The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1933-02-07
An Up-T0-The Mit,utl
OF The City's Wants
C. ON T I N U E ID
~ ,lto0 paOe onos
Former Governor
is Probe Witness

Former Governor
Is Probe Witness
explained he feared suspension Of
work before the tower unit and en-
closure Of the legislative unit were
completed under provisions Of Bud
get B."
He emphasized again that, although
there was q million dollars available
to the commission then, the addition
al fund from sale Of certificates
brought the amount up to the figure
believed necessary for completion OF
the work that far.
He said the Bank Of North Dakota
was paying the capitol commission
interest on the fund from the sale Of
the bonds so the cost to the state was
actually less than the five per cent
interest rate on the bonds.
Shafer explained that the Bank OF
North Dakota pays the capitol COM
mission one per cent on its open &C
count and two and one half per cent
interest on the time certificates.
A Choice Of Words
When Sinlkler asked Shafer II he
dictated" the policies Of the bank,
Shafer said he did not like the use
Of the word and the committees at
torney remarked. II would say then.
suggested Shafer explained that
the bank manager did not act favor
ably on all Of his suggestions unless
he considered them sound"
Questions by Sen. w. +. Matthaei,
chairman. Of the committee. brought
from Shafer the explanation of how
the funds for the capitol are being
supplied. The former governor said
they included insurance from the
old capitol, conversion into cash OF
all the capitol building funds set up
in previous years, and tax collections
from the capitol commission levy up
through the year 1910.
The former governor was on the
stand more than an hour.
He was preceded by Russell q.
Better, architect who made m IN
vestigation for the committee OF the
concrete being used in the new capi-
toll.
Better said under the "water-ce-
ment'' ratio now being used by the
general contractors, Lundoff.BlcK-
nell, he believed saving Of about -
per cent In cement was being effect
ed. He said he had heard the con-
tractors did not intend to return this
saving to the state and later under
Matthaei's examination said Il was
lust told they we're not going to re-
turn the saving" adding. why not
ask them. They probably can ex-
plain so you ought TO give them q
chance to explain"
Better informed the committee ne
thought there was not "a better look
ing Job Of concrete In the state.
After Better asked Matthaet sever
al questions, Matthaei interrupted.
"You answer that question" he told
Better. I'm not on the witness
stand. have not been sworn" And
w. J. Flanagan, another member OF
the committee suggested, Il believe
you are trying to cross-examine the
committee"
Murphy Il Witness
H. +. Murphy, Bismarck insurance
man was the last on the stand. He
was examined concerning bonds and
insurance he had written for the
capitol and the contractors.
Murphy said he had split premiums
with Captain H. L. Edwards OF Grand
Forks and the Baker Agency OF Far
20. in several instances collecting the
entire premium and then dividing
! with the other agencies.
Under examination he said he had
talked with the T. p. Riley Company
OF Fargo about their bond and said
Riley told him he could get the bond
cheaper through some one else.
Bangert asked II he told Riley he
controlled the capitol commission.
Murphy said no.
Just as q motion for adjournment
was made Murphy was asked to di-
vulge the commissions he had gotten
for writing the policies and bonds and
he said he preferred to consult with
his counsel before answering.
Sinkler and Bangert both told him
he should do so immediately because
the committee would subpoena his
records to find out II he did not give
the information voluntarily.
Members Of the capitol commission
may be permitted to take the stand
to explain any questions regarding
their work after the investigating
committee completes examination OF
its witnesses, 1t was reported Tues
day.
The committee expects to conclude
its hearings the latter part Of the
week. Yet to appear on the stand are
the Grand Forks architects Samuel
T. DeRemer and Joseph Bell DeRem-
er, two Of the state architects on the
new capitol, and probably some Of the
witnesses who already have appear
ed.