The diamond drill., 1921-02-12
LANSING
LETTER
GOVERNORS AUDITING BILL
GETS SENATE'S APPROVAL
Administrative Measure Also Reported
Out, With Small Change; Need for
Economy Now Felt.

ministrative measure. was passed b,
the senate late last week after III
third reading.
This bin brings all claims under
control OF the auditor general and the
administrative board. exception being
made only In the case OF expenses IN
the ONCE 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 II
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 OF other causes. the great.
est amount Of work Is to be done.
1T often 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"
INVESTIGATION OF LoeBIsTs
Investigation OF alleged unlawful
lobbying is asked In a resolution pre-
sented In the house by Rep. Fred K.
Dunn. Highland Park. The resolution
calls for appointment OF a 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 L. 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. II is intended
az a game and bird protection meas.
ure and provides that an unnaturallzed
foreign born resident OF the state can.
not lawfully have in his possession or
home a shotgun. rife or pistol
ASKS MILL TAX RAISE
Further financial aid for the Uni.
yersity is provided in a bill Intro,
duced in the house by Rep. Peter p.
Lennon. Genesee county. The bin
raises the mill tax from three-eighths
to fve-eights OF a mill, which will
mean added revenue 70 the university
OF s1,13O0OO annually. The bin 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 a bill which provides
that a certified copy OF the record an
prepared by the court stenographer
may supplant the more expensive
record.
cosT-PLus PLAN CRITICIZED
Cost-plus contracts would be out.
lawed 30 far as the state, counties and
municipalities are concerned by a bIu
introduced by Senator Bayard q.
Davis, Paw Paw. II provides that ali
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. II is 10
the interest OF persons taking such
contracts 10 make public works as exs
pensiye as possible
Circuit and Justice court witnesses
would receive a per diem Increase I'm
fees II the bill introduced by Rem,
Peter Jensen. Escanaba, passes. n
would increase the amount from To
would increase the amount from TIC
to ~ per day In justice court and 81
and 80 per day In circuit court
Senator w. A. Lemire, Escanaba.
believes that probate judges IN coun.
ties of oye- 10000 should be licensed
attorneys and has introduced a bin 20
that affect in the senate. II exempts
probate judges now in office.
FIRST BILL IN HOUSE
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. II provides penalty for driv.
ers Of trucks who refuse OF neglect 20
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