The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-04-28
Bangs Fau0rs Brick
For State Capitol
Declares Stone Would Cost
From $40, 600 to $4,000
More Than Brick
SPEAKS At U CoNvoCATIoN
Says Proposed Reduction Of As
sessed Values Would Re.
duce Capitol Fund

Grand Forks, N. D., April 2e.-(R-
Necessity for economy in the con-
struction of the new state capitol
building will be emphasized more
than ever II the proposed reduction Of
assessed values is adopted by the
voters at the June primaries, George
A. Bangs of Grand Forks, chairman
Of the state capitol commission, told
students and faculty members Of the
University Of North Dakota at q con-
vocation Thursday morning.
This reduction, he explained. would
cut the receipts from the millage tax
for the capitol building, initiated by
the 1929 legislature to continue
through 1910.
Among the important problems now
under consideration which must be
determined soon by the commission
Is the question Of the materials to be
used in facing the walls Of the capitol
building, Bangs said.
These walls, he continued, are ap-
proximately "a inches In thickness, OF
which IL inches will be common brick,
four inches dead air space, four inches
tile and the remaining four inches
will be the external wall facing. The
latter, for all practical purposes, is
limited to pressed brick, which may
be a North Dakota product, and as an
alternative, limestone, which neces-
sarily Is foreign product, he stated.
To Consider Policy
In making choice between the
North Dakota Product and the for
eign limestone, among the factors
which he said the commission must
consider are the policy of the state,
durability, precedent and appropriate
ness, beauty and cost.
It Is the policy Of the state to re-
strict its expenditures for materials
and employment to residents Of the
state, Bangs explained.
Among the reasons which may be
given in support of this policy, he
stated, are that the state should have
jurisdiction through its own courts
over those who transact business
within the state; that 1t is deemed de-
sirable to retain within the state
profits from improvements and ma
terial contracts; to subject such prof.
its to this states income tax rather
than to that Of other states; avoid de-
pletion of resources and taxable prop
erty by letting money unnecessarily
be carried out Of the state; to furnish
employment to resident labor, and to
aid the morale of the people by in
creasing their business.
It was pointed out that the policy
Of the state imposes no legal obliga-
ton, but that the obligation Is entire
ly moral save as the policy finds ex-
preston in statutory enactment.
In Four Particulars
This was said to be expressed in the
capitol commission law In four par
ticulars as follows:
l. There must be North Dakota
architect.
2. North Dakota material must be
given preference Of five per cent.
3. North Dakota contractors must
be given a preference Of three per
cent.
4. Wherever practicable, preference
must be given to bona fide residents
in all work, labor. employment and
positions.
AS to durability, 1t was pointed out
that such choice as there may be
favors brick which will hold its color
fully as well and will not chip. mar or
stain SO readily: In any event brick
will outlast any use to which it may
be put In the construction Of the cap
itol.
Custom has established use Of stone
in state capitols, Bangs said. but this
Is weakened by the fact that the adj
ministration unit Is essentially q bus
mess block. In the final analysis, he
said, appropriateness and suitability
depend on the surroundings rather
than on the article used.
Regarding beauty, the question was
said to construct beautiful brick
building. or at greater expense and
in apparent violation Of state policy,
build a more beautiful stone building.
Stone More Expensive
Stone facing would cost from $40
600 to $3.50, 900 more than brick facing,
he said, It would require foreign
skilled labor to place the stone fac
ing In the wall, and the quarry and
greater part Of the freight payrolls
would be outside the state. he ex-
planned.
With brick facing, he pointed out,
money for materials and labor would
be spent entirely within the state.
The capitol copmission has in
structed its architects to prepare the
plans and specifications 50 that bids
for brick as well as stone facing can
be taken. Bangs said.
This. he explained. win enable the
commission to determine the exact
difference In cost between the two
types. Plans and specifications will
be completed about June and the
bids win be received about July IS.
he said.