The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-02-24
SETTLEMENT
ON ROAD WORK
ISQUESTl0NED
Highway Commission Inves,
tigating Body Delves
Into Award
PURPOSE OF PROBE
Committee Counsel Seeks to
Show That Unwarranted
Increase Is Made

The Highway Commission investi-
eating committee Of the House Of
Representatives today continued its
probing into the costly road project
built in Richland county by Tread
well Twichell, contractor, covering
"A period of three years and extend
ing through two administrations of
the Highway Commission. The COM
mttee recalled Walter G. Black,
chief engineer, to the stand, and
asked questions with specific refer
ence to settlements.
Apparently the effort of the ques-
TONERS was directed toward ascer-
tanning whether or not Mr.. Black,
as chief engineer, and the Highway
Commission, approved figures, for a
final settlement on the road with the
contractor, which were much more
than the contractor was entitled to
receive.
Mr.. Black countered during the
questioning that the final settle.
ment was not made by him. but by
a board of arbitrator, because the
work was begun and mostly done
during the time when w. H. Robin
son was chief engineer and there
were so many changes in plans and
orders to the contractor that this
method was resorted to in the final
settlement.
"The board of arbitration made
the settlement, | didn't" said Mr..
Black, in answer to question, and
this opened up the line Of question
ing.
F. J. Graham, committee counsel,
called Mr.. Blacks attention to a
modification of the project agree
mcnt September "a, 1924, two months
before the board Of arbitration made
its award, and the acceptance by the
federal bureau q month later,
"oi.. you make an estimate before
the board of arbitration metz" asked
Mr.. Graham.
"No," replied Mr.. Black.
Later Mr.. Graham showed com
putation. made with reference to the
testimony, and then asked Mr.. Black
why he had said he had not made
estimates.
Mr.. Black asserted he and Mr.
Graham did not undertand one
another, and explained the apparent
contradictory answer by saying that
he was referring to sectional modi-
fications after he came into office
There was conversation between wit
ness and attorney on this point
Mr.. Graham insisting that Mr.. Black
contradicted himself and the latter
that there was misunderstanding.
ut is fact then" asked Mr.
Graham, "that estimates were made
up by engineers after December 8,
1923 and before the board of arbi-
tration met in l924?"
Eyes"
"Then why did, you testify none
WERE"
Il think there was misunder-
standing-I thought you were talking
about the revised estimates"
Mr.. Graham read records that the
new estimates were raised from $780,
600 to $4,000, approximately, the
latter figure being the board Of ar
bitration award.
Mr.. Graham then, went into ques-
tioning as to whether Mr.. Black had
checked up cross section work made
by J. N. Roherty, who had been on
the witness stand. He said they
talked it over.
Mr.. Black said that figures were
presented to the board of arbitration
by his department on Section A of
the Richland county project but none
on Section B, saying this was COM
pleted before his time.
Figures Incorrect
C. E. Lounsbury, assistant counsel,
read figures and asserted that on the
basis of Mr.. Roherty's computations
there was an unwarranted increase
in the estimates allowed Twitchell.
Mr.. Black refused to comment on Ro-
herty's testimony until he had had
an opportunity to examine it, but
said that Mr.. Roherty, testifying
under oath, doubtless had given the
committee correct figures. He said
that he was not certain Of the basis
of computation referred to by Mr..
Lounsbury, and said the totals ap-
peared to be the same.
Mr.. Black was asked about en-.
gineering cost on the road, which he
said was $5,O90.02, in addition to the
preliminary surveys made originally.
"You stated you do all of your
own surveys you can?" Mr.. Graham
asked.
"Yes."
did you ever have any of your
surveyors ask to make preliminary
surveys. saying they had the time to
do it,"
mo"
ITO be specific, did Mr.. Gavin
make request that he be allowed to
organize party r.
"After he left the department. he
British railroads are following the
Americon example Of using motor.
cars on branch lines. where, full
trains are not profitable.
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