Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1932-05-19
BIG SAVINGS
ON ROAD JOBS
Rejection of Five Paving Contracts
on Trunk Road Construction Or
dered by Big Three.
BY HENRY G. TEIGAN

A saving of approximately $275,00O
was recently made on five state paw
ing contracts. This saving repre-
sented a high percentage of the total
amount of the contracts let which
totalled $749,229.
This huge reduction in highway
construction costs came about through
the Intervention of the commission of
administration and finance (Big
Three) who caused previous bids to
be rejected on the ground that they
were not awarded in conformity with
rules of the highway department
which limited the total amount of
paving to be done by single con-
tractor in one season.
The total amount of the five con-
tracts as originally let on April 5,
was $1,O23,712. few days later the
awards came before the Big Three
for approval. c. r. Erickson, COM
missioner of purchases, representing
the Big Three. soon discovered that
Foley Brothers of st. Paul, had been
awarded eight contracts totalling far
in excess of the amount of paving
which the rules of the highway de-
partment permitted. The commission,
acting upon Mr.. Erickson's recommen-
dation. declined approval of the
awards and so advised c. NJ. Bah
cock, highway commissioner. Mr..
BabcOck promptly rejected five of the
bids m AIDE nv this firm
Newspapers Whine.
Certain Twin City newspapers i'm
mediately began attacking the Big
Three. They were obviously incensed
at the thought that Foley Brothers
lost out on the contracts. Intima-
lions were made that the highway de-
partment was being cOerced into re-
jecting the bids for political or other
reasons.
On May 3, last, the contracts were
let to new bidders for S749,229. The
amount being approximately 1000
below the Foley bids on these same
five contracts one month earlier.
The newspapers found themselves
in trouble. 1t was undeniable that a
huge saving to the state had been
made and the credit for the same
rested with the Big Three. How
could this act of economy on the part
of Governor Olson's Big Three be
discredited? That was the question.
Briggs Charges Conspiracy.
Immediately after the letting of the
contracts on May 3, certain contrac-
tors who had failed to come under
the wire last November in their bids
for highway jobs brought action
through Attorney Asa Briggs of ST.
Paul, charging certain other contrac-
tors with conspiracy in securing con-
tracts from the state highway de-
partment. An injunction is being
sought by Mr.. Briggs to secure re-
lection of these contracts on the
ground of conspiracy to defraud the
state.
CuriOusly enough the newspapers
thought that this suit could be taken
Three and thereby gain some revenge
on account OF the rejection of the
Foley contracts.
Whether a conspiracy on the part
of the attacked contractors actually
existed last November may be a ques-
ton. That there is a conspiracy on
the part of certain Republican news
papers to spread falsehoods concern
ing the present administration is,
however, a certainty.
False Statements.
Among the Measurements made by
these newspapers are the following:
1. That the Big Three awards
highway contracts and that the
highway commissioner may cause
their rejection.
2. That the Big Three had laid