Don C. Sowers

Donald Conger Sowers Sr. (February 17, 1883–July 19, 1942) was an American economist, sociologist, physicist, consultant, and academic. He originally worked as a physicist specializing in terrestrial magnetism after receiving his bachelor degree in physics from Baker University in 1904, but in the 1910s changed direction and completed a Ph.D. in economics from Columbia University, sociology, and public law. From the 1910s onward, his work specialized on the management of municipalities, states, public schools, and universities.

As a physicist specializing in terrestrial magnetism, Sowers worked for the Department of Terrestrial Magnetism at the Carnegie Institution from 1904 to 1906. His work saw him travel across various parts of the world. Explorer Roald Amundsen had Sowers adjust magnetic instruments that were later used on Amundsen's history-making South Pole expedition. In recognition of a 1910 scientific expedition Sowers took to parts of China rarely-before visited by other white people, Sowers was made a member Royal Geographical Society, a rarity for an American.

After transitioning to economics, sociology, and public law, Sowers worked at the University of Oregon from 1913 to 1916. At the university, he taught as a professor on municipal matters and public accounting, served as head of the university's School of Commerce, and served as director of the university's Municipal Research Bureau. He also worked during this time as a consultant to numerous municipal governments, influentially advising governments to transition to council-manager government. In 1916, he left the university to accept a position in the Akron, Ohio city government's Bureau of Municipal Research. In 1917, he was made the bureau's director, a position he held until 1922. He also served as secretary of the Ohio Board of Administration, and directed a government reform study commissioned by a state legislative committee.

In 1922, Sowers left Akron to take a position on the faculty of the University of Colorado (Boulder). From 1922 until his death in 1942, he was the director of the university's Bureau of Business and Government. In the 1920s, Sowers worked as a consultant to Colorado Governor William Ellery Sweet on matters related to state government reorganization and state government budgets. From the organization's founding until his death in 1942, Sowers was the secretary of the Colorado Municipal League. In 1929, he served as president of the American Municipal Association (today known as the "National League of Cities"). He also served as secretary of the Colorado State School Board Association.

Early life Sowers was born on February 17, 1883 in Spring Hill, Kansas. He was the son of James W. and Electa Sowers.

Early work as a physicist The same year that Sowers graduated from Baker University, he became an observer Department of Terrestrial Magnetism at the Carnegie Institution. He worked as an observer there until 1910. His work saw him travel to the West Indies, South America, the Pacific Ocean, India, New Zealand. His work on this 1910 expedition resulted in his election to the Royal Geographical Society of England, a rarity for an American.

While attending school in New York City, he worked on a review of the New York City Police Department's detective bureau; worked a study of the segregated budget of the New York City Department of Public Work for Manhattan; worked on writing municipal budget of Hoboken, New Jersey; worked on a feasibility study of grade separation to eliminate grade crossings along the New York Central Railroad system; and published reports of in-depth research on the fee system for New York City public officials. In 1914, Sowers became a professor became a professor at the university, teaching the subjects of municipalities and public accounting. He also served as the head of the university's School of Commerce. until his death in 1942, Sowers served as secretary of the Colorado Municipal League. In 1929, he served as president of the American Municipal Association (today known as the "National League of Cities").

In 1936, Sowers wrote an article in opposition of a ballot initiative that would limit property tax in Colorado. Sowers characterized the initiative as a cynical ploy by property owners to capitalize off of Great Depression-motivated anti-tax sentiments among the public in order to pass a limitation which in actuality would cause a regressive shift of the state's tax burden away from property taxes to (among other things) sales tax. The measure was ultimately roundly defeated by Colorado voters.

Late in his life, Sowers served as secretary of the Colorado State School Board Association.

Opinion survey work Sowers conducted and authored many public surveys and studies. This included a long-running survey of Colorado state government revenue collection and spending.

Personal life and death Sowers married Helen Smith in 1914. Together, they had several children. One daughter and two sons of theirs survived to adulthood.