Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1908-10-22
STATES ATTY. LYNN

STATES ATTY. LYNN
Tells Some Plain Truths to the Com.
missiouers Regarding the
Bridge Graft.
In the issue of Oct. 18th OF the
EmmOns County Advocate the COM
missioners of Emmons county have
attempted to explain how it was that
the county was defrauded in their
now famous bridge contract with the
Hennepin Bridge Company. II was
thought that they would lay all the
blame on their clerk; but not so. The
Office Of states attorney and the as
sistant therein are blamed for it all
by reason Of their insisting that the
board comply with the laws of the
state in the expenditure of the funds
Of the county. AS states attorney
l approve the action of my assistant
in regard to the bridge matter and
object to any such charges being
made against him. 1t is an old dodge
of the commissioners to have their
minutes read that all bills of doubt
full merit were allowed on advice of
the states attorney, but we will not
stand for this last attempt to make
us shoulder the blame.
They have explained, and now
we will explain their explanation.
1t is clear as mud-just about as
clear as the same number of ducks
would make the water in mud
puddle in an attempt to wash their
hides.
The attempt to compare by lineal
foot the cost of bridges is unfair, as
all bridges do not cost the same per
lineal foot. Truss bridges require
nearly double the amount of iron and
neatly double the amount of labor
In construction over the ordinary
strain bridge, and again the length OF
the span will increase the cost OF
construction, as it will require
stronger material and more of it. We
insist that the action of the board
in letting these contracts was on the
advice of Mr.. Roberts, of the Henne-
pin Bridge Company, and not on the
advice Of the assistant states attor-
ney, and we quote from their ex-
PLANTATION to prove the same, which
is as follows:
MIR. Roberts did state to the board
that If we would give him the con-
tracts without advertising, he would
save the county $500 or $500 on the.
three bridges. This we thought the
taxpayers of Emmons county would
appreciate, and on his proposition We
did let three bridges without adver-
Using"
They do not attempt to show us
how or for what reason the cost of
the bridges would be increased by
reason Of the same being advertised.
Now, the real trouble is that the
county has been paying from one
third to one.half more for it's bridges
than it should pay, and not so much
that the county has been buncoed out
OF a thousand dollars In the last
deal; and you should have gone far
Their in your explanation and say that
YOU had been led to believe that
this man Roberts was very good
man; that he was such smooth
man; that he had treated you to 30
many cigars-even to bringing boxes
Of TON Moores" to your meetings.;
had bought you suppers and Ice
cream in season, and made himself
such a good fellow. that you had for
gotten the interests Of the county In
your endeavors to please this conn
.dence man from the Twin Cities. Yes;
this man no doubt draws large sal
ary from his company on account OF
his adeptness in this direction; and
the taxpayers might excuse you for
being taken in by this agent OF the
Hennepin Bridge Company You
should admit that -whichis patent to
all-you have never gone to the
trouble Of ascertaining whether you
we're paying an unreasonable amount
for your bridges or not.
Why did you say in your explana-
ton. "Acting on the counsel OF our
legal advisor, the assistant states at
torney, ON the 18th day OF August
we let the contract for two bridges, :
when in fact the assistant was not
present and did not give you any ad-
vice. myself was present, and you
did not ask me or mention the same
TO me. except to ask at what time you
should close the receiving of bids.
II will be remembered that at this
time and previously there had been
considerable discussion on these
bridge deals, and it was generally
known that Elmer Fogle, of the Lin
ron Cement Works, had entered the
field and had placed bid for the
construction OF the bridges in the
hand of the county auditor At this
time august 17th) the wiley Mr..
Roberts, in company with his teasel
and capper, the supposed representa-
tive OF the Fargo Bridge Company
and Treasurer Herolz, came in on