The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1933-02-01
O. O N T l N u E II
from page one:
Committee Probes
Expense Accounts
OF Ex-Militia Man

ing the state would get 80 per cent OF
any savings effected and the con-
tractor would get 20 per cent.
AS the hearing closed Kurke was
being questioned concerning his SUI
pervision Of the capitol construction
his assistants and the investigation
of the qualifications of the men hired
to assist in a supervisory capacity.
PeruSal of a stenographic record of
Tuesdays session at which George
Thorp, Fargo, attorney for the capt.
tol commission, clashed with Sinkler
and several committee members, Of
fers the following version of what
happened at that time:
What Record Shows
Sinkler was asking Kurke how
many men were supervising the work
Of construction for the state.
Well" said Kurke, would you give
me the right to explain all of this"
We'll, if I were going to allow you
to explain" Sinkler interrupted, "you
would keep us here for a month and
] am not going to let YOU"
I'll make it BRIEF answered
Kurke.
That is q plain question and I
think it can be answered." said Sink
Ter. 1T doesn't need any explana-
ton. When I ask the names of men
I want to know who they are"
Here Thorp addressed the chair
man OF the investigating committee.
Charges Unfairness
I have sat here for several days"
he said, without making any re-
quests, probably don't expect to make
much of one now. We have before
us here a fair, credible and respected
witness in the hand of counsel who
has every privilege, not only to stop
him but to cross-examine him in
place of direct examination. The gen.
tleman is an architect and he knows
all about these details and he is try
ing to tell you. It is our UNI
alterable position, that the course
OF this examination, perhaps not in
tentionally, results in monumental
unfairness, and we therefore ask that
this architect, already shown to have
been OF long standing in this state,
ne permitted to explain to Mr.. Sink
Ter exactly what he did, how much
time he put in up there, both actually
on the job and physically on the job
in his office on the hill, as you call
1t, and the time that he spent with
the commission and in Fargo and
why he was in Fargo. If that is the
information you want, Mr.. Chairman.
this witness is prepared to give it to
you."
Senator Chas. B. Bangert, member
OF the investigating committee, asked
that the last question regarding who
the men were supervising the con-
struction besides Kurke be repeated.
It was read and Sinkler said, ut has
nothing to do with what Mr.. Thorp is
speaking about"
Thorp started to speak, saying "His
time" when Sinkler said, "Just
minute"
Thorp said, LET me make this
statement"
IF he (Thorp) wants to ask any
questions" Sinkler continued, under
the rules he must submit these ques-
tons to the commission"
Seeks No Controversy
I'm reply to that statement" Thorp
answered. u wish to say to this COM
mission: come here each morn
ing. I have no idea as to what the
subject of the examination is going to
be and no opportunity to submit any
questions in writing or to organize
any questions. Neither can I antic-
ipate what those questions might be.
We are not here to fight this COM
mittee. We are not here to cover up
any facts. We are not here to
apologize, and neither are we here to
run, but we are here to assist this
commission, If permitted. to disclose
every fact and every circumstance in
this case, and we have been asking
and we implore that privilege, and
I say 1t now that for counsel to take
any advantage Of any witness and to
Immediately start to cross-examine
him and not to permit him to answer
the questions in his own way and not
to permit his explanations is unfair
and such examination does not reflect
the facts"
Here Sen. Bangert addressed Sen.
w. e. Matthaei, chairman Of the in
vestigating committee.
Threatens Exclusion
TN view Of that statement" Ban
CERT said, II move that we ask Mr..
Thorp to comply with the rules and
that If he again violates the rules I
shall make motion that he be ex-
cluded for the balance Of the hear
ing"
Rep. w. J. Flanagan, also a men,
Der of the committee, seconded Ban
gert's motion, saying ''the purpose Of
sustaining that motion is this: We
are trying to find out how long and
how much time this architect put in
on the job as superintendent. TO me
it makes no difference what he did in
Fargo or with the commission.
I'VE are trying to find out how
long he put In on this Job as superin-
tendent Of construction.
MY purpose In making the mo-
tion," Bansert explained. IS that "Nr.
Thorp Is well acquainted with the
rules adopted by this commission and