The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-01-11
WORK CONVICTS
ON THE CUT-OVER
TIMBER LANDS
Plan Is Suggested for Develop
ment of States Waste
Districts
PROPOSED, ALSO, TO
PERMIT COUNTIES TO BOND
Legislature to Deal With I'm
portant Question-Heller
Keeps His Seat
FrOm q stan correspondent-

fAfOHt v 1toH OOffSoPS"NN'Nf
LANSING, Mich. Jan. l0.-Two
ways OF carrying out Governor Ferris
suggestion OF state aid in the develop
ment OF the cut-over timber lands OF
Michigan, will be presented TO the
Legislature sometime in the next few
weeks. One is To permit the counties
70 bond themselves 10 pay for the
clearing and stumpage and to raise
the money to pay on the bonds BY
tax on the improved lands, as Is done
In the case Of drainage districts.
The other proposition is to have
the work done by establishing camps
or short term prisoners similar TO the
prospecting camps that are conducted
by the use OF convicts In Colorado.
II Is pointed out that northern Mich.
igan especially has towns and rail-
road facilities built up on disappear
ing lumber interests which are leay.
ing them without the support OF ade-
auate agricultural development
As the case now stands said e
w. Richardson, discussing the former
plan. Friday, the resolute hustling
farmer cannot AFFORD TO settle on these
lands In Michigan when the oppor-
tunity OF government aid over In Can.
ada is before him. The result is that
our settlers are mostly foreigners who
have not the means or ability TO meet
the situation in q competent manner
II the county could so TO man
that bought an so, say, and oner 10
clear 20 or 40 acres OF II. he could
begin farming and getting his returns
right of. The bonds would be made
| for a long term so that the assess
ments against the land would not De
burden to him. In this way the
much needed farming industry coula
be built up rapidly without apprecl-
able cost to anyone"
| The other plan, II Is argued, VIII,
as q by-product. be an acceptable
solution OF the problem confronting
many counties OF what TO do with w
tdays and six neatAsI prisoners This
larraneement would give Thorn healthy.
useful outdoor employment.
The sponsors OF these reforms feel
that. with the backing OF the COVER
nor. the disinterested patriotism OF
their purpose will carry them through
the legislature In its present spirit.
Upon the suggestion Of the superin-
ltendent of public instruction, Repre-
sentative J. n. Mcbride, CT Shiawas'
see, IL preparing bill calling for q
teacher OF manual training In each
county who shall go from township
to township instructing the boys OF
the rural communities In the arts OF
the forge and the carpenters bench.
Representative Louis Neller, OF
lIngham county, will retain his seat
| in the house The committee ap-
- tho pnnfogf
brought by A. B. Robertson, OF Lar
sing, completed its work Friday. The
recount uncovered no frauds. The IN
crease of Neiier's lead by seven votes
came chiefly through a different la.
lterpretation OF marks on certain OF
the ballots.
Only 10 Representatives answered
Ito their names at roll call. Friday
Afternoon. The faithful few applauded
vociferously when Rep. j. N. Nc
Bride took the chair in accordance
with the request OF Speaker Currie,
who has gone home TO Middleton, TIL
Monday
The temptation to mix little fun
with the dreariness OF so much wait
ing was almost too great TO be over
come. A motion 10 put the house un-
der call and dispatch the acting
leeFgeantat.arms in search OF mem
bers absent without leave had been
made when Rep Edwards, OF Hough
lton. who will preside tomorrow, was
forethoughtful enough to shut on the
horseplay by a motion to adjourn.
Gov. Ferris said his conference with
lis representatives OF the Michigan
Brotherhood OF Locomotive Engineer
was very happy conference and thai
II was fruitful OF several good sug
gestions for legislation. The engineers
4 left expressing themselves as pleas
antly surprised to find the chief exc
cutive such considerate and unas
Stunning man.
After an informal meeting witt
4 members of the pardon board, tn
governor said there Will be no chang'
OF policy with regard to the work o
the board. except perhaps TO make
freezer use OF the parole in cases Of
4undoubted merit. $1,000 SCOTT.