Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-05-19
APPOINTMENT OF CONSERVATION
COMMISSION BEING WATCHED
WITH INTEREST.
CONCERNS SHOW
TOO MUCH ACTIVITY
Seven Members Probably Will Be
Named by Governor Next Week.
Carroll Relinauishes Right to APP
point Historical Curator.
ecial to Times Republican.

Des Moines. May 19.-GoVernor B. +. |
Carroll is expected next week to name |
the seven members of the commission |
for the conservation of natural re-
sources in Iowa. This commission,
which is TO serve without compensation,
was provided by the last legislature.
Its duties are to make Investigations,
surveys etc, of of waterways and other
natural resources of the state and make
a report. 1t is understood there are
many applications before the governor
for positions on this commission.
The membership of the commission
will be watched with considerable in
terest in view of the recent article by
Judson Welliver, formerly of Iowa, in
an eastern magazine in which he de-
clared the Westinghouse people are
trying to get control of all the water
power in the United States. He claims
that the transmission of power is now
practically controlled by these people
and that if they can get control of all
the waterpower in the country they
will have the biggest trust America has
ever known.
1t is understood that other states as
veil as Iowa have commissions ap-
pointed TO investigate the natural re-
sources, and While the legislatures may
have been innocent enough and had the
most patriotic motives there are those
who are asking the question if it is
not possible these commissions were
created thru the influence of some great
watarpower organization that wishes
the river surveys and reports made by
nation and state without expense 10
them.
1t is a we'll known fact that during
the recent legislature prominent man
who do not generally give up their time
unless it is for business enterprise
spent days urging the members of the
Legislature to pass the bill providing
the creation of this commission and
also urging the governors to recon-
mend such. Whether these same peo-
pie have been active in recommending
members of the commission is I'M
known. However, in view of the ex-
position made by Mr.. Welliver in his
article, the people of Iowa will be in
terested in seeing men appointed on
the commission whose motives can be
unquestioned and who would withhold
its information from private corpora
tons until made public thru the proper
state source.
Governor Carroll, It is runored, has
relinquished to the state historical
board the right to appoint a curator
; of the historical department. The law
gives him the right to make the APP
pointment of the head of this depart
ment which is under the control of the
board as a whole Other members felt
the whole board should have the Sc
lection. Governor Carroll learning the
attitude of the members readily yielded
his appointiVe power it is said, and
has now consented to name as curator
whoever the board as a whole selects.
The matter, it is expected, will now
be delayed to June /, tho meetings OF
the board are being held every few
!. days. The members are not inclined tic
rush the matter of making an appoint
S ment. 1t has been suggested that the
state historical society at Iowa City
should be combined with the state his
torical department in Des Moines ant
both put under one management. I'm
der such a plan the state historical
publications would be issued from thi.
city Some of the board members ART
inclined to think that in view of thi
fact curator should be selected will
. especial fitness to conduct this publ
cation feature as we'll as the manage
ment of the historical department
There is a difference of opinion AM
as yet the decision has not simmere,
, down TO any particular candidates
There is no criticism of Mr.. Harlan
who is the acting curator and indee
there are some of the members VIII
believe he will be the ultimate choic
g. Of the board. However, much of tn
: time has been used in the probabl
discussion OF the feasibility of com
bining the TWO departments. At pres
ent the historical society publication
are being edited by Professor Sham
:. haugh of Iowa City. His qualification
are unquestioned. Members of tn
board previous to the legislature elect
ed him curator of the historical de
partment expecting the assembl
. would provide salary such as woul
Z compensate him sufficiently to warrar
his keeping the place. The assembl
= did not do this. The editor Of the his
torcal publications is allowed a sa
,. airy. By combining the two position
- the salary might be raised to We,
4 good sum. The curator now is provide
. ). a salary of but $1,000 per year.