The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1933-11-21
DALE PROTESTS BUT
AGREES TO PAY Big 1
. sum TO ENGINEERS.
State Treasurer Scores Misuse
of Funds But Asserts He
Can't Stop Il
State Treasurer Alfred Dale said

OGNlS XICdSUACI AllEeO 0alC SdlS4
Tuesday his office will pay the Pills
bury Engineering company $500
following receipt of an attorney gen.
erals opinion that the treasurer
should pay the warrants issued the
firm for plans and speci-
fications for power plant ut the
state penitentiary.
In statement saying that under
the circumstances the warrants will
be paid. Dale severely criticised the
allowance Of the fee BY the state
board Of administra ton and the state
industrial commission. Construction
Of the plant was abandoned after the
North Dakota Power and Light COM
pany agreed to furnish electricity for
state buildings In Bismarck and Man.
dan at a reduced rate, estimated by
state officials to effect a saving Of
$4,000 year.
Dale termed the payment as "prac-
tically a donation"
No Definite Contract
"There should have been q definite
contract In the first place." Dale's
statement said, with fixed charge
instead Of the. uncertain and indefi-
mite terms under which the foreign
company alleges they dealt with the
industrial commission. This same bill
was presented last summer under the
LANCER. Gronna, HUSKY industrial
commission, but did not receive a
second. It was resurrected after No
vembcr l and allowed"
Dale pointed to the law providing
for q $25o.0o0 bond issue for co,istruc-
tion Of q power plant at the prison.
This office. however" Dale said,
''can see no justification under the
above quoted law for the payment Of
s.. 900 from other funds, inasmuch as
specific method Of reimbursement
Is made In this law from which 1t
would seem all payments should be
made"
The board Of administration and
industrial commission authorized
payment Of the engineering fees from
funds OF institutions benefitttng by
the reduced electric rates.
"The controlled boards have okay-
ed the irregular means OF payment
all along the line" Dale declared.
This would seem to be an irregular
payment Of public funds to q foreign
company for q service which might
just as we'll have been performed by
the engineering staff Of some state
department for small percentage OF
the excessive charges made"
Holds Charge Excessive
Dale said the railroad commission
is making q complete survey of the
electric system of the city Of Grand
FORKS for possibly one-third Of the
amount charged BY this foreign COM
pany for some blueprints and type
written sheets Of specifications"
He charged it was unnecessary to
go beyond the limits Of the state
when state departments and institu-
lions have competent engineers quail
flied to perform the same service.
and expressed the opinion that pay
ment Of this enormous sum Is abSo-
lutely irregular
But with certain boards and off,
Gals lining up and supporting the ir-
regular payment" Dale continued
1T Is useless for me to try further to
prevent it. Until the public becomes
aroused over the irregularity. the ex-
tortion. the waste and extravaganza
being practiced In certain quarters
backed up by able legal talent to keep
everything within the law, there Is
very little that an individual, or . few
individuals can do to stop It.
Under the circumstances, the war
rants will be paid when presented
again to the state treasurer's office