The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1915-04-02

btory declares emphatlcally that
these members told him they knew
that the railroads had q "slush' fund
and that railroad lobbyists were
bringing all kinds of influence to bear
on legislators.
The question Is now one OF veracity
between the newspaper man and the
representatives, just as is the ques-
ton between Glasgow and the news
paper man who claims to have Sc
cured an interview from him.
All Newspaper Men Summoned.
All the regular newspaper CORE
spondents have been summoned to
appear before the committee this
week and tell what they know con-
corning the various charges. The
committee sits with all the power of
court and urged on by Gov. Ferris.
who demands the deepest possible in
vestigation. will undoubtedly get to
the bottom OF the matter.
sili Reported Out.
Right in the midst Of all the ex-
element caused by the explosion In
the house and senate, the railroad
committees of the two bodies report
ed out q sliding scale railroad In.
crease bill with the mmsndations
that It pass.
The measure would permit three,
two and one-half and two-cent fares
in Michigan. 1t Is based on the earn
ing capacities of the various roads.
Under this bill all roads with q pas
senger earning capacity OF more than
$4,000 a mile may charge two cents
per mile, those with an earning ca
pacity Of between 81 500 and $4,000
may charge two and one-half cents,
and those earning less than $500 a
mile may charge three cents. This
means that Upper Peninsula roads
will be allowed to charge three cents,
if the bill should pass, and that prob
ably all roads in the Lower PENN
sula except the Grand Trunk, Michi-
gan Central, Wabash and the Grand
Rapids e Indiana will be allowed to
charge two and one-half cents.
The bill is not Endorsed by the rail-
roads, and the lobbyists who are here
say that it will not be of much as !
to them. Some of the roads '
which would be allowed to charge
two and one-half cents mile would
be forced to compete with two-cent /
roads along certain branches, which /
would mean that they could not in
crease their fare to the point allowed
by law and continue to hold their
business.
The bill was withdrawn tenn
porarily after being reported out,
but with the understanding that it
was to again be presented to the
house, and that it was to take prece-
lence over all other railroad rate
bills.
Has Injured Roads Chances.
There can be no doubt, it is claim
ID by leaders in the house and senate,
hat whatever chance the railroads
lad Of receiving relief has been killed
~ the notoriety which has surround
ID the charges which have developed.
Whether or not there is found to
re any evidence in support of the
harges that "slush" fund has been
sed, and whether or not it is found
hat Mr.. Cunningham has any rela-
ions with the railroads, the odor
which will still surround the entire
will be such that the
of a legislative relief bill
5ill be next to an impossibility.
OdeiI Bill Passes.
AS was predicted in these columns
everal weekes ago, the legislature
assed the Odell bill over Gov. Ferris
eto, giving it immediate effect, and
ne measure is now law.
The effect of this bill, which was
Introduced early in the session by
enator Odell, is to abolish the game
arden's department and place it's du-
es and it's responsibilities in the
ands of the public domain commits
on.
Gov. Ferris held the measure un-
er consideration for nine days and ;
len sent notice to the house and
,nate that he had vetoed it, The
vo bodies received the notice about
o'clock in the morning. BY $3.50
the afternoon both of them had |
assed it over the governors veto, c
lie senate by vote of % to 3, and t
e house by vote of S5 to 8. d
This is the first time since the adj 7
inistration of Gov. Pingree that the {
gislature has passed a bill over the y
Ito of a chief executive. The ballots
ere cast on party lines entirely, not ;.
republican voting against the "
easure in the senate, and only four
publicans voting with the governor
the house.
Good Job Is Vacant. :.
For the first time in over two years q
ere is a good job yawning for a Ii
Drthy democrat. Heretofore there g
I've been a half-dozen applicants for n
cry position, but this time there is :
parently not democrat who is ELI :,
BILE. The place open is the Office of !,
rcuit judge of the twenty-third iu- u
cial circuit, which comprises the v
unties of Oscoda and Iosco The II
rcuit judge there died, leaving a va a
ncy which must be filled by the s,
vernor's appointment, and it is said II
at every one of the lawyers in the
o counties is a republican.
Ready to Quit Soon.
With the house machine now going ps
full tilt, the slack i'm the legislative :,