The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-09-30
tOtficial City, State and County Newspaper
Does the Tail Wag the Dog?


Former Secretary Black of the Highway Commits
sion with complet" knowlede" that his did not
meet with the approval OF the commission sgnc'
paving contract involving the expenditure OF
$4,000 OF state. fedora. ana county funds. Mr.
BLACK in recent statement SAYS ne does believ"
the contractor collect aid under The contrac'
signed by him.
But the situation involves greater principle
That principle is whether the secretary OF the
mission is accountable u tho commits ion or is h"
more powerful than the commission? Putting it iG
the parlancc Of the street does the tail wag the dog
Blacks attitude merely confirms what was
brought at the legislative investigation last
winter that too much power lodged in the
secretary OF the commits sion In fact negotiation
carried by Mr.. Black in reference many road
projects, purchase of supplies and other highway
matters, indicated that the members Of the com
mission had but small voice. except to pay the
bills and make the funds available for state ana
federal aid projects
If secretary of the highway commission can
award contract the leads Of the members
OF that body is the time test out the mat,
ter.
The Iaggart Construction company declares it
will proceed with the paving of the penitentary
road despite the action of Mr.. Blacks successor
in rejecting their bid and returning their Cancelled
check This contracting company maintains it has
"a contract.
On the other hand, the members of the Highway
Commission declare that funds are available for
the work If the contractor has a contract, he has
merely scrap Of paper and if he proceeds to dc
the work, he is in danger of not being paid. The
railroads will share in the venture only upon terms
prescribed by the Highway Commission. The Fed
eral Bureau of Roads assures the North Dakota
thatt ofd :
project that has not been formally approved by the
Highway Compassion.
WITH state federal md railway Eln'e not ayal
able thai leaves Vac county HI11e Willing to pay il
slare OF tn" proje.t
There have heen ,cw ns'a@aes o. reco!d VDcI,
such eforts put forw ri to deliver 4 jJh &
certain contrac or for certa n type of paving.
The taxpayers of Burlegh county fail t
wonder at the procedure Governor Sorlie use,
his influence and procured consent of state officials
to employ convict labor to aid in paving. Hi
suggestion ignored by the Bureigh count:
board whose members went ahead and before thu
project approved, hired engineer and pro
ceeded to strong arm the project though.
Again Governor SOrie made a trip to the Twi!
Cities and secured promise Of some $4,000 from
the railroads to assist in the payment of the proec
because grade crossings would be eliminated, bu
they made the provso that the project should b.
put through as outlined by Governor Sorlie and hi
associates on the commission.
Further. the highway commission would have
done the engineering expense at practically nj
cost to the taxpayers of Burleigh county. No cf
fort was made to secure these services at savns
to the taxpayers. The county board proposed :,
pay $4,000 for engineering services.
And finally in the project would have been in
cluded the stretch unpaved between the city pave
ment and the main entrance of the State Capito
building.
These are facts for the taxpayers to consider
There seems to be great need for more teamwork
between the counties and the State Highway Com
mission and if there were fewer axes to grind thu
saving to the taxpayers would be material.