO amend the
resolution so as TO submit the propo-
sition in 1914 failed.
| Supporters of the suffrage amend
ment claim that they will have the
| required two-thirds majority when the
resolution comes up for consideration
| in the senate, and then the decision
will be left to the people of the state.
! Although they were defeated last fall
| by a narrow margin the suffrage work
ers are confident that they will win
| in the contest this spring as they are
! depending upon large vote in the
rural districts.
Governor Ferris is an enthusiastic
supporter of equal suffrage and al
though it is not expected that he will
take the stump in behalf of the
women's cause. he has informed the
leaders that he Will do everything in
his power TO assist them.
In bill introduced by Rep. VIM. J.
Baird, of Bay county, is seen a broad
legislative plan to put into operation
the plan of Senator Alswede for a sys-
ten OF trunk line highways TO be built
by the state.
take in the various districts not ill.,
cluded at first seems TO have the al
most general approval OF the legisla-
ture and since it is admitted that the
cost can and willingly will be borne
by the automobilists OF the state,
concerted demand is being made for
the carrying out Of the Alswede idea.
Rep. Baird is one of the most infil-
entail members Of the house and has
taken upon himself the leadership Of
the plan on that side of the legsla-
ture. His bill provides that the state
may bond for not exceeding 100000
for the trunk line highway. 1t car
ries provisions for sinking fund 10 be
reimbursed from the automobile tax
OF the state and experts have figured
that the roads may be built at once
and paid for by the automobiles using
them within period OF not more than
three years.
Senator Grace, Of Kalamazoo, one of
the democratic members Of the upper
house has opened up the fight agains,
the Michigan Bonding and Surety COIN
that will enable any incorporated
surety company to supply liquor bonds.
Under the present statute no corpor-
alton with q capitalization of less than
| 100000 may engage in the business
! of furnishing liquor bonds. ii was al
this corporation that former Governor
Osborn directed his fire IN the special
sessions a year ago.
Senator Grace is chairman of the
liquor committee in the house and his
action in starting a fight against the
bonding company occasions no little
surprise. 1t is apparent that there will
be a fight ii the measure comes out Of
the committee. as the corporation in
question is well fortified for battle
and has. considerable political strength.
In all probability il will be neces-
sary for the supporters Of the uniform
text book bill and the free text book
bill &c compromise on measure be-
fore it is possible to get any sort of a
measure through the present legs-
lature. This Is the result Of hearing
when arguments were advanced in
favor of the free text book law.
Senators say that the rural districts
are strongly in favor of the uniform
| text book scheme while the cities and
ommunitieJ having graded schools are
| equally firm in their advocacy or the
| free text book bill. In view OF this sit
uation it has been suggested that per-
| haps compromise may be arranged
! under which those communities desir-
| ing TO maintain or establish s. free text
| book system could be exempted from
/ the provisions of a uniform text book
| law.