The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1917-01-04
Would Replace Rail
Board With Body
of Wider Power
LAWLESSNESS
is CONDEMNED
Construction of State
Office Building
Is Urged


ing members OF the house and sen
ate assembled in joint session. Gov.
Albert r. Sleeper today delivered his
inaugural message 20 the Michigan
legislature. He urged stringent
but sensible" laws 10 make the pro-
hihltior amendment effective: pris-
cu reform by separation OF young
unfortnnates from the older and
more hardened criminals. abolition
q the present state railroad com.
miysion and creation OF i,s stead Of
public service commission 10 have
supervision over ell public service
corporations. including gas. electric
and power companies, erection ~
state once building 20 take care of
the overflow fronn~-the capital, and
state aid 20 dependents OF national
guardsmen
The message was brief In short.
powerful sentences The governor set
forth his ideas Of tho legislation
which should be enacted az the pres.
ent session.
"Our p-esFing need is not more
laws. rather fewer but better en-.
forcement OF eNi,ilng statutes and
better administration OF pirblic bust
inrss." GOV SlceTer told the law
makers SA
~ no governor dismissed the a.iim
por'ant prohibition legislation ques
uon Ni'h Just IS worde, wher nc
said
The prohibition amendment
adopted ry large vote Al cul re
cent ,leciion demands thc enact
mont OF stringent but sensible laws
10 mako the Mill u lhe people clcc=
tive"
Authorization for appointment BY
III, governor Of committee ~ three
o. nve member. TO investigate feast.
hliy of mdrct system for The
state finances. was asked hy slsep.
- Hc urged that budgrf legisla.
ton be accomplished st the present
session '-
Discussing 'he need ot new
state Office building. the executive.
declared
II earnestly urge legislation 10
authorize the construction OF suit
ablo Office building FOR the state do
paftments which cannot be accom-
modated IN lhe capitol. so that the
public business may hc promptly
and efficiently transacted win min.
imum 81 expense, and so iha, all de-
psrtments viii be- easily accessible
10 Tho public. As an economic meas
urc this building should appeal to
every tax rayer."
The governor announced that he
would withhold alI suggestions as
to the various state departments
until he had fimiIiarized himself
with their needs Thcse subjects,
he declared. he would take up in
later special messages TO the legisla
ture
Former Gov Ferris, in his eX.
augural address. urged appointment,
of state boards and similar govern
hVNi'0 WA'uOul IfLdIu w U'ilr
tics and urged greater attention 10
the conservation of natural 70.
sources lie advocated soil sur.
vey for Michigan, and urged fur
therance OF the good roads move.
ment
Housing conditions and the needs
Of the state Industrial schools were
among the matters recommended
for legislative action
GOV sleeper's address follows:
Our state is 20 be congratulated on
ts stable conditions. general pros
p~rltv and progressive laws our
pfcp9ing need IL not more laws rnth
~ fower hut better enforcement 81
existing statutes and botter admin.
txtration ~ public business ee
Tho agencies ~ the state should
be used to promote the best interests
nf tho r~arie with the leas, possible
Interference In their Individual ar
fairs Existing laws must he en-
forced obsolete and impractical
laws should he repealed many pres
ent necessary and beneficial laws
should he perfected
Commissions 10 consolidate revise
and rnoderniye laws on certain sub
1ects have he~n very successfui and
,Cs~tirs~d on rsHe rvsl