The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-02-20
ROAD MARKER
PURCHASE.T0LD
COMMITTEE
Highway Commission Body
Learns Signs Were Pur-
chased Without Bids
MEMBER is ON STAND
J. r. Poupore Asked Concern
ing Much Authority Given
To Chief Engineer

J. Il. Poupere Of Grand Forks,
member Of the State Highway Com
mission, was placed on the witness
stand at the Highway Commission
investigating committee session this
morning, and asked concerning many
actions Of the board. Preliminary
questioning apparently was designed
to show that the Highway Commits
sion, through resolutions or other
wise, had delegated much authority
to w. G. Black, chief engineer.
One Of the matters asked about
WAS the purchase of road markers
Used in the state. Mr.. Poupore was
asked, and said he understood it to
be a fact, that 5000 enamel, Indian
head markers, were purchased with
out bids being called for.
Mr.. Pouporc was asked if he and
o. A. Brown, member of the High
way Commission, authorized the pur-
chase of the signs. Mr.. Pouporc
said that the purchase was authoriz-
ed, but he did not recall how many.
He was asked if the price was passed
on and replied that Mr.. Black was
instructed to purchase them but he
did not remember whether the price
was passed on or not.
Mr.. Graham asked if it was Gus
tomary to purchase materials with
cut bids.
although he said it was done some
times, even in counties, especially in
case Of emergencies.
Question Of Emergency
Mr.. Graham went into the question
Of whether or not there was an emer-
gency. The resolution for purchase
Was adopted October 80, 1923. Mr..
POupore said they might have been
needed, some work might be going
on, and it might be necessary to buy
them Immediately to prevent crews
being stopped.
you ought to know il an emergency
existed" Mr.. Graham said
81 can't say at this time," he re-
piled. eve considered the matter
and considered it necessary to pur-
chase them and that the price was
reasonable"
He was asked if he knew the price
quoted, and said he could not re-
member, although he presumed he
Adid-that he did not think anything
\Tas authorized without a price be-
fling quoted.
: Mr. Graham tried to bring out that
Mr.. Black should have made an es-
innate of all things needed ut the
beginning of the year, and that no
emergency should have existed with
work such as road marking. Mr..
Poupore said that he didn't think
in the character of business that
everything could be forseen.
Mr.. Poupore said the only reason
he could think Of that bids were not
asked was that work might have been
going on and it was necessary. 800
MIR. Graham, read the record and
Mr.. Vogel asked if it were not a fact
that although the signs were rur-
chased in the fall the work was not
commenced until the spring OF 1924;
Richland County Job az 5.-
Mr.. Poupore, at the commence ment
Of his testimony, was quizsed re-
garding Federal Aid Project No. SO
in Richland county, especially about
the settlement. He said that the
Highway Commission relied on it's
chief engineer, Mr.. Black. Mr.. Gra-
ham wanted to know if Mr.. Black
said checkup had been made of ma
eNriaI used on the road, and Mr.. Pou-
pore was Of the impression that hP
did.
He was not certain that Mr.. Black
said that measurements had been
made over.
z He asked Mr.. Poupore if he didn't
think that it should have been gone
over and checked up and he replied
that the commission relied on the
men it employed.
"Do you do business that way,
when someone claims something you
give them their claim without inves-
tigation?" Mr.. Graham asked.
"No. We investigate to see who is
right"
He said the commission had con-
fidence Mr.. Black was trying to be
fair and do right, in the dispute be-
tween Treadwell Twichell, constrac-
tor. and the engineers over the Rich
land county project.
With regard to the dispute between
engineers for the Highway Commits
sion and Mr.. Black he said he made
up his mind that the Commission
ought to have the chief 60 over the
7srk.
He was asked also if the shop force
in Bismarck had been reduced since
the investigation started. He said
he did not know, but that the Com
mission had talked previously about
the shop force and cost Of repairs
and thought the cost ought to be re-
duced.
He was asked if the board had
passed resolution giving Mr.. Black
authority to buy. automobiles for
the engineers, and said that he didn't
lcentinusd q laes. thrsel ta., i