Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1913-02-13

marshaled their forces and the hear
ing included both sides OF the ques-
ton.
Whatever may be the result OF tho
proposition to submit the question
again to the people of the state at
an early date, true it is that the ef-
forts of the ants were nipped in the
bud by wide-awake methods that pre-
vented the advocates OF the move
ment being caught mapping.
To Assist the Poor Man.
One of the measures introduced
that is already attracting consider
able attention and which will IND
much favor when it comes TO show
down is that of Representative Hoi-
ioway of Grand Rapids. The plan
contemplates exemption from taxa
ton of homestead property up TO a
valuation of s1,5OS, for men with in
comes of 81 900 year or less. An
other provision is designed 10 assist
the poor man in the purchase OF a
home, by exempting persons buying
homes on land contracts on which
one-third or more has been paid on
the principal The bill is bound 10
be popular with the people at large,
but it is likewise sure to find opposi-
ton in the legislature and hard sled
ding is ahead for the proposition.
stenographic Report Killed.
The senate voted by large major
ity in favor Of stenographic report
of the legislative proceedings, but
4 the house killed the bill on the
ground that its benefits would not be
commensurate with the cost. In
! other words, its sentimental value
was considered greater than it's ma
terial value
I 1t is argued that the people Aave
fright to know just what their repre-
sentatives do Will considering leG-s-
IIlative measures and it is the plan 10
record all that is said In this way
members would be placed upon record
land their acts officially recorded II
salso is argued that it would prevent
misleading voting where sometimes a
fvote is changed after once taken and
when a member takes an opposite
Eccurse for Interior purposes.
But to all this argument the house
turned a deaf ear,
Hard for Free Text Books.
II present indications go for any
thing it is practically certain that the
free text book proposition, at this
session at least, will fail of material
ization. Unless there should be
powerful influence brought to bear
1.-THE measure will probably not find
ITS way out of the archives OF the
lhouse committee on education. The
Skeels free text book bill and the
TO the committee and consideration
Indefinitely deferred
Income Tax Legislation.
The perplexing problem Of an in
come tax has now come before the
iegislatIre. Representative SchLf-
fer introduced bill calling for a
graduated income tax for individuals
corporations, co-partners, etc. The
graduation starts at $1,000 per year
with tax Of one per cent and in
screases at the rate of one-quarter Of
sone per cent with every additional
Isl 900 Of annual income until $4,000
IFS reached
This bill is sure to precpitate q
lbig fight. 1t is the first measure Of
the kind introduced at this session
and if i. runs the gauntlet of the com
tmittee 1t will be in luck, Judging
from sentiments already expressed
amendment to Mortgage Tax Law.
A new amendment to the mort
gage tax law has been introduced by
Representative Holcomb Of Montcalm
county. The bill calls for a filing fee
of 10 cents per 500 for the face Of
the mortgage for each year of the
term o! the instrument. If at the
end OF the term some of the mort
gage remains unpaid affidavits may
be taken as in the case Of chattel
, LuOl bSdSCo anu d pa luSuL vi ~ cen )
per 500 for the additional term Of
the mo 'tgage eXacted, the entire tax
to remain in the community where
fcollected.
Parcel Post Causes Big Saving.
Secretary of State Martindale has
demonstrated that the parcel post is
to save Michigan a vast amount OF
money. In one single item he saved
lat least $4,000 Heretofore license
pilates for automobiles have been
sent to owners by express and in all
scases In the country districts auto
owners were required to so to town
ito get the plates sent by the state
department The cost for shipping
has been 80 cents each. Under the
parcels post system the cost is but
no cents When it is considered that
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