The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1933-01-10

Committees Are Appointed in N. d. House
Probe Of
Ca pitoI
Demanded

cOmpleCe lnveSClgeCl0n OF the cap.
itol building commission was introduce
ed In the North Dakota senate Tues
day.
Senators G. w. Fine OF Benson coun-
ty and w. Z. Matthaei Of Wells county
presented the proposal which received
the Endorsement Of the Nonpartisan
League caucus Monday night.
Investigation Of the letting Of con-
tracts and the construction Of the
$4,000 900 new statehouse Is asked In
the resolution which refers to alleged
''rumors" regarding the activity Of the
commission.
The commission, composed Of
George A. Bangs, Grand Forks. chair
man; q. Angus Fraser, Fargo; and
Fred Conklin, Bismarck, was appoint
ed by former Governor George F.
shafer March ~, 1891, under q mea-
sure enacted by the legislature two
years ago.
An appropriation OF $500 to carry
out the investigation Is sought by the
resolution. Appointment Of . joint
legislative committee Of seven men,
bers. three from the senate and four
from the house is proposed.
The text Of the resolution follows
In part:
"For q complete investigation Of
the capitol building commission. its
activities and actions in connection
with the letting Of contracts, prep.
aration and acceptance of plans and
specifications, erection and construc.
ton of the new capitol building, and
including alterations made, materials
used, and all other acts Of said COM
mission in connection with said
building and, II possible, provide for
q reduction Of the cost Of said build
ing.
BE It resolved by the senate Of
the state Of North Dakota, the house
Of representatives concurring, that:
Whereas, 1t Is rllmored, and gen.
orally believed, that the capitol build
ing commission awarded contracts
for the erection and completion of
said building In violation of the spirit
and intent Of chapter 205, session
laws Of 1891 Of this state. and,
Whereas, it was the Intention OF
the state legislature, as expressed In
chapter 205 aforesaid, that said capt.
tol building should, II possible, be
erected by North Dakota contractors
and that North Dakota labor and
material should be used as far as
possible In the construction of said
building, and, yet, 1t Is rumored and
generally believed that the capitol
commission awarded most Of the
contracts for the erection and con.
struction. as well as for materials
furnished and labor used, to parties
outside Of the state, without due re-
gard for the spirit and intent OF said
chapter 2o5; and.
Whereas. 1t is rumored, and gen.
orally believed, that the contracts
awarded for the erection Of said
building have, since their execution
and delivery, been divided into three
sections without properly safeguard
Ing the interests Of the state; and,
Whereas. 1t Is rumored, and gen.
orally believed, that the manner In
which the contracts were awarded
and are now being carried into ef-
feet indicate that the resident arch
fleets are architects In name only and
that practically all matters pertain
ing to the work are handled and d.
rected by the associate architects in
Chicago; and
Whereas, 1t is rumored and gen.
orally conceded that the building. II
completed, will. In its accommoda-
tons, exceed by far the necessary
requirements, and that the ultimate
cost Of said building Is an unknown
quantity; and
whereas. there Is . general de-
mand on the part Of the people of
the State of North Dakota that In
the depression and economical and
financial stress action should be
taken to save public funds: and,
whereas. 1t Is generally believed
that substantial saving can be made
II the spirit and intent Of Chapter
205, Session Laws of 1881, are fol-
lowed and the best interests Of the
state and its people considered In the
erection and construction Of said cap
itol building.
Nov, Therefore: Be It Resolved
by the 23rd legislative assembly Of
the State Of North Dakota, assembled
In its regular biennial session. that
committee OF seven, consisting Of
three senator's and four members OF
the house Of representatives shall be
chosen by the presiding officers Of
the senate and house Of representa-
tives. respectively, which committee
shall be known e the capitol build
ing investigating committee. The
chairman Of this committee shall be |
designated and named by the presi-
dent Of the senate"