The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-01-22
yerdier Bill introduced in Lans-
ing Has Radical Suggestions
Affecting Detroit
5 PER CENT PETITION
FOR CHARTER ELECTION
Would Allow Condemnation of
Public Utilities and Piece
meal Revision
From a star Correspondent.

LANSING, Mich, Jan. 2Z.--Among
yesterdays additions 10 the rapidly
growing volume OF bills proposed in
the Legislature is one by Senator
Verdier, sixteenth district. vitality af-
fecting Detroit in that 1t suggests
radical changes I'm the home rule"
law. The provisions OF this act are
made more liberal all along the line
The calling OF an election by initia-
tive petition for the purpose OF chang.
ing the charter requires the signature
OF 25 per cent of the electors at pres
ent, and the signing has to be done
at the polling places, whereas by this
bill the necessary number Is five per
cent With the permission OF circulat.
ing petitions. Ii is further provided
that both the nomination and election
OF charter commissioners are to be
made nonpartisan
Substantial changes are put for
ward In tie way Of facilitating the
introduction OF municipal ownership
by allowing condemnation OF public
utilities where now they can be tax.
en- over only through bargaining with
the private owners. The bonds issued
10 pAy for. such property acquired
either by condemnation or purchase
may be secured not only by the
plant and franchise values, but also
by the credit OF the city up to one
per cent OF its property values.
The bill includes the clause for
piecemeal revision of charters which
was declared unconstitutional before
the adoption last spring OF an amend
ment 10 allow Ii. Cities are also TO
be permitted TO vote on changes In
-. al Huh orlx m 40 n
once in two years and the required
majnIity 70 carry such measures Is
reduced f:om two-thirds to three
nfths. The same reduction IL made
n the vote necessary in the proposal
Of charter changes by the city coun-
ell
Rep. Dunn. of Sanilac, again at.
fracfed attention In the house by q
hill to provide for a textbook COM
mission and uniform textbooks In the
public schools of the state. This
question IL likely to prove the basis
OF one OF the sharp contests OF the
session. IN its recent meeting, the
State Teachers association put itself
on record al opposed to the uniform
ity plan and suggested instead the
Furnishing OF books at public ex-
pense.
Rep. Dunn IL chairman of the COM
mittce on education and is anxious TO
see such Q bill passed this year. He
said yesterday: Il have been a super
intendent' of schools and know the
book question from the school mans
side; but find that his view does
not always correspond with that OF
the persons who buy the books What
the parents OF the children want Is
uniformity and cheaper books and
not free textbook bill"
TIE proposed comm ission OF seven,
Is to consist OF the governor. the
president Of the State Normal col
legc, head OF the department Of
English, OF Mt. Pleasant Normal, the
state superintendent OF public IL
struction aud two members to be
named by the goyeypsr. or these
one must be school commissioner
and the other q superintendent OF
schools
The bill fixes the price TO be
charged for the different books and
provides that they shall not be
charged within FIVE years.
Senator Rosenkrans, fourteenth dis |
trict, proposed the creation Of state |
board Of censors to pass on AL |
stereoptican views offered for sale
and the ilms or reels to be used in
moving picture shows; the board to
consist OF two members appointed by i
the governor. or these the chief Gen.
sor Is to be man at salary Of 81
500, and the assistant censor q wo-
man at salary OF $1,000.
Senator Rosenkrans also introduced |
q bill to allow state aid OF from $3.50 |:
to $500 TO public schools Of II grades
Tor the establishment OF Industrial
and trade courses Of study.
A bill 10 appropriate s4S1 900 for
maintainence, new buildings. repairs u
and other expenses of the Central
Michigan Normal school was intro
duced by Senator Walter, twenty
seventh district.
Senator McNaughton, seventeenth |
district, sent No a bill to raise the |
salary Of the superintendent of the
soldiers home, and another TO make
the biepnial appropriation for the
same. Similar bills we're introduced
IN the house by Rep. McPhillips, Of
Saginaw.
Rep. Skeels, OF Oceana, proposed
two minor changes In the election
laws 10 allow candidates to file con-
tests by proxy.
Other bills were: To prevent ex-
tension OF credit by retail liquor
dealers and to deny them the use OF
the courts 70 collect the same, Rep.
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