Omaha daily bee., 1910-03-21
.COWNIE IS FORCED OUT
Resignation Of Member Of Board Of
Control Causes Sensation.
RAILROAD COMMISSION REPORTS
Board begins tnvestisatton ~ EH-
press Rates-HeRrinE on Proposed
Revision Of Grain Rates
Begins To-day.

From a Staff Correspondent
DIES MONIES. March 20-(Speoial)-The
greatest sensation in recent state history
was the sudden resignation Of John Cownie
from the state Board Of Control and the
fact that he was virtually forced out. The
forcing process was not so much because
any definite accusations were made against
him as because OF the power which the
governor has to Interfere with any and
every state office and to force a complete
change OF policy regardless.
For twelve years Mr. Cownie was the
dominating force Of the board. He went
on the board with Governor Larrabee and
Judge Kline and helped organize It. He
was at once the farmer and the business
man Of the board, but more than that, he
was a far-seeing and strong hearted
philanthropist, who insisted upon the adop-
tion Of modern methods for the board in
the state institutions. Among the contrsc-
tors and bidders he was known as one of
the hardest men to meet, and they long
ago gave up the idea that with Cownie on
the board they could ever get the best Of
the state.
A little over. a year ago when Governor
Carroll anne into office, a movement was
at once started to investigate the state
institutions. 1t became known that the
primary purpose was to afford some excuse
for the attack upon Cownie. The legisla-
ture refused at the start TO begin the in
quiry. In the house a committee was
named to investigate the insane hospitals,
and 1t made a report which vas quickly
shown to be without merit. Then there
was bombarding the Legislature with
pamphlets and petitions in regard to the
state prison and it's alleged mismanage-
ment, but nothing came Of that. Finally,
only three days before the legislature was
to adjourn and after the date had been
fixed beyond recall, Governor Carroll sent
to the senate the nomination Of ex-COn-
gresham Conner to succeed Cownie. The
senate promptly refused to confirm, not
because of any dislike of Conner, but be-
cause OF resentment over what they be-
lleved was a baseless attack upon Cownte.
The next day the nomination Of f. F. Jones
Of Villisca was also rejected. The matter
was left there.
Two days ago. TN the absence OF Cownie
from the state, an outbreak occurred at
the Industrial school for girls. When Mr..
Cownle returned home Thursday he found
that the governor had been making an in
vestlgation and was holding him respon-
sible, that cells were being built in the
/ SCHOOLS ana the bDafQ Hhu bttn CpuiPoli0a
to completely change the policy with re-
gard to the school. Mr.. Cownie protested
and was told to keep away from Mitchell
VILE. Then he resigned.
While Mr.. Cownie's term expired next
month, it was well known that unless he
could be forced to retire voluntarily he
would be In duty bound to remain until the
senate could confirm his successor, as the
board acts under a special law.
The crisis in the matter, coming at this
time, is pretty sure to have considerable
consequence In a political way, as the
farmers generally regard Mr.. Cownie as
one of the most valuable public servants.
Railroad Commission Report
The Iowa Railroad commission began its
Investigation in express rate matter on
Wednesday. the 10th. The Iowa State Man
ufacturers' association introduced a pro-
posed schedule Of merchandise rates per
100 pounds, also a graduated scale for pack
ages Of lesser weight. This proposed sched-
ule makes no change in rates less than
fifty miles; over that, up to 500 miles, how
ever, the reduction Is considerable. The
express companies viii bitterly contest the
adoption Of such rates, and the whole hear
ing has gone over for ninety lays In order
to enable the Iowa State Manufacturers
association TO complete its case and the
express companies to make answer i'm detail
to the figures thus presented. The next
hearing in express rate cases will occur on
June 16.
Hearings by h Board.
Hearings next week are as follows: Tues
day, March %. proposed revision of grain
rates In Iowa; Wednesday, March Is Boone
Brick and Tile company against Chicago &
Northwestern Railway company in re-
switching charges. also motion For rehear'
ing in the case Of G. w, g. Paul Schreurs
MuseatiRe, against Chicago. Rock Island 6
Pacific Railway company. building of pro
posed industry track; Thursday, March -
proposed revision OF coal rates in Iowa.
New cases filed with the board the las
week referred M particular to station and
train service. There were only three com
plants made with reference to delay II
transit, which indicated that the car short
age is nearly over. Other complaints fiiet
with the board relate to switching, condt
ton OF railroad crossings, drainage, tele
phones in depots, etc.
Cases Closed.
The following cases were closed during
the week:
Citizens of Lu Verne against Minneapolis
& ST. Louis Railroad company, telephone II
depot. Telephone was installed as re
quested.
John Crawford, Minburn, against Mime
apolis & st. Louis Railroad company fail
ure to furnish cars. Cars furnished as de
sired.
William Massey, Collins, against Chicago
4 Milwaukee & st. Paul Railway company
| failure TO furnish cars. Cars furnished.
l.. W. F1ack, Linden, against Chicago
Milwaukee a St. Paul Railway company
failure TO furnish cars. Cars furnished.
Manly Elevator company against low
Central Railway company; switching serv