The Indianapolis journal., 1903-05-23
TALK OF FRANK BOWERS
HE MAY BE A CANDIDATE FOR SEC
RETARY OF COMMITTEE.
w. III. Whitaker, However, Laughs at
signed-Crittenberge In Town.

The appointment of a successor to John
G. Williams, as Democratic member of the
board of managers of the Indiana Reform
atory, was not announced at the Governors
Office yesterday, and ii was unofficially init
mated that the vacancy would not be filled
for several days yet, as there is no neces-
sity for the action until just before the
next meeting of the board, which will be
held the first week In June However, no
secret is being made of the fact that Dale
j. Crittenberger, Of Anderson, will be the
appointee. Mr.. Crittenberger called at the
Statehouse yesterday afternoon and held
a short conference with Governor Durbin.
In referring to the probable appointment
of Mr.. Crittenberger the Journal yester-
day inadvertently stated that he is at pres
ent a member of the board of control of
the State Prison at Michigan City. which
led afternoon papers to make the same
error. Mr.. Crittenberger is q member of
the board of trustees of the Indiana State
Normal of Terre Haute.
Some little political gossip has grown out
of the reported changes in the management
of the Reformatory. more particularly anent
the rumor that Will II. Whitaker. secre-
tary of the Republican state committee. is
to become superintendent of the institution.
Mr.. Whittaker's retirement from the state
committee may result in lively race for
dates have been suggested. An afternoon
paper yesterday indulged in a phantasy to
the effect that Mr.. Whitaker had already
rendered his resignation. secretly. or would
for the secretaryship was on between
Charles Haas, of Wabash. and c. c. Lyons,
Of Fairmount, state senator from Grant
county.
LAUGHED AT THE STORY.
Mr.. Whitaker last night laughed at the
suggestion that he had resigned and said
that he had not even considered such step.
However. the story started the political
gossps, and one man. a prominent state
official. who would not permit his name to
be used, suggested candidate whose name
has not been mentioned in connection with
politics
Frank Bowers. grand keeper OF records
and seal of the Knights of Pythias. will
be a candidate for secretary of the state
committee when the right time comes" he
said. 'and he will be candidate to keep
your eyes on.
Mr.. Bowers has been identified with the
Grand Lodge. Knights of Pythias. for sew
eral years, and he has not heretofore been
active In politics. However. he comes from
New Castle, the capital of a county that
has produced one state chairman and in
Vulnerable politicians. and his candidacy
for the secretaryship would not be alto
gether an extraordinary departure. He has
a wide acquaintance throughout the State.
and that he has ability an organizer and
knows how TO build political fences and
keep them In good repair Is attested by his
reelection year after year TO his present
Office in the face OF the most strenuous
fights. Mr.. Bowerss political godfather
said yesterday that he would have powerful
backing I'm his race, and this will undoubt-
edly be true IL all the prominent knights
are with him. for II Is coincidence that
the men who are most active In the fra
ternal ORGANIZATIONS affairs are also. many
of them. active In Republican state poll
tics.