The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1933-01-27
SECRETARY GIVES
PR0bERS outline
OF METHODS USED
Tells Of Trips Taken BY Com.
mission to Inspect Other
Buildings
SENT OUT QUESTloNNAlRES
~ Architects Made AppIica-
ton, Including North Da-
kotans Probers Hear
Selection Of architects, architectural

Selection Of architects, architectural
fees and contracts, and minutes Of the
North Dakota capitol commission
were under examination Friday as
E r. sinkler, counsel, led the legisla-
tive investigation committee through
the second day Of the hearing.
Frank L. Anders. secretary Of the
commission, was on the stand nearly
two hours. He was questioned by
Sinkler, Senators Chas. q. Bangert
and Senator w. e. Matthaei, chair
man Of the investigating committee.
As the hearing was adjourned until
Saturday, sinkler was examining An
ders on 5000 expense allowance for
architects.
After q few preliminary questions
concerning organization Of the board
and hiring Of Anders, Sinkler turned
to trips taken by the capitol commits
sion.
He asked Anders what cities had
been visited, the secretary told him
Grand Forks, Fargo. the Twin Cities
and Chicago with later trip to Lin
coin, Neb., to look over the new cap
itol building there.
Anders was asked how the archi-
tects for North Dakotas new capitol
were selected. He said he sent out
questionnaires and from the answers
tabulated qualifications for informa-
ton Of members Of the commission.
He said a architects. were examined.
including seven or eight North Dakota
architects.
Says Publicity Failed
sinkler asked II any Of the "east-
ern" architectural firms had public
ity men" In Bismarck to boost" quail
fications Of their firms before archi-
tectural contracts were let.
Anders answered there were and
mentioned the Pillsbury Engineering
company Of Minneapolis and Granger
and Bollenbacher Of Chicago.
On examination he said Holabird
end Root. Chicago. associate archi-
tects In the construction Of the capt.
tol. did not have any.
Sinkler then turned to trip Of the
commission to Chicago. Anders sale
the trip was to study the qualifica-
lions Of architects under considera-
ton. including Holabird and Root.
did you meet Col. Hackett Of Hola-
bird and Root them" sinkler asked.
mo-" Anders replied.
"Has he been to Bismarck" asked
sinkler.
VERY frequently" Anders answered.
Sinkler inquired whether q brother
Of Col. Hackett was working for the
Lundoff -Bicknell company, general
contractors, on the capitol Job In Bis
marck and Anders answered yes. He
said Hackett's brother Is helping to
unload materials In the railroad
yards
Brotherly Relations
Later Senator Bangert suggested
that the employment Of two brothers
by two companies would indicate"
close relationship between the COM
panieS.
Anders answered he hardly thought
II necessarily 90.
Upon further questioning by Sink
Ter, AnderS told the investigating COM
mittee that J. Bell DeRemer,, Grand
Forks, and w. r. Kurke, Fargo. were
the chief architects and the Chicago
firm Of Holabird and Root were aseo.
ciate architects.
He also reported that the supervi-
sion Of the work on the capitol was
under the supervision Of the North
Dakota men.
Didn't the Chicago company draw
the first pictures Of the proposed
building, sinkler asked. Anders an
swered yes adding that the North
Dakota firms had everything to do
with the drawing Of plans and spect-
fications.'
Anders was questioned on the fees
paid to architects In North Dakota
and said he had heard five per cent
was the usual fee. He reported that
the fee on the capitol building was six
per cent on the general contract and
one and one-half per cent on the me.
chanical contracts.
Bangert examined Anders concern
ing the cost Of the building on COM
pletion. He wanted to know the ex-
act figure. Anders said he could not
give an exact figure. He thought It
would cost not more than 4l,776yO00.
No Exact Figures
Bangert was insistent that he want
ed m exact" figure and AndeFs told
him he thought the cost Of any build
ing could not be stated exactly"
Bangert asked what the need" was
for hiring associate architects and
Anders said there Was little oppor-
tunity In North Dakota for any arch
jtects to get experience on the class
Of work such . the capitol building.
and naturally It was felt necessary
20 hire associate architects"
Publication Of the annual report Of
tho secretary Of the capitol commits.
sion was brought into the hearing By
Baneert. He wanted to know why
the 1881 report Was not printed Ia
January. 1857. and Anders explained
Il was 10 save money. He said thu re-
port covering 1852 Is to b printed
Saturday.
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