The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-11-19
Governor Takes Drastic ActlOn
in Control Squabble.
Three Officials Will Be SuS-
pended Pending Results.
ALL MEMBERS ARE INCLUDED
Sweeping Investigation of Con-
ditiOns in Office.
Commission Named to Take All
the Testimony.

INQUIRY into the affairs Of the
state board of control took
new turn today when Governor
Hodges, with the approval OF
Sheffield Ingalls,, lieutenant gov
ernor; and w. L. Brown, speak
er of the house of representa-
tives, appointed a special COM
mission to conduct a statutory
and sweeping investigation OF
the work of the entire board and
all of it's members.
Two state senators and three
house members compose the
commission, which will begin in
vestigations in Representative
hall Friday morning. Governor
Hodges will tonight issue an or
der suspending all of the three
members of the control board
pending results of the inquiry.
With the approval Of the lieutenant
governor and speaker of the house,
the governor named the following
investigating commission: Senators
Jouett Shouse. Edwards county, and
John F. Overfield, Montgomery
county; Representatives w. w. Cor
don. wyandotte county: w. H. Dod-
deridge, Morris county, and Frank
Chase, Jackson county. Three Of the
members of the commission are Dem
ocrats, one is a Republican and one
a Progressive.
v1n6ar the nr6aF .inVaSfi0Qfinn will
not be limited to any one member Of
the board or any alleged specific
overt act Not only Will the commits
sion inquire into the HarryrC Bow
and Stance Myers, Democratic mem
pers of the board: but will investigate
the record OF Bowman during his eight
years as member. Findings will be
made to the governor, and upon this
report the governor is legally author
lied to make such order as he may
deem fit.
The commission is provided for by
statute and has full power to SUBJ
poena witnesses, compel attendance,
administer oaths and perform the
regular service of a court Of record
Carry Out Letter OF Law.
The change in the program for a
board of control probe followed the
statement by Harry C. Bowman, mi
nority member. questioning the legality
of the regularly appointed commission
OF three senators to look into the
charges against Brook and Myers
After conference with Speaker Brown
and a long distance telephone CONVEX
sation with Lieutenant Governor In
gals. the appointment of a new COM
mission was announced. Senators
Shouse and Overfield of the original
committee. were retained and three
members of the house were appointed
as provided by law.
In obedience to a legal provision for
suspension Of any official pending in
Vestlgatlon. Governor Hodges will to-
night declare the offices Of the three
members of the board vacant until the
nearing Is concluded. Under this ac-
tlon, Kansas will be without a control
BOARD until the conclusion of the in
vestlgatlon. 1t is new and novel sit
uatlon and the first time in the history
OF the state. it is claimed, when Kansas
was entirely without one Of her ad-
minlstrative boards. To all legal pI,r-
poses, the board will be dead until the
investigation ends. Under the law.
tnere is no provision for the naming of
temporary board.
A Counter Charge.
1t is reported this afternoon that
Brooks and Myers, against whom Row.
man made charges of misconduct in
otfice, will themselves file charges
against Bowman. These charges will
be 1l!ed with the governor The order
ior the inquiry Is sufficiently broad to
permit Of this probe of the mtnoritv
member and Bowman who started the
iight on the two administration mem
pers a few days in advance of the
election, now finds that he must de.
lend himself and his official record.
FINDINGS of the commission NAV ex.
onerate one or all members of the
BOARD On the other hand the com,
mission has the power to ask for th.
summary removal of one or all mem
pers upon evidence presented at the
nearing. This action. it is asserted
Will be as final and binding as the ac
ton or court of record and is nro
vided by statute.
both the friends of Bowman anf
the friends of Brooks and Myers in
timate the introduction Of sensationa
evidence in the trial Of the case an,
there is general belief that storm,
session Will mark the probe of IN,
charges and counter charges. All n
the three members Of the board v,il
De called to the witness stand to tes
tlfy under oath concerning the off7c;e
records of the members
On Stand in Morning.
Bowman will probably be the fire
witness. He will be called to 49,
stand when the commission meets n
10 O'Clock Friday morning. AsLe
today II he had retained counsel. Row
man made an evasive answer.
II am innocent bystander. VIII
should 1 hire a lawyer?" replica ~
Republican member
Edwin McKeever and ]. ]. Schencl
Topeka lawyers, who participated !
the trial OF the West-Hodges DANA :
suit as counsel for the governor. ri
represant Brooks ana Myers.
eaa 4nenlls. hseesssnRx eevsl