Charlevoix county herald., 1921-02-11
SENATE PASSES
new AUDIT PLAN
FIRST OF GOVERNORS REFORM
MEASURES APPRovED; CHANGE
IN ADMINISTRATIVE BILL.
INQUIRY OF LOBBYISTS ASKED
Legislators Face Demand for Rigid
Economy, Also Biggest Budget
In States History.

Lanslng--The bill to change. the
methods of state accounting. sub
mitted early in the session with the
governors administrative measure.
was passed by the senate late last
week after its third reading.
This bill brings all claims under
control of the auditor general and the
administrative board, exception being
made only in the case of expenses in
the office of the auditor general itself.
Cabinet Plan Near Vote.
The bill to create an administrative
board composed of the Governor and
elective state officers was reported out
following a joint session of the COM
mittees on state affairs of both houses,
which was attended also by Governor
Groesbeck and other officers who will
become members Of the new body If
the measure is passed.
The only amendment of Importance
was made at this joint meeting, upon
the suggestion of Governor Groesbeck
himself. The change permits the
mobilization of state employees in de-
partments where, due to the season
of the year or other causes, the great
est amount of work is to be done.
at ofteh occurs" said Governor
Groesbeck that one department will
have practically nothing to do at a
time when some other department is
swamped with work and needs addi-
tional help. Why not shift such en-
ployes as can be spared from the idle
departments to those pressed for help,
rather than allow some to sit idle
while outside help must be obtained
for others
Lobbyists Hamper Work.
Investigation of alleged unlawful
lobbying is asked in a resolution pre-
sented in the house by Rep. Fred +.
Dunn. Highland Park. The resolution
calls for appointment of commit
tee of five, with full powers to call
witnesses to inquire into the activities
Of lobbists and their interest in bills
pending before the house.
The resolution was drawn up upon
request of Speaker Fred H. Warner,
who said the house was becoming
congested with lobbyists who inter
fered with the work of the present
session.
Rep. Lemons bill which would pro-
hibit the use of firearms to aliens was
presented last week. IL is intended
as a game and bird protection meas
ure and provides that an unnaturalized
foreign born resident of the state can
not lawfully have in his possession or
home a shotgun, rifle or pistol.
More Revenue for U. Of M.
Further financial aid for the Uni
versity is provided in bill intro.
duced in the house by Rep. Peter b.
Lennon, Genesee county The bill
raises the mill tax from three-eighths
to fve-eights OF a MILL which will
mean added revenue to the university
of $1,130,000 annually. The bill was
introduced at the request of President
Burton of the University.
Defendants in criminal actions in
appealing their cases to the supreme
court must now file a printed copy of
the case and Senator Condor, Detroit,
has introduced bill which provides
that a certified copy of the record as
prepared by the court stenographer
may supplant the more expensive
record.
Would Ban Cost-Pius.
Cost-plus contracts would be out
lawed so far as the state, counties and
municipalities are concerned by a bill
introduced by Senator Bayard G.
Davis, Paw Paw. It provides that all
such contracts entered into hereafter
for construction of public work shall
be null and void. "These contracts
are costing the public millions of dol
lars" said Senator Davis. "They cost
my county $4,000 last year. 1t is to
the interest of persons taking such
contracts to make public works as ex.
pensive as possible
Circuit and justice court witnesses
would receive a per diem increase in
fees IL the bill introduced by Rep.
Peter Jensen, Escanaba, passes. It
would increase the amount from &c
would increase the amount from 75c
to So per day in justice court and 81
and SO per day in circuit court.
Senator w. A. Lemire, Escanaba,
believes that probate judges in coun.
ties of over 10000 should be licensed
attorneys and has introduced bill to
that affect in the senate. II exempts
probate judges now in office.
"Road Hog" Bill Presented.
Rep. Francis B. DeWitt's bill, com.
monty referred to as the Road Hog
bill, has the distinction OF being the
first to be favorably reported In the
house, 1t provides a penalty for driv.
ers of trucks who refuse or neglect to
turn aside sufficiently to leave passen.
ger cars pass on public highways.
Residence of at least six months
in the state would be required before
any person could obtained employ
ment at public work, according to q