The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1913-01-24


ment. Several other important prop
ositions were considered and these
will be brought to lisht as the session
/ progresses.
Civil Service Law VIII Pass.
There seems now to be little, II
any, doubt that very early in the ses-
sion a measure will be enacted pro-
viding for civil service among en-
ployes of the state.
Senator Verdier, of Grand Rapids.
has presented bill that is one of
the strongest in existence copied
largely after the Colorado law. The
democratic platform calls for civil
service and the party is pledged to
that reform, but as the proposed law
would give immediate effect the
plums expected at the hands Of the
administration will go a-glimmering
The Verdier bill is one of the most
pronounced and far-reaching of any
of its kind in any state, taking in
about every Office in the employ of
the state, even down to the grade Of
laborers who must be employed in &C.
cordance with the priority of their
applications. 1t calls for a non-parti-
san and non-salaried board of three
civil service commissioners to be ap-
pointed by the governor, the secre-
tary to receive salary of $4,000 as
the executive officer. The proposed
commission Is to enact rules and reg
ulations to classify the various grades
Of employment and to establish suit
able examinations. There is much
detail about the measure, but it is
comprehensive and calculated to ac-
complish that which it seeks.
AS all parties represented in the
house and senate are pledged to civil
service. it is scarcely likely that there
will be any serious difficulty in the
passage of the law. Should it be EN-.
acted the present employees of the
state will be able to hold their jobs
without further fear of political up
heavals, or so long as their faithful
ness shall endure.
Labor Legislation.
That there will be some effective
legislation for the benefit of labor
generally is conceded But just what
the specific result of present plans
will be is at this time a matter of
conjecture.
There is set purpose to change
the laws governing child labor. Hours
OF labor for women and children will
be given consideration. Regulation
Of the number OF hours women and
children shall be employed in the
street trades, canneries and other in
dustrial employments will be de-
manded. And measure will he in
troduced providing for mine inspec-
ton for the protection of workmen;
also for boiler inspection and a COM
mission to fix minimum wage scale
Among other bills the labor depart
ment and representative heads of
labor organizations will consider will
be the compensation OF mothers bill,
hotel inspection and others of kindred
intent.
The legislative labor conference
has met with Labor Com.
missioner Powers to outline plan to
be followed and the measures enum-
Grated were agreed upon. The meet.
Ing was attended by several repre-
sentative women Of the state.
A bill has been prepared by the
legislative committee Of the Michigan
district Of the United Mine Workers
to present to the legislature. 1t deals
with conditions Of miners and en-
bodies many features that are calcu-
lated to promote the welfare OF mine
workers.
Statewide Prohibition.
The senate and house are squarely
up against condition which they
cannot side.step. Nothing that has yet
come before the legislature at this
session has attracted such universal
attention as the introduction OF a
statewide prohibition resolution for
amendment
During the past four years every
candidate for public Office has been
with this proposition, and |
nv" 'hoe shS bio'tti 10
with the view Of allowing the people |
10 express themselves upon the ques.
ion, the Anti-Saloon League has not
been slow to grasp the situation and |
has taken this means of putting the
house and senate to the test
The pressure will be particularly |
heavy upon members representing |
districts divided between the wet and |
Try interests.
Amendment to Liquor Laws.
Auditor General Fuller in his an |
1ual report to the governor says that |
he general liquor law should be
in so far as it relates to the
license of nonresident liquor dealer,
Is there are many who have not taken
'ut licenses If possible, he says, it
should be misdemeanor for any re-
all dealer to purchase liquor from
dealer.
Contests Settled.
AS all the contests were settled by |
he retention Of their seats by mem
,ers whose election was declared to