The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1921-03-17
LANSING
LETT Err
COUNTY HOME RULE PLAN
LOSES OUT IN SENATE
Domination Of Cities Over County
Governments Feared; Another
Reform Measure Passed.
tlteom SCAR correspondent.l

government struck SHdB III Inc
senate when that body took up
final consideration Of Senator Phillips
Joint resolution to submit constitu-
tional amendment to a state referen-
dunn at the November, 1922, election
that would allow counties to vote on
adopting a commission plan. Nineteen
votes was all that could be mustered
for the Phillips resolution and 1t re-
quires 22, a two-thirds vote OF the en-
tire senate, to submit constitutional
amendment Ten votes were cast
against the resolution and three SEN
ators were absent.
MeNAUGHToN OPPOSES PLAN.
Senator McNaughton, of the rural
districts of Kent, the county in which
the idea originated, led the fight
against the resolution, declaring that
1t meant counties would be dominated
entirely by the cities in all counties
like Kent which have large cities.
call of the senate was resorted to in
order to keep senators in their seats
for what was considered the most i'm
portant roll call of the session up to
that time.
The vote was: Yes, Senators Baker,
Bolt, Brewer Condor, Eldred, Engel,
Forester, Hamilton, Hayes, Johnson,
Macarthur, McRae, Penney, Phillips,
Riopelle, Smith (2nd Dist.), Smith
9th Dist.), Wilcox and Wood-19.
No, Senator'S Anon, Bryant, Clark,
Davis, Henry, McNaughton, Osborn.
Ross, Sink and Vandenboom-10. Alb
sent, Senators Hicks, Lemire and
TUFTS.
Following it's failure of adoption the
resolution was tabled after a recon
sideration and it's sponsors will make
an effort to corral some more votes
for it before endeavoring to take It
from the table.
AGRICULTURAL BILL PASSED.
The bill to create a state depart
ment of agriculture, third of the
series designed to remodel the .on-
duct of state business, went through
the house of representatives the same
day that it was reported out from the
passed both in committee of the whole
and on third reading, under suspen-
sion of the rules.
In the new department, the bill pro-
vides, there will be consolidated all
state bureaus that concern agricul-
tural, livestock and horticultural mat
ters and the state fair will be under
its control. The department also is
designed to bring closer relations be.
tween producer and consumer. The
bill now is before the senate commit
tee on agriculture. II is to be follow
ed by two more administration mea
sures, the conservation bill and the
labor department measure.
Along the same lines there also is
being prepared measure to wip out
state institutional boards and have
their duties transferred to the state
administrative board and the depart
ments under which their institutions
naturally come. 1t further is planned
to have one master accountant to
keep track of the financial affairs OF
all the institutions and state farm
er" who will look after the farms and
the livestock owned by many of the
institutions. Some of these farms
now lose money for the state.
ADJUST BUDGET SYSTEM.
The budget system that so far has
not functioned as it was intended to
will be looked after by the state ad
ministrative board as well and the ser
vice of the budget director will be dis
pensed with 1t is planned to extend
the system to include even the state
university and agricultural college.
The bill to cover the deficiency
budget of the state has been com
pleted and introduced in the senate
cut down from S2,400,000 to $1,628,
600. Part OF the saving is the result
of the drop in general market prices
institutional requests for funds all be
ing based on last years prices. I'm
authorized salary raises helped ma
terially to create the deficiency, &C
cording 10 the statement from the ad
ministrative board to the Legislature
It is thought the present bill will
carry the state through this year nice
ly. but there may be the necessity o
a special session of the Legislature
next January to meet conditions then
To make the state administrative
board still more like a governors cab
met, Rep Dunn, Of Highland Park, in
troduced a bill in the house to hav'
the secretary of state, the state treas
nrer and the attorney general appoint
ed by the governor, instead OF elected
ENDORSE OCEAN ROUTE.
one of the reasons for the move
ment to abolish institutional board
of control is found in the frequen
investigations by legislators int
conditions under present methods c
management. Investigations into tn
conduct OF the boys industrial schoo
of the state pardon board and of tn
hniIdin0 Of the new state Office builC