Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-03-18
CONN|E 70 GET Ak!
ENEMIES OF BOARD OF CONTROL
CLAIM VICTORY IN LEG
IsLATURE. -
ALLEGED THAT REBUkE
Is DUE WITHIN FEW DAYS
Gossip Says Opposition Has Prevailed
Upon Governor to, Not Reappoint
cownie-Ex- Warden Jones viii Not
Get Place-sammis' Public Utilities
Bill.
,ecial to Times-Republican.

Special to Times Republican.
have been active in the politics; of the
board of control succession are today
claiming victory and declare that it is
all settled that the board is slated for
the severest rebuke possible within a
few days, and that would be notice that
the personnel of the board is to be
completely changed. The claim is con-
fidently made in the Hobbies that the
governor has agreed to depose John
Cownie, chairman of the board. The
fact that other names are being sug
gested for discussion and feelers have
gone out as to various persons is taken
to give confederation to the claims OF
the politicians.
The latest name to be made use of
in this connection is that F. F. Jones,
Of Villisca- Mr.. Jones was member OF
priations committee at the last session.
He was also q member of the insur-
ance commission and incurred the dis
pleasure of certain interests by sup
porting the Carroll plan for a transfer
of the insurance department to the
office of governor and a general re-
vision of the insurance code. The result
was that at the last primary he was
beaten.
1t is now stated that the name of
N. NJ Jones, of Fort Madison, the for
mer warden, who has been largely re-
sponsible for the movement for a re-
organization of the board of control,
will not be considered by the governor.
The general disposition of a few of
the house members to start investiga-
lions on short order and with little
cause led to the heads of institutions
keeping very still while here this week.
Superintendent Fitzgerald told of
jolly time at the reform school for
girls the past week when he had them
all taken out sleigh-riding in bobsleds,
much to. the delight of the girls Of the
school, "Sh-h, better keep that STILL"
said a friend as he told 1t, 'for the
house would order a committee to in
vestigate such an outrage If the news
would ever get to- the members" And
Fitzgerald closed up.
Warden Sanders has been here dur
ing the week meeting many friends,
but witthsnothing to saysas to the war
fare being made upon him for intro
ducing modern methods as desired by
the board Of control. He says he is go
ing on about his business with little
concern as oswhat others may say and
he has the greatest. confidence in the
world that his methods will receive the
commentator of the people.
A bill introduced by Senator Sam
mis- to dispose of the troublesome
question of the control and legislation
of public utilities is meeting with
much favor at the hands of members.
It expands the railroad commission to
five on reasonable salary, members to
be appointed, and gives the commiss-
ion enlarged powers. The one weak
spot of the bill which was introduced
at the behest of the public service cor
porations was that it destroyed self
in regard to such matters;
but the Sanmis bill leaves the control
Of public service corporations now OPP
Grating to the cities and towns in which
the plants are located, save and except
that in case of disagreement upon a
vital matter there may be appeal to
the state commission for settlement.
The thought is to preserve local con-
troll so far as possible and at the same
time give the state a hand where set
Element in the ordinary way seems i'm
possible, thus taking the corporation
question out of local politics. The bill
Is more comprehensive than the Smith
Lee bill on the same subject, and it
does not interfere in any way with the
Van Law bill which has been recon- |
mended favorably
That part Of the sammis bill re-
ating to the local control of public
utilities is as follows:
"Section 25 The several public utili-
les affected by this act shall have
he right to exercise the franchise and
privileges which they now have. or
which may hereafter be granted to
hem, so long as they comply with
he provisions of this act and the or
lers of the commission not held to be
invalid in appropriate judicial proceed
ngs, subject, however, to the following |
orovisions: When the period of time
:or which any franchise heretofore
granted has elapsed, such franchise, or
my franchise hereafter granted, may
vt any time be SO changed or amended
BY the municipality which granted the
same as to best. subserve and protect
he public interests. And every munic-
patty shall have power
81. To determine by ordinance the
quality and character of each kind of
commodity or service to be furnished
IF rendered by any public utility fur
aisling the same within said munici-
oality, and the terms and conditions
lot. inconsistent with this act upon
which such public utility shall be per-
nttted to occupy the streets. alleys,
j