East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1915-02-20

he lived In those days would have
had him backed clear off the boards.
He would have had the king out
rustling paving contracts for his
company.
Tuesday mornmg following the
hearing, Bowlby wrote Senator Day
asking for the documents. exhibits
and other papers submitted 10 the
committee in order that they might
be examined and an answer pre-
| pared. He was advised on the FOL
/ lowing afternoon, and after his dis
nssal. that he might come and take
look at the papers. but that they
could not be- taken from the COM
mittee room.
Bowlby Asks for Hearing.
Tuesday morning. following the
hearing Mr.. Bowiby wrote Governor
withycombe, chairman OF the state
highway commission. as follows:
SALEM, Ore, Feb. l6. 19l5.-To
Honorable James Withycombe. Gov
ernor OF oregon-Dear Sir: In view
OF the fact that untrue and unwar-
ronted charges have been made
against this department by dlsgrunt-
led contractors and recalled officials
OF Columbia county to the ways and
means committee OF the senate. and
further, in view OF the fact that I
was not notified of the meeting so as
T. be able to prepare to present and
receive a fair nearing before this
I "a -. n me
that you might desire to hear the
engineers side &C this controversy
from the engineers who had direct
charge of the work in the field.
"As Mr.. A. L. Griswold. assistant
engineer, who supervised this work.
ano Mr. c. C. Kelly. the district en-
eineer for Columbia county. are in
Salem today, would like very much
to have them explain to you briefly
the facts concerning the construction
OF the Columbia highway in Columbia
county. II you care to give the time
TO this matter, Il ey will be ready at
YOUR convenience. Very respectfully,
HENRY l.. BoWLBY,
state Highway Engineer
No Hearing Is Granted.
A meeting OF the highway commits
sion was called tne following morning
but instead OF giving Bowlby a hear
Ing the board, by majority vote
the governor and state treasurer vot-
ing ave and secretary OF state no
called for his resifnation. He was
promptly notifi ID A. follows:
Feb. IS, 1sI5--To Major II. l..
Bowlby. state Highway Engineer
Dear Sir: Concurrent with the ac-
ticn OF the state highway commits
sion at a meeting held this morning
as its chairman, 1 am requesting your
resignation as highway engineer OF
tho state OF oregon.
While 1 and siher members OF
the commission appreciate your
faithfulness TO the interests OF the
state and the constructive work OF
your office, yet the majority Of the
beard deems this action necessary at
this time to insure a more generous
treatment of road legislation by the
legislature than seems possible tol
procure II you continue in office !
Very truly yours,
JAMES WITHYCOMBE, Governor.
The chief compleint against Bowl
by at the hearing seemed to be that
he was guarding the interests OF the
people too close; that he had actually
insisted on contractors fulfilling
their contracts With the counties and
the state. Who ever heard OF sucn
a thing. No wonder he was retir-
ed
Excuse Given by Governor.
The governor in mis- letter OF dis
m.ssal to Bowlby says while the
beard appreciated mis- good work and
his faithfulness TO the state, yet 1t
felt his removal was necessary In
order to secure needed good roads
legislation. II will be noted that
practically all road legislation had
been disposed Of and that It was too
late in the session TO think OF more.
With opr irrigation program kill
ed and the work OF our highway de-
partment all shot 20 pieces through
the present mixup. 1t looks as though |
Greater Oregon would have to hold
up for the season.
In cloing / wish to express my ad-
miraion for the masterful manner In
which Senator Day controls certain
members of the senate, He handles
them like he would bunch of Greek
laborers They get their orders and
you don't hear a chirp out Of any
of them. These senators should not
be blamed, however, for some men
are born only % follow and 1t Is for.
tunate that they have been provided
with such an able leader as Senator
Day.
Bosses come and bosses go, but
the game goes IN Tor ever "A lit
tie while and II was the sunlight that
glided the wave--it now shines so
brightly and glldes as gaily beneath
the stars; even 80 rolls the stream OF
time; one lumindry succeeds the 9TH
er-equally illuminating equally
evanescent."