The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1913-01-03


IL ever lacked enthusiasm In 2p-
pealing for good ioads, | HAD an aDand-
Snt opportunity TO re-enforce my ell.
tnusiasm by riding over thousands OF
miles Of poor roads in Michigan our
ing the months OF September and Oc-
tober. | believe IL Is the duty OF the
state to study the problem of good
roads with reference to immediate leg.
islation whereby this fundamental
feature of transportation can be sub
stantially encouraged. think that all
will agree with me that the fees aris-
ing from automobile licenses should
be turned into the highway fund.
inspection Of Mines, Etc.
Governor Osborn In his first lnaug-
vral urged the legislature to enact
further laws to perfect and extend the
system of regulation and inspection
already existing 80 as to reduce to the
minimum the number of injuries and
deaths from industrial accidents. This
inspection should be taken out Of pol
itics and placed In the hands of ex-
perienced and competent men. Under
the existing laws no provision exists
for state inspection of all mines. A
stringent law should be passed for the
protection of all workmen engaged in
the business Of mining, and the en-
ployment Of the most expert and COM
petent inspectors TO enforce the pro-
visions of this law
Weights and Measures Law.
The present weights and measures
law was enacted in 1887. Ii provides
that every town clerk shall keep a set
each year seal all the weights and
measures Of the township receiving
therefor four cents for each one sea-
ed. For seventy-five years town clerks
tave failed to perform this function.
A modern weights and measures law
should be enacted AS the food inspect
Gre of the Dairy and Food Department
daily visit the stores OF the state, the
law could be enforced by this depart
ment in a very economic and efficient
manner.
Useless Boards: Obsolete Offices.
Vicious tendencies seem to have
sprung up not only in Michigan, but in
ether states whereby numberless
boards and unnecessary Offices have
been created. In not few instances
this tendency has been encouraged
in order to further partisan political
interests. Whenever party has
achieved a victory, participants have
never failed to clamor for jobs as a
kind of reward for their recognized
enthusiasm. This tends TO arouse sus-
picion in the minds OF the people No
longer can any political party afford
to encourage the old doctrine that
ITO the victor belong the spoils." |,
therefore, suggest that every possible
effort be made by this legislature 10
abolish all useless boards and dispense
to efficient government.
State Salt Inspection.
According TO the State Inspectors
report for 1910 (tlo most recent re-
port could get over $4,000 was col
lected from the salt manufacturers OF
the state for "inspecting" salt that
never was inspected For this $4,000
DO service was rendered the manu-
/ facturer nor the consumer. BY all
means abolish the State Salt Inspec-
ton farce.
Inspection of Oil.
Advocates of oil inspection say that
| Il costs the state nothing and returns
! &c the state an income. In 1911, GO per
cent of all fees collected was used to
1 pay salaries of inspectors and theiI
expenses; 1000 went into the State
! treasury. This is not an economical
system for raising revenue. In abolish
/ ing the present oil inspection system
PROVISIONS might be made for the re
tention of one inspector to be directed
! ty the Dairy and Food Department
His duty would be to make occasional
tests and investigate complaints re
iating 10 poor oil.
State Live Stock Sanitary Commission
We have now a State Live STOCK
Sanitary Commission consisting o.
three commissioners and the state vet
erinarian whose duties are to investi
gate, when called on, infectious anC
contagious diseases Of various ami
mails. The commission has 10 office a
any place or even a directing head
It's members are scattered over thu
state and not always readily accessa
bic in time of need 1t would seen
as If this commission might be abol
ished and its duties transferred to thu
Dairy and Food Department or to thu
Agricultural College and the Neteri
nary Department of the college TAKE
charge OF the same, thus saving
duplication Of Offices and at the sam'
time making the work of the commits
sion more effective.
Sanitary School Houses. =