The Bismarck tribune., 1925-02-12
ROAD INQUIRY
is CONTINUED
BY COMMITTEE
(Continued from mage IL


cars, this in 1923, and Black said he
| didn't think he had authority to sell
them but later said he had an opin-
ion that he could. He quoted Black
as saying that he understood the pre-
vious Highway Commission admins
tration sold cars at cost of freight
and repairs.
"Have you ever been billed for the
cars?" asked Judge Graham, com.
mittee counsel.
mo sir" was the reply.
"Did he tell you what the Cadil-
lac car price would bet"
~ think $780,"
Atkinson produced letter he said
was written in November, 1923, tell
ing the Highway Commission he
would pay for the truck he had to
haul men to surveying jobs.
"Do you not know it was the Gus
tom to say 10 cents mile on these
cars?" asked Judge Graham.
"No. sir, my understanding with
Robinson was I was to pay mileage
however"
He. said he turned in a statement
to A. w. Luehrs, in charge of the
equipment department.. He said he
didn't think he was requested to pay
| He said he used the cars some in
private work. and said it was agreed
he should pay for gas. oil, etc.
| He said one car was a second.
hand army Dodge, one truck. an.
other the Cadillac. He said he con.
sidered the Dodge his car and still
had it.
although you never paid for it?'
questioned Graham. what was the
Cadillac worth?"
1T turned out to be a liability al
though thought it good buy al
$3.50. 1 bought better Dodge than
had last fall for 1925. You caf
buy these old second hand cars at
your own price,. !.
He said he made about $3.50 on the
cars in three-years, figuring mileage
and asserted this was eaten up by
| repairs Of his own men.
"T'hey are still carried on the
books as belonging to the Highway
Commission" said Mr.. Vogel.
Atkinson asserted anyone could
have the three cars for $1OO.
Judge Graham asked if Atkinson
did not think he should pay interest
on the purchase price of the cars,
and the latter said he did not be-
cause the Highway Commission de-
layed paying money owing to him.
Atkinson, asked if he bought his
own gas, said yes. =
A. W. Luehrs, formerly in charge
of the equipment department, was
called to the stand, and said he
thought Atkinson had got gas books.
but was not sure. + -
Atkinson then said he desired to
correct his testimony, believing that
he did get two or three gas books
worth SIS each. and he didn't know
whether he paid for them.
Luehrs said he ordered a bill sent
for them, but did not know whether
the bill was sent.
Rep. Anderson of Stutsman county
membeE-of the committee, was not
PAooSuI CVUoy.
Refutes Statement
w. G. Black, state engineer, to-
day refuted testimony of VIM. Get
heman, superintendent of the equip
ment department, to the effect that
sale of surplus war material in the
hands of the Highway Commission
is against the ruling of the govern
ment. Mr.. Black said;
"1n the sale of War Surplus Ma
terials this administration. immedi-
tatsly in assuming office, discontinu-
ed the general sale of materials
which was being carried on under
the former administration. From
time to time advice was requested
from Washington as to proper. meth
cd Of disposing of materials which
had no connection with road work in
|thix state and in personal conferen-
ces with officials representing the
government in the handling of these
materials the State Highway Com
mission was advised to dispose of
such materials in manner as is now
being DONE"