The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1933-02-06
CONTRACTOR TELLS
PROBE COMMITTEE
METHODS OF WORK
Expresses Interest in REDUCING
Cost For Benefit Of
North Dakota
QUIZ COVERS WIDE RANGE
Former Governor Shafer and
Local Insurance Man to
Appear Tuesday

Appear Tuesday
g. M. Norris. vice president of the
Lundoff -Bicknell company of Chi
cago. contractors for building North
Dakotas new capitol, told the legisla-
tive investigating committee Monday
his company was interested in saw
ing as much as possible for the state
Of North Dakota
Norris was on the stand during the
entire morning, being examined by
members of the investigating commit
tee on contracts. construction and
contractors practices, brick. prices
and other features relating to the
work of building the 1000, 600 govern.
mental home for North Dakota.
Though E. r. Sinkler, counsel Of the
legislative committee. had announced
subpoenas had been issued for for
mer Governor George F. Shafer, G
F. Mudgett, former manager Of the
Bank Of North Dakota, and H. T.
Murphy. Bismarck insurance man,
examination of Norris delayed their
appearances as we'll as that of Sam
uel T. DeRemer and Joseph Bell De-
Remer. Grand Forks architects.
Norris presented the committee with
subcontracts received by his company
prior to the signing Of the general
contract and said none of them con-
tanned unit prices. to which frequent
reference had been made in previous
hearings of the committee.
Norris explained to Senator Charles
G. Bangert. investigating committee
member. that though one bid for mar
BILE submitted to them was $l98, 600,
Lund0ff- Bicknell estimated 1t would
not cost more than $125,000.
Practices Are Probed
Throughout the morning there were
frequent references by the examiners
as to customary practices" OF con-
struction companies and sub-bidderS
with Norris telling the committee
many sub-contractors would bid one
price when they knew the general
contractor would cut that figure from
a third to a half.
Under questioning Of Bangert, Nor.
ris said the capitol commission whose
work is being investigated, had been
informed very clearly" on all items
of figures in their work. He added
that In the type of contract such as
used for the capitol, where the state
gets 80 per cent and the contractor %
per cent of any savings effected, It
was impossible to have fixed unit
prices.
Norris said his company originally
had expected to need the fire-proof-
ing brick early in the fall but a
change In plans that permitted pour
ing of concrete before fire-proofing
the steel delayed the immediate need
for the brick.
Sinkler asked Norris regarding the
use of Bedford limestone for facing
the capitol and whether Lundoff-
Bicknell intended to discourage the
use of North Dakota brick and tile to
which Norris answered, lust the OPP
posite is true. We encouraged the use
of North Dakota products"
Norris said work Of enclosing the
building will take from eight to 10
weeks after 1t Is started. He said only
minor changes have been made In the
plans and specifications.
No Assistant Superintendent
When Sinkler asked Norris II his
company had an assistant superinten-
dent on the job in Bismarck, and II
Mr.. Hackett-not the Colonel-were
that assistant, Norris said no assis-
tant was on the job now and though
one paper In exhibit showed 5000 for
an assistants salary, it was not q
charge but merely an estimate Of sal
airy in case one were employed.
Norris said the changes agreed on
included only work, with prices omit
ted.
Sinkler asked several quest o ms
about the window contract and Nor.
ris said 1t was yet to be let He ex-
planned the stone contract was lea
some time ago and all Of the stone
had been quarried but not all OF !:
had been cut.
A letter from q Toledo glass COM
pany to Lundoff- Bicknell was read l.:
which the writer said he was giving
Lundoff -Bicknell an inside price" Of
about $500 with the added inform
alton the glass company would add
about Is per cent to that price on any
other bid for the capitol work.
Norris said the letter had been re-
ceived but in spite Of the gesture
made In 1t, they expected to buy the
glass for about half that price.
w. J. Flanagan. committee menu
Der who examined Norris regarding
labor and labor arrangements, asked
|if Norris thought 1t fair" to work
laborers long overtime hours without
paying them time and half. Norris
said 1t depends on the circumstances
and explained on their Chicago con-
tracts they followed the same plan.
He said the only arrangement with
organized labor In Bismarck was as tn
minimum pay.
Books Open to Audit
As to savings from which the stats
will benefit, Norris said the books Of
his company were open to audit ct
any time by the state. He said the
state does not have any one auditing
l ~UnntinN04 - ~ AeNnA
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