Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1919-02-13
Senate Paving Scrap
Was Continued Ouer
Into 7oday's Session

able to give the state the best pave
ment for the money, considering quail
ity and durability. They contend that
the commission will be forced TO award
the paving contract to the lowest bid
der, regardless of quality.
Senator Laehmund sprung the mos
sensational feature Of the debate yes
terday afternoon when he gave infor-
nation about an attempt that was
made by representatives Of the War
rem Construction company to bribe him
when he was mayor Of Salem
The city was having trouble with
the company over paving costs. and
after much discussion he said the rep
resentatiyes of the company said they
would send man to Salem who would
meet all the arguments against the
company.
"That man came to Salem and came
to see ME, said Senator Iachmund.
\" His talk had decided metallic ring,
and I viii tell you why know it had
a metallic ring He came to my private
office and Offered me $4,000. ] told
him that was not enough He offered
mo $4,000, / asked him what II vas
he expected me to do for that cam
of money. He said that Wien p aced
a measuring stick againsss a four inth
pavement base tho rule would show
five inches, and that one ard one
half inch top surface would measure
two inches.
Wanted to Rob Salem
Anybody could understand that, or
course. | told him that / thought he
merely wanted to buy the mayor OF
Salem, but | found instead he wanted
to rob the people of Salem.
"Can you blame me, senators, for
wanting to drive this paving trust out
Of the state If 0regonl''
He insisted that either the state
must control the paving trust or the
| trust viii control he state, and declar-
ed ihe issue is well defined
Before the ddbate got under way
this morning, Senator Eddy called at
tention to the fact that two repre-
sentati1es Of the paving trust were IN
side the senate bar yesterday after
noon, while the discussion was in pro
gress, lobbying and attempting to poll
the senate on the paving bills. He de-
nounced this as reprehenslble and cali
ed upon the president Of the senate TO
direct the sergeant at arms to keep
such lobbyists off the senate floor.
President Vinton gave such instruc-
| tions to the sergeant at arms, and stat
ed further that If previously the cour-
tesics Of the senate had been extended
| TO such lobbyists it would bs with
drawn and he er9eanst at arms Wouia
| oust them.
Senator Thomas declared that tho
four words embodied in the minority
report came from the brain Of X. w
Montague, attorney for Warren Broth
ers. and that their purpose was to
thwart the intent of those who drew
the bill to curb the paving trust.
Would Tie Courts Hands
"The men who drew this bill want
ed to make it so tight that it could
not be broken by the devil himself,
said Senator Thomas. "We wanted 10
tie the hands of every county court
and city council and highway eommis-
sion SO they could not play into tho
hands of the paving trust but would
have open and fair composition.
He declared that when the fertile
mind Of Mr.. Montague suggested TINS
amendment, he took the very vitais
out Of the bill. ;" 49,.
.'From coast to coast, wherever tno
Warren Construction company mas OF.
-. ~