The Bismarck tribune., 1933-01-20
APPROVAL IS GIVEN
ESENATER RESOLUTION
BY Vote OF S2-28
$500 Appropriation to Fl.
nance inquiry untouch.
ed After Debate
WILL EMPLOY ASSISTANTS
Action in Lower Legislative
Branch fastened BY Sus.
pension Of Rules
WILL EMPLOY ASSISTANTS

Investigation Of the North Dakota
Capitol commission charged with
erecting the new $4,000, 900 state cap
itol, awaits only signatures Of the
presiding officers Of the legislature
and their naming Of the joint investi-
eating committee.
The house passed the capitol inves-
tigation resolution late Thursday by
q vote of 81 to %.
The senate passed it Wednesday,
80 to Is.
The resolution contains . provis-
ion for q $500 appropriation for ex-
perses Of the investigation. Members
Of the committee are expected to be
named this week.
The resolution provides for appoint
ment Of q committee composed OF
three senators and four house mem-
bers, with authority to employ such
assistance as it deems necessary" and
makes 1t the duty OF the attorney
generals office to assist the commit
tee in its work when called on.
Action on the resolution was hast
ened when rules were suspended to
permit third reading.
M. H. Lynch, Richland county, sug-
gested then that action on the reso-
luton be deferred another day be-
csuse Of the appropriation provision.
Herbert F. SWEET. majority leader,
said he thought the matter was fam
THAR enough to all and action should
not be delayed.
Many Explain Votes
As the roll call was begun there
were Interruptions as members arose
to explain their votes.
H. D. Piper, Mcintosh Logan coun-
ties, said he was in favor Of the reso-
luton because Of the chances that
the taxpayers OF this state may be
saved thousands of dollars"
Milton Rue. Burleigh, opposed the
resolution. II am a contractor" he
said, whatever you do In any con-
tract OF any size, there are q lot OF
rumors. They don't mean anything
I can't see how this body can approp-
riate $500 on rumors."
r. F. Strutz, Stutsman, voting for
the resolution, said If I was one OF
these men I would want my name
cleared" He said he thought the
$500 was small In comparison with
the amount to be spent for the new
capitol.
J. M. Thompson, Burleigh, said he
was opposed to the resolution and to
"some attorneys" getting q good SAL
ary out Of 1t. He suggested using the
attorney general and the two state af.
fairs committees for the work.
w. j. Flanagan, Stutsman, sought
t. stop L. L. Twichell. Cass, from
explaining his vote opposing the
resolution.
"Are we debating this question or
are you voting?" he asked Twichell.
I am explaining my VOTE" inter-
posed Twichell, continuing his refer
erences to ''rumors" and the prelim-
mary hearing Monday In . Bismarck
hotel.
Attacks Expense Item
Instead Of that meeting being held
IN this house As agreed by the state
affairs committee 1t was taken over
to small room In the Patterson ho-
tel" he said. 1.-THE architects. con-
tractors and members Of the board
all came here In good faith. expect
ing to deny these rumors, and inso-
Tar as the rumors are concerned, I
think I know what they are and they
have been answered satisfactorily to
me. This investigation could have
been held without expense"
Investigation Of the Bank of North
Dakota ia 1921 was discussed on point
OF privilege after the vote was taken,
by Flannigan and Twtchell. but their
heated remarks were expunged from
the records by vote of the house.
Flanagan said those sponsoring the
1871 Investigation never thought it
would take $4,000 at that time when
they voted that investigation and
they didn't make any limit, but as .
matter OF fact 1t did take $4,000 and
at that time they employed two COM
petent attorneys do the work."
Twichell replied, before that ses-
sion the people had initiated . law
providing for these audits ana our
friend Mr.. william Lemke was at
torney general and we couldn't ret
an audit through him. Of course, 90
we had to raise the money ourselves"
Referring to the Bank Of North
Dakota audit. he said the !. v. AS.
raised $4,000 Of private funds. He
stated Governor william LAnger
''helped to obtain contributions. Two
years later. Twichell said. the Agis-
1eture appropriated the funds spent
for the investigation.
Voting against the resolution were:
Brunsdale. Correll, Cunningham. Ditt.
mer, Flaten. Hillman. Holte, Homnes,
Jardine, johnson, Johnston, Jones.
Lynch. McKellar. Morgan, Muus, Nell
son Of Morton. Peters, Rathbun. Rue,
Smith, eteedsm n. Symlngton.
Thompson. Trayuor, Twichell. Wright
and Young.
Born. Holthusen and Mostad were
absent. The others voted for tho In
vestieatiou.