The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1917-01-11
Legislature Likely to
Alter System of
Government
PURE MATTRESS"
BILL LAUNCHED
Appointments of Gov.
Sleeper Confirmed
by SOlOns


LANSING Mlch--Ian-l 1t h.
/ gins 70 look as tho the manner IN
which townships are conducted thru
our Michigan will get as much OF the
imeligh in this legislature as city
government methods have been in
be- habit OF getting IN preceding
legislatures. Many bills designed 10
better the conduct OF township AZ
fairs have already been introduced
and numerous others are promised
for the near future
Rep Patrick O'Brien. OF Iron
River, will introduce proposed
amendment 10 the constitution in
tended 10 bring all townships up 10
date in the matter OF road building.
He declares that many thousands OF
dollars are wasted annually on poor
roads by townships because there ~
/ little method used in spending the
money lie proposes that the cleo
( tive job o. township highway com
missioner shall be abolished and
I that In place Of these commission
ers men shall be named by the
township trustees who know how 10
do nc work and Who will do il un-
dor the general guidance Of tho
county surveyor
Rep O'Brien does not charge that
all Of the 300 or more township
I highway commissioners IN the state
are lacking IN efficiency but that
enough of hem are 10 interfere
WITH he right kind of good roads
( progress Therefore he would DO
away with them as elective officials
and systematic the work under
county auspices. just as county road
work every whore is being sys-
tomaiized under state auspices.
Rep OBrien also does not like
the way township tax assessments
/ are altered Sometimes they are
/ changed when the taxpayer isn't
I looking he says. and the taxpayer
I has no chance 10 End IL out until
taxpaying time. when he emits
roar that does him no good except
: 20 let off steam If the tax assess
ments were published when pre-
I pared for tho board of review and
subject after official publication TO
no change except as ordered by the
board of review. conditions would be
much better, says Mr. O'Brien. He
has bill ready to introduce that
will provide for this
Three township bills and one pro
posed constitutional amendment
made their appearance in the legis-
lature Yesterday afternoon bill
by Rep. Wells would permit town
ship boards 10 raise or borrow as
much as $1,000 annually 10 defray
necessary expenses where the peo-
pie Of the township had failed to
make necessary provision Another
by Rep Hulse. would put township
presidents and trustees on salaries
OF not 20 exceed one dollar for each
meeting actually attended by them.
| and not 10 exceed $50 a year under
any circumstances.
Senator Condor. OF Detroit. intro.
duced a hill to have the polls open
In townships until y 70 on pri.
mary election DAYS AZ present most
Of them close az o. m Senator
Cover introduced a proposed amend
ment 10 have township officers elect.
Cd for two years. instead OF every
year. in the interests OF efficiency
Senator Condor also introduced
his pure mattress" bill. designed
10 halt in their tracks the kind of
mattresses that are apt TO walk
away with an unsuspecting sleeper.
\ Condor bill mattress must be
made Of sanitary goods, and not of
insanifary. unhealthy. old or sec
cnd hand material" Also il must
be properly tagged or branded by
tho manufacturer 10 show It's SAM
tary condition. and dealers Nh
handle II must observe the sanitary
requirements. Renovated mattresses
and comforts also must come up 10 I
the same specifications Any one I
who violates these provisions. II this +
bill is enacted into Law. will be sub
Jet TO penalties as high as $500. or
elk months Imprisonment, or both
fine and imprisonment.
Senator +. V Smith. in the son.
ate, and Rep. Weissert. in the house, |
each introduced a bill for non.
partisan commission OF three men to |
revise and consolidate the laws In /
relation 10 corporations and 20 pre- /
parc any new laws to 40 with them. |
The same TO be submitted To the gov |
crnor and later TO the next lcgis. !
lature The pay Of the commits.
sioners Is not fixed. but must be /
reasonable" and be cared for by /
the state board of auditors.
-Four appropriation bills made /
their appearance yesterday. a fnnd |
OF $4,000 is asked 10 meet all IN. I
paid claims and balances Of claims /
left over from Tho Spanish war
days aud only partially cared Tor by \
ftrfpa.ftnr f.rfa1.tta... Al Il