The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-01-07
Corporation Laws.

press rates.
Corporation Laws.
Our laws governing the formation
of corporations for profit are too
lax and should be amended SO as to
give better protection to the public
against those who take advantage
CT the weakness of the law to carry
Oh wild eat schemes.
Check Land Frauds.
Every county in Florida has
large quantity of rich. fertile land,
al d there is no reason why there
should be any land frauds in our
State. TO check the few who are
disposed to defraud and deceive land
| think We should have
. law providing for all literature
J., atiNc to lands TO be sold under
the colonization or kindred plans to
he first approved by the Department
of Agriculture the expense incident
t. this requirement to be paid by the
party selling the land.
Authorize Cities to Change Charters.
Much of the time of each session
CT the Legislature is consumed in
the consideration of city charter
measures TO relieve the Legislature
o: this work, and in order that the
people of the towns and cities may
have authority to make their own
charters and alter same, a constitu-
tional amendment removing this
authority from the Legislature and
vesting 1t in the towns and cities
should be submitted.
Initiative, Referendum and Recall.
1t is my opinion that cOnstitu-
tional amendment granting to the
people the right by petition to ini
tate legislation and the right by Pc
titiOn to vote upon laws enacted by
the Legislature, when desired and
expressed by a reasonable percentage
of the qualified voters, should be
submitted. Another and separate
constitutional amendment giving the
electors the right, upon demand of a
reasonable percentage of the quail
fled voters. to vote upon the recall of
public officers, should be submitted.
Publicity in Public Business
| favor the fullest publicity in the
administration of the public bust
ness. The people are entitled to
Know what their officers are doing.
A law is needed requiring that the
Biennial reports of the State officers,
with complete and detailed informa-
ton, be printed and distributed
among the legislators, the press and
the public at least thirty days prior
to the regular sessions of the Leg
islature. This would place the in
formation contained in these reports
In the hands of the legislators and
the public in time to be of service
nd benefit when the Legislature
onvenes.
Investment Of State School Fund
Prior to the last three years the
principal Of the State School Fund
was invested exclusively in State
bonds, paying an average of about
three and-one half percent, interest
This fund as it becomes available is
now being invested in Florida conn
ty and city bonds bearing an aver
age of about four and one-half nor
cent. I think We can get as much
as six or seven per cent. interest
upon this fund by investing i, in
county warrants when needed laws
are enacted to make such Investments
safe and thtreby increase the St,,e.s
income from this source mater;a,,v
Investment of Insurance Find.
1t is the policy of insurance com.
panies to invest their surplus funds
in Understanding securities This
icing true, it is my opinion that thev
should be required by law 10 invest
III Florida securities a reasonable
percentage of their net surplus from
Florida earnings.
Interest on Public Funds
At present, interest is required nm
State funds on deposit. the State re-
ceiving two and one-half per cent
On daily balances. The law shop,d
also require banks to pay interest