Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1921-02-17
STATE POLICE IN
CHARGE At IONA
FIvE-YEAR TERM OF OFFICE TO
BE CONSIDERED AS CURE
FOR PRISON ABUSES.
MAY ADOPT CORPORATION TAX
Senate Approves Governors Admins.
trative Board Plan; Sentiment
for Direct Primary.

Lansing.-That the Michigan Re-
formatory at lonia was conducted as
a workhouse instead of reformatory
is the conclusion of the legislative
committee, accompanied by Governor
Groesbeck and Attorney General
Wiley. after a personal investigation
and examination of the institution
and its inmates.
Otis Fuller, warden for p years.
handed in his resignation TO the Gov
ernor early last week and the resigna-
tions of Jerome Walker, acting war
den. Walter Rich. captain of the night
guard, DR. h. +. Beckwith, reforma-
tory physician and two members of
the board of control were announced
soon afterward.
Dungeons and Stripes Discarded.
Major Robert L. Marsh. head of the
State Police. was placed in charge as
temporary warden and several mem
bers of the state police force replaced
guards against whom charges of
are now pending. Major Marsh has
announced several changes which
were put into effect as soon as he
took charge. Dungeons and stripes
were discarded and the educational
facilities of the institution are to be
expanded. DR.. Richard III. Olin, state
health officer, will remain at the re-
formatory to direct the medical exam
ination of the inmates something that
has been sadly neglected according TO
the testimony before the investigating
committee.
Following his return TO the capitol,
the Governor announced that a re-
port of the investigation would not
be made to the legislature until Otis
Fuller, former warden. and his attor-
ney. George f. Nichols. have had an
opportunity TO go over the testimony
Mr.. Fuller has issued a statement in
which he promises to submit testi-
mony which will show up the matter
in it's true light Il simply ask that
the public await the time OF full hear
ing before passing judgment either
way" said Mr.. Fuller.
Limitation of the terms OF prison
wardens as a means of preventing
conditions that developed at Ionia, is
now being discussed by the committee
and other representatives, who be-
lieve that the presents system of un-
hn Of a
penal institution for the work he has
TO do by hardening his nature through
constant contact with conyicts.
Combine Corporation Acts.
The new corporation act, which is
a recodification of Michigan's corpora
ton laws, was introduced by Rep.
George Lord, Detroit. The act covers
113 pages of typewriter copy, being
drafted in the attorney-generals de-
partment. part of it having been
drawn up under the administration of
Mr.. Groesbeck and completed by Mer-
lin Wiley.
Rep DAM offered an amendment to
the general motor tax law, raising the
tax on weight from S5 cents to 81 per
hundred.
The existence of the Michigan com
mission TO the Great Lakes-St. Law
renee Tidewater congress would be
continued under the provisions of
bill offered in the senate by Senator
Vandenboom 1t carries an appropria-
ton OF $4,000 a year for two years,
ITO promote the establishment of a
deep sea route from the Great Lakes
to the Atlantic"
The joint legislative committee
named TO investigate the activities OF
the Michigan Community Council
commission returned from Grand Rap
ids without having anything definite
TO report. Senator Herbert Baker
chairman. was informed by Caro-
Sweet. head OF the community council
that all the cash the committee has
handled. 1890 was turned over by
the Women's Council of National De
Tense TO the state OF Michigan.
Senator Hamilton Has Bill.
Michigan's first lady senator, Sena
tor Eva Hamilton, Grand Rapids, in
troduced her first bill of the session
II would allow the state to contract
with child caring agencies for the
care OF dependents.
Senator Davis would amend the
general tax law to permit city ant
county treasurers or other collecting
officers to charge two per cent extra
on taxes paid any time after Januar!
10.
In committee OF the whole the sen
ate passed Senator Penny's bill to al
low cities OF over $4,000 population Il
bond up to eight per cent for wate
works Improvement and this bill wa
annroyed by the senate. Senator Mac
Arthur's bill to prohibit the unlawful
wearing of the American Legion
badge was passed by the senate com
mittee.
party caucuses would be abolishe
according TO the provisions OF bi
introduced by Senator Arthur Woot
na,ro,t II calls for the election
dalegates to the county and state cor
ventlons al a regular primary ano
candidates for the county convention
must petition to have their names
placed on the ballot. Delegates u
the state convention would be eiecte'