Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-03-21
PRESIDENT OF UNIVERSITY RE-
SIGNS WHEN AFFRONTED
BY STATE BOARD.
MUSIC DIRECTOR oUsTED
WITHOUT CONSULTATION
Bowman Says He Was Not Consulted
Regarding Change in Professors and
That Board of Education Thereby
Violates Agreement-culmi Of
Serie. of Disasreements.
Special to Times Republican.

Special to Times
Iowa City March 21.-Dr. John G..
Bowman. president Of Iowa university,
sent his resignation. last night, to the
Iowa state board Of education, to take
effect Immediately.
This sensational act on the part Of
the CHIEF educator Of the state is due
to bitter conflict between himself and
the board, concerning the alleged mis-
treatment he has received at the hands
Of the board.
Climax Duo to Dismissal.
President Bowman's resentment came
to a focus with the recent action of
the board-not hitherto made public.
officially-in asking Prof Gustav
Shoettle. director Of the school Of music
to resign.
President Bowman declares that this
was done without consulting him, and
that in being overridden and ignored
a direct and intentional affront was
offered.
He declares that success is fmpos-
sible in the conduct Of an institution
if the president has not the support of
the board: and alleges that the board
violated faith in preventing him from
passing judgment on the professor
dismissed-a right which, lie AYERS, he
made a condition when he accepted the
presidency in 1911.
President 8ownan's Letter.
President Bowman's letter of resig-
nation In full follows:
ITO the Iowa State Board Of Educa-
tion-Gentlemen: BY this letter I
submit to you my resignation as presi
dent Of the State University Of Iowa,
to take effect at your earliest con-
venience. Some explanation Of this
action is due to you and to those in
terested in the welfare of the univer-
sity. Such explanation follows:
lat tho meeting Of your board held
at Cedar Falls, March II, you con-
sidered in executive session a number
of administrative matters concerning
tho university. Among other things at
that time you dismissed a professor Of
the university without a hearing and
without the knowledge or advice Of the
chief executive Of the institution.
Whether or not the facts, If you had
them, warranted the professors dis
missal II not now the issue to which
call your attention: and I pass over
for the moment the obvious fact tina,
the professor himself had right to be
heard. I can not avoid the inference
that your action is deliberately intend
ed to express lack Of confidence in the
administration Of the university.
Charges Violation Of Agreement.
Before I came to the university In
slider ghly the step that you pro-
posed: 1t was for you to decide whether
or not was the man for the place and
I called your attention to this fact. AS
part of the terms on which finally ac-
cepted the position you agreed in writ
ing that all recommendations for ap-
pointment and for dismissal in the uni
verstry should come through my office
to your board. This is the procedure OF
any well-governed university At tina,
time, also, I asked explicitly that il
at any time you should feel that you
would be more comfortable with an
other man in my position, you express
to me frankly that feeling; and stated
that I would, then. with good vii
promptly retire. To this you also
agreed
II can but regret that when the time
come to act under this agreement yor
did not do so, frankly and honorably
You had only to ask for my resignation
to receive It at once. The course yol
adopted TO accomplish the same is un.
worthy OF yourselves unjust to me- ant
involves still more serious injustice
to another man whose case should hav.
been considered on its merits aftel
proper hearing and investigation, ant
not entirely subordinated, as I believ,
1t was. to the evident desire to raise
quite needlessly, a personal issue be
tween your board and myself
No Regret at Quitting.
TT is not my purpose to dwell OF
this point, however, interpreting you
action as I have no doubt It was in
tended, and conforming on my owl
part to the understanding on which
came here, I willingly withdraw from
a position which I accepted at you
earnest solicitation and which I hav
no desire to retain unless can deman'
and receive your entire support. I d
this with less regret because as I re
call the issues which have arisen be
tween us and which have led to you
attitude I am as firmly as ever con
WINGED that the ideals and policie
WHICH nave nelQ 1Or the un1VeTS1l
during the past two years and one
half, have been right and educationall
sound, that no single instance Of per
sonal politics or self-seeking on m
own part has contributed to our differ
ences, and that If you had chosen I
give me a reasonable opportunity TO
working out these ideals and poicie
they would have Justified themselves i
ample measure by the results.
eff it were possible that have ex
aggerated the significance Of your &C
ton in it's relation to myself, my cours
would still be the same. No man ca
be held accountable for his responsi
bility unless his authority is respected
or for his policies unless he is given
free hand to carry them out. Thi
principle is recognized in all well gov
erned colleges and universities, as it
IN every we'll organized business. TIL
efficient government Of this universit
on any other basis is impossible and
could not be party to so hopeless a
experiment even If It were your de
sire that should" ~ ri
Youngest University President.
President Bowman was at thebegin
1 >AinS Of his term the youngest univer
president in the United States. H
heent bnt ten years before stu
In this institution ana out 81
before minor instructor. Be
time Of his leaving his posi-