Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-03-29
HIGHWAY ENGINEER
MAY Be SELECTED
BY BOARD TODAY
Cantin Is Choice Of Majority;
BOwlby To Finish Up
With Old Work

At special meeting of the state
highway commission, which will be held
either this afternoon or tomorrow
morning, it is pretty certain that a sue
cessor will be chosen for State High
way Engineer Bowlby and the choice
among the great number of candidates
for the position rests between Herbert
Num-, of Portland, but recently from
Texas, and Z. |. Cantin, ROf Portland,
with chances at present rather in favor
of Cantin. This much is made known
from the opinion of the three members
of the commission, individually express.
ed, which was gained this morninf.
1t is also quite probable, judging from
the attitude expressed by the members
of the commission, that, if a successor
to Major Bowlby is named at this meet
ing it will be with the understanding
that Major Bowlby will be retained in
his present position to finish p the
work outlined and under construction in
Hood River county, and to adjust the
differences between the contractors and
the counties wherever these differences
occur, if Major Bowlby cares to as.
sumo the responsibilities, and the new
engineer will have charge of whatever
new work is outlined and in contem.
plation by the commission for the
present year.
State Treasurer Kay gave out
statement this morning to the effect
that he had never been approached by
W. W, Lucius, said to be the personal
candidate and choice of Senator 1. N.
Day, Of Portland; that he does not
know Mr.. Lueius and that Senator Day
had never asked him to support Mr.. Lu.
cius or anybody else for the position.
Furthermore, he states that he had not
promised his support to Mr.. Lucius or
anybody else for the job and was alb.
solutely free to vote for anybody whom
the governor might suggest, He stated,
however, that he had previously ex.
pressed his sentiment to Secretary Oh.
colt to the effect that he would not
support Mr. Lucius fo rtheposition. He
said this morning, however that he
would support any candidate whom
Governor Withycombe might nominate
regardless of who it should be.
State Treasurer Kay takes the posi-.
tion, and he states that Secretary OF.
colt agrees with him upon that score,
that inasmuch as the law which goes
into effect on May 90 gives the ap.
pointing power the the governor as
matter of respect and courtesy to the
governor he would permit the governor
to name the engineer now and woul,
support any candidate which the gov
ernor might nominate. Secretary Oh.
colt remains non.committal upon the
subject and declined to make any kind
OF statement this morning 1t is be.
heved, however, that he still remains
opposed to any change in the office.
1t is known that Governor Witty
combe does not agree to the PROPOSE.
tlon of shouldering all of the responsi.
bllity Of the appointment upon him,
since he does not care to assume the
responsibility until the law giving him
the full appointing power goes into eff.
feet, He will probably place a man in
nomination, however and when he does
1t will Der Mr.. Num- or Mr.. Cantin.
ana the chanceS of election are in favor
OF the latter inasmuch as the Oregon go.
ciety of engineers are opposed to the
naming Of any engineer who is not n
resident Of Oregon, and this is taken
as an objection to the appointment of
Mr. Num- who his but recently come
from Texas.
MIR; Num-, however is the man who
has the support and recommendation of
Messrs' j. B. Yeon and s. Benson, of
Portland, who have donated thousands
OF dollars and nearly all their time 70
good roads work in the state, but thev
have been quoted as stating that Mr.
Cantin would be acceptable to them
Ihat being the case and in view of the
society of engineers objection to the
appointment of Mr.. Mum, it is prett,
certain that Mr. Cantin will be the man
elect. '' "'''
DIR, HENDERSON DEAF