Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1917-07-17
LAUGH AT SLAMS
ON THEIR ROADS
County Commissioners Joke
About Worlds Expose OF
Their Extravaganza.
CLINE REFUSES ONE CLAIM
County Clerk Throws Bomb
shell; Many Complaints
About Highways.

w. l.. North and the other county
commissioners laughed yesterday AT
The Worlds expose of the fact that
they had spent 100000 since Janu-
airy ! on good roads" with nothing
to show for it. They also laughed at
the horde OF citizens, mostly farmers,
who came before them to complain
about the deplorable condition OF the
country roads.
They ridiculed The World all during
their Mondays session, but made no
effort to explain or deny the facts
published Sunday. They poked fun at
the city officials, the Chamber of
Commerce, the state highway depart
ment and everybody else who con-
scientiously believes the county
should get some roads in return for
the enormous sums that are being
expended.
They offered no explanation for
having abandoned all road dragging
and other maintenance work. They
made no move toward employing an
other county engineer, altho they
can use no state highway funds until
they have an engineer to prepare and
file profiles of the work to be done.
Gibson BObbcd Up.
After an eight-hour session during
which not one business item OF the
slightest importance was transacted.
Kelley Gibson, road contractor.
wrought sensational climax to the
days proceedings by threatening to
disr,Ipt tho entire financial routine
of the road and bridge building de-
partment.
In the heat Of the quarrel Gibson
stated that he would Immediately
seek a writ of mandamus to force
Lewis Cline. county clerk. to pay ms
claim of $1,000. Furthermore. ne
announced his intention of asking an
Injunction to prevent Cline from pay
ing claim presented by the Eanton
Bridge company. one OF GIBSON
competitors.
The embroglio came as direct re-
suit of the commissioners action last
week In discharging the county engi-
neer and their subsequent failure TO
provide temporary successor Ac-
cording to the state law. no claims Tor
work on state roads can be paid by
the county clerk unless they have the
approval of the county engineer.
Cut I'm Half.
Gibson's claim, which is for scatter
ing work thruout the county, was first
submitted as $4,000. This amount the
commissioners refused to consider. and
as a consequence, Gibson reduced MS
claim to $1,000 all Of which is claimed
for work on state roadways.
Perceiving that there was no check
of any nature being made on the
claim, Lewis Cline. county clerk. took
occasion to inform Mr.. Gibson that
the claim would not be paid even II
approved by the commissioners.
"Well, now I'm just feeling right to
go to bat on that. Mr.. Cline" was the
immediate retoinder of the road man.
"Ill just force you to pay that in the
courts"
CAN right. Mr.. Gibson" coolly as
serted the clerk. that's the only way
you can get it."
Gets Real Hefty.
"And Furthermore, I'll Just sec
whether you can allow that claim Of
the Canton Bridge company" shouted
Gibson. "I'll just throw in an injunc-
tion to stop you from doing that"
Mr.. Gibson reached for the tele-
phone to call his attorneys. At this
point C. Il. Suppes, chairman of the
board, evidently became disgusted
with the hopeless manner of proceed
ure, and left the meeting.
With little more discussion, and
without any sort Of expert checking,
CONTINUED ON PAGE THREE