The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1929-01-18
Richland County Senator win
Introduce Bill to That End
in State Legislature
TO REPLACE PRESENT BODY
Commissioner Would Have Full
Control, Management, su-
pervision, Administration
TO REPLACE PRESENT BOD

North DakQta win have . one-man
highway commission II the state leg
islatpre passes . bill which win be
presented by Senator A. r. Bonner,
jr.. Richland county.
The bin provides for the appoint
ment Of the state highway commits
sioner by the governor. The COVER
nor and state auditor would ex-
officio members Of the highway COM
mission.
The change Is proposed to cut down
expenses, to eliminate political dis
putes. and because the plan has
proved successful In other states. &C
cording to Senator Bonner.
The one-man commission would
replace the present commission made
up Of the governor and two ap-
pointive members.
ls Ultimate Authesfty
To constitute the same highway
commission as the ultimate authority
to carry out the duties and exercise
the power Of the present commission
including the supervision Of the Of
fices Of the registrar Of motor We
hicles, Is the purpose Of the bill.
Under Bonzer's plan, the commits
sioner would have full control, man.
age, supervise. administrate. and d.
rect the state highway department
The only check to his authority
would be the governors power to dis
miss him at his discretion.
'The state highway department Is
the biggest thing In North Dakota, .
Bonzer said today. II think we
should get man with real business
ability and knowledge to conduct the
department. The plan has worked
successfully In Minnesota, Illinois
and California"
He said also that he believed the
bill would pass.
Two years would be the term oi
the commissioner. The entire tims
Of the commissioner would be devot-
ed to the performance Of his duties
ct an annual salary Of 5000. The
con1miegiQner would .he required .te
give b6nd 6f $2Sy 900 to the state. The
state Or any person damaged by the
wrong acts Of the commissioner IL
the performance Of his duties could
maintain IN action on the bond fos
recovery Of damages.
The commissioner under the pro-
posed plan would appoint q first as
sistant commissioner, who must be an
experienced highway engineer and q
graduate Of college bearing Z de-
gree. his salary not to exceed 44,500
The full time Of the assistant would
be devoted to the duties Of hts Of
flee, and II the commissioner were III
or removed from office for any other
reason. the assistant would act as
commissioner. He would be subject
to directions Of the commissioner and
would be required to give a bond Of
$4,000.
Would Make Appointments
The commissioner Is given author
ity In the bill to employ such skilled
and unskilled employees rs he thinks
necessary to perform the duties Of the
office providing maximum sums paid
to the employees In the following
classes shall be: Boolkeepers 42.750:
stenographers $1,200: and craftsmen
$2,AO0.
The maximum total annual ex-
pense Of the highway department.
exclusive Of all outside employees and
assistants and engineering and In
spection work. Is set at $4,000.
The commission would hold its first
meeting 10 days after the proposed
bill took effect, upon the call Of the
governor In the state capitol. The
commission would meet thereafter ut
the call Of the governor. state auditor.
or tho Commissioners Of highways.
The bin would repeal or modify all
previous laws that conflict.