The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1917-02-02
letter FROM
STATE CAPITOL
AND "MOlST" BILLS
NOW BEFORE HOUSE LIQUOR
COMMITTEES.
"ARID" AND DAMP" MEASURE
Railroads Began to Figure Strongly
In Poceedings-Other Important
Legislation.
(By w. L. CALNON.)


of drafting the laws to provide the
machinery tn carry out the popular
vote of last November for statewide
prohibition-6nally is under way.
At the outset of their work on pro-
hibition laws the state lawmakers
have been faced with the problem
which has been under discussion about
the state since the prohibition majc .
ity was counted. That is whether res
state should be "bone dry or retain
a degree OF "n'oistness." When one
prohibition bill was introduced in the
house, another followed right on it's
heels. The tive represent the diver
gent lines of thought in regard to pro-
hibitory laws.
The first bill introduced was that
prepared by attorneys for the Anti
Saloon league. che league has h.
a position against bone dry iekts-
lation, holding that "wets" are more
eager for bone 6ryness than anyone
else, on the theory that it will cause
a reaction in public sentiment and re-
suit in the state reversing its decision
for prohibition.
To the average man who drinks, the
Anti-Saloon league bill must appear
real dry, but it is not quite as dry at
that, as was the one which followed
1t into the legislative bill files. The
leagues bill would allow an individual
to get pint of whiskey or other
spirituous liquor IT. a month. Or he
could get a gallon of wine or three
gallons of beer in month.
The league bill also provides for the
creation of state department OF pro-
hibition, with a commissioner deputy
commissioner and inspectors to see
that the laws are enforced. Doctors
are limited to prescriptions OF six
ounces whiskey and druggists cannot
refill prescriptions. Stringent penal
ties are provided for doctors and drug
gists who VI 3a'y the law.
The Anti-Saloon league bill was in
troduced by Rep Merlin Wiley, of the
500, who was one of the attorneys
who helped draft it, The bone dry
bill that followed it was introduced
by Rep. George e. Macarthur, of Eaton
Rapids. This bill is much the same
as the league bill in its plUvsi no IA
TO doctors, druggists, etc, and In its
penalties, but il differs radio lily in
two chief ways.
First, it would allow no imports of
liquors whatever for beverage, pur-
poses, thus cutting off the pint of
"booze" or gallon Of wine or case Of
beer per month. Secondly, It puts the
enforcement of the law up to state
marshal instead of to a department
of prohibition The bill provides that
the state game wardens department
be transferred from the public domain
commission to a state marshal, who
shall also have charge of the enffce-
ment of the liquor laws. 1t provides
that the governor shall name the mar
shall. just as he used to name The
game warden until two years go,
when the game department was ut
in with the public domain comtis-
sion.
The bills now are before the no W.
LIQUOR committee. The senate H. or
committee 10 meeting with the hose
committee during its consideration, so
as to be able TO expedite work on tie
bill when it reaches the senate. TAe
committees are holding meetings thr,e
days week and expect that fey
weeks time will be need before they
can report out bill.
Next in interest to the prohibitiol
bills during the past week among th1
lawmakers was the acute situation IN
regard to coal. From every part OF
the state came demands, requests or
pleas for coal and for some action 10
wards getting an adequate supply. As
q result the state railroad commission
made a direct plea to the interstate
Commerce Commission in Washington
to lift the burden and to aid in get.
ting coal through the Toledo and otter
yards so that it can get into Miclt.
gan. The interstate body was assrTd
by the state commission that the cal
cars would be handled with ra,idlty
by the Michigan roads and the smpty
cars hurried back to the roads that
own them.
In the senate a resolution was pass
ed that requested the attorney gen.
eral to make an inquiry as to the
causes of the coal famine. in Mchi-
gan. The senators are DESTROYS Of
finding a way, If possible, In with 70
exert the influence Of the legislature
against any possible recurrence tee
coal situation this wintb-
Appropriation L.ls included the fo'-
lowing:
Pontiac state hospital: $4,000 Tor
paving assessment.
Northern state ,r,nal schooi, MET
ouette: ss5,O32 a year maintenance
and 1888 for new site and built
ing.
Tubo, splosie 100000.
Covernor,s in Lansing:
$4,000. -
Industrial school for boys: $136,Ooe
for 1918 and s14f for 1919.
Farm Color a. pileptics: $685.
665 for establish 9nt.