The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1933-01-26
ASKS CITIZENS TO
KEEP Minds open
ONCAP|TOLPRObE
Senator Bangert Attacks
George Bangs For Giving
Messages to Press

A plea to the citizens Of North Da-
kota to keep their minds open on the
capitol building committee investiga-
ton until It is completed and all the
facts disclosed was voiced In . radio
address Wednesday evening by
Charles @. Bangert, Enderlin, state
senator from Ransom county.
The resolution authorizing the in
vestigation provides that the COM
mittee conduct the probe In such q
manner that all the findings and
conclusions will be available to
everyone interested" Senator Ban
CERT said.
The speaker attacked George
Bangs. Grand Forks, chairman Of the
capitol commission, for giving "in-
formation to the press in advance Of
furnishing that same information to
the people to whom he and his CO.
workers must account"
Referring to message sent by
Bangs to Senator w. E. Matthaei, CO.
author Of the resolution. and which
was turned over to the press, Bangert
said Bangs should have known that
the constitution Of the state does not
grant him the absolute right to q pub
lie hearing, nor the right Of being
confronted with the witnesses, nor
does it grant him the right to cross
examine these witnesses unless per-
mitted 50 to do under the rules of
the committee. He knew, or should
have known, that those constitutional
rights are granted to q defendant in
a criminal prosecution in the courts of
his state. Certainly he knew when
preparing the message Of Jan. ~ and
releasing it to the press, that this
investigation Is not criminal pros
ecution in the courts of this state
against him nor anyone else and 1t is
merely preliminary investigation
for the purpose Of determining
whether or not prosecutions ought to
be instituted"
Witnesses Are Sworn
The commission chairman also
should have known that the investiga-
ton committee has the right to for
mulate rules for the probe and that
witnesses always are sworn, the sem
ator charged.
80 1t seems to me that I am justi-
fled In concluding" he said, that the
demands made by Mr.. Bangs were
possibly made in the hope that he
night convey the impression that he
lid not expect fair and impartial
treatment at the hands Of this COM
:nittee. Let me assure Mr.. Bangs and
his friends that II they entertain any
such ideas they are mistaken. Let
me also assure him that the investi-
CATION will be conducted entirely i'm
partial with sincere desire to get
at the facts and with no other mo-
tives or intent"
Bangert said he regrets tho ex-
pense involved In the probe but added
that 1T is so trivial when compared
with the amount Of money involved
in the project, it Is hardly worth men,
tioning."
He pointed out the taxpayers will
be called upon to pay $2.000,00 II the
present capitol plans are carried out,
and added that the capitol commits
sion itself reported that up to Dec.
l. 1882, the commission had paid out
1922, 4l2.40 to cover the expense Of
the commission, including salaries Of
secretaries and clerks and Stenograph-
ers. ct al, travel expense, office sup
plies, etc."
The speaker said there was no ac-
i've opposition to the investigation,
Though there seemed to be q diff
'erence of opinion as to the amount |
which should be appropriated to take
care Of the expenses Of the commit
tee.
Fair To Commission
us It more than fair to the men,
3ers Of the capitol commission and
their friends that q very thorough
and impartial investigation be con-