The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1933-01-31
Verbal Sparks Fly
At Capitol Inquiry
Commission Lawyer Charges
Unfairness, Expulsion
Threatened
ARCHITECT IS ON STAND
Fiars-Up Comes When Kurks
10 Denied Permission to
Present Explanation

protest against "u01alr" eXamlu-
alton Of witnesses by tho legislative
investigating committee, made by
George w. Thorp, Fargo, acting
counsel for the capitol commission,
brought q warning Tuesday that II
Thorp interrupted again . motion
would be made to exclude him from
all future hearings.
Thorp's protest came during ex-
animation Of w. r. Kurke, one Of the
architects for the new two million
dollar capitol building.
Kurke had asked permission to ex-
plain hts answers to questions put to
him by E. r. sinkler, investigating
committee counsel. Sinkler said
Kurke had answered 80 no explana-
ton was needed.
Thorp interrupted. He said the In
vestigation and system Of examination
results In monumental unfairness,' -
and asked that the committee listen
to Kurke's explanation.
Sinkler turned to Sen. w. Z. Mat
thaei, chairman Of the committee, and
said Thorp had to submit his question
to the committee.
Thorp continued. saying no was
not through. He said the commission
was not In the hearing to flight"
run" or apologize" and I'VE beg and
implore the privilege" to disclose the
facts. He said the examination Of
the witness was unfair"
Bangert Makes Threat
&nv r1a0~1Ao n0~~Ark also a
member Of the committee, interrupted
to say that II Thorp again violated
the rules Of the hearing, he would
move to bar him from the hearing.
Bangert added that II Kurke were
permitted to explain well be here
six months"
Kurke was called to the stand
shortly after the legislative hearing
was resumed. Sinkler examined him.
He asked II Kurke knew Of any unit
prices being filed on the contracts.
II do" Kurke said.
Can you produce those unit
prices?" Sinkler asked, and Kurke
said I'VE can"
Kurke said they were In their Of
fees on the "hill" where the new cap
itol Is being built.
sinkler asked II the original unit
prices were the same as those when
the contract was signed and Kurke
answered mo- Sinkler wanted to
know where the originals were and
Kurke told him In the office Of the
general contractors, Lundoff- Bick-
nell.
sinkler asked II 1t were usual to
have unit prices in contracts In .
building such Is the capitol.
Kurke offered to explain.
6inkler told him to answer the
question.
"You won't permit me to explain7'
asked Kurke.
sinzler again told Kurke to answer
the question.
Names Those Present
The investigating committee coun-
sci then asked Kurke who were the
persons present when the general
contract was signed and Kurke named
them.
sinEler wanted to know where the
original contract was prepared and
Kurke said George Bangs. attorney
and member Of the capitol commits
sion, had drafted it but that revisions
were made and copying was done In
Chicago.
Referring to divisions Of the con.
tract into "a, n" and &C" sections
as related to the three steps In the
construction Of the building, Sinkler
asked when Kurke first learned Of
the three parts.
Kurke said after the June election
and asked to make further explana-
ton. 6inkler told him he had an
swered the question, and then inquir-
ed whether he had seen = "confiden-
tial" letter sent BY Bangs TO Col. H.
B. Racket Of the architectural firm
CONTINUED On rase 8even)