The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-01-29
HINT AMAZING
HIGHWAY QUIZ
DISCLOSURES
Senate Probe Committee Is
Barring Startling Evil
dence, SAYS Frey.

Robert D. Borne, Democratic
member Of the state highway COM
mission, was summoned to appear
before the senate highway investi-
eating committee for questioning
today in regard to purchasing pro-
cedure Of the department and COM
n1issioners.
Startling disclosures surrounding
certain purchases Of equipment were
predicted by Senator Charles l..
Strey (Rep., Kosciusl1o and Wabash)
upon announcing that Boren had
been summoned by Jerome Brown,
chief doorkeeper of the senate.
The quiz Is scheduled for the su-
preme court room upon afternoon
adjournment Of the senate, Strey
said.
We have several witnesses to call
and viii piece out the story of high
way purchasing methods which
never before have been made pub
lie" the senator asserted. "Tires.
cement, snow plows and automotive
equipment all are to be looked into
In this investigation.
Later we will call Director John
j. Brown and other members Of the
commission to explain certain facts
disclosed"
Ihat the probe may go into the
matter of the Evansville bridge also
was asserted by the committee
chairman. Members of the COM
mittee may go to Kentucky next
week to confer with officials there.
Tire Contract Studied
Among the matters being in.
yestigated, it was learned, is the
charge that purchasers of standard
products were not made from the
low bidder and allegedly resulted in
loss Of thousands of dollars to the
state.
This was said to form the basis
for questioning today of r. E.
Rodgers of the Lee Tire Company
Of Evansville, who appeared before
the committee.
Lee tires we're said to have been
bid low at the annual tire letting
last October, but contracts went to
six other companies whose bids
all were standardized.
Although commissioners gave as
surance that contracts would be
awarded to the lowest bidder, they
refused to explain this action, it is
alleged.
nIanIove to Testify
Omer Manlove, garage superin-
tendent and hold-over from the
regime Of former Governor Ed
jackson, will be summoned to ap-
pear before the committee and ex-
plain the tire bids, it was asserted.
Manlove had charge of the read
tngs and tabulations.
Shifting of the investigation to
purchasing by the department. gave
the latter new turn. The resolu-
ton introduced by Strey calling for
investigation asked the committee
be appointed to probe failure to
collect federal highway funds, and
attempted use Of political pressure
on United States highway engineers
to relax their standards.
Probe Is Unlimited
1--WE are not confined in this mat
ter to any one thing" Strey ex-
planned. II expect to prove that
the present commission and per-
sonnet is inefficient, if not worse,
and that the entire set-up should
be changed"
The bill providing for a shift to
four full-time commissioners long
has been ready for introduction in
the senate.
One accomplishment that already
has come from the investigation,
Strey pointed out, is the certainty
that the highway department must
pay per cent interest on $1,60o,000
in funds borrowed last July from
the cities, counties and towns share
of the gasoline tax. This will mean
at least $4,000 additional for use
on local roads the senator pointed
oiit