The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1933-02-08
MAYTHAEI WILLING
TO HEAR MEMBERS
OF BUILDING BODY
Gives Personal Opinion That
Commissioners Should Have
Fair Opportunity
(By The Associated Press)

A strong personal stand In favor Of
granting members OF the capitol
building commission an opportunity
to be heard by the joint legislative In
vestigating committee was taken last
night by Senator w. E. Matthaei,
Wells county, chairman Of the inves-
tigating group.
He issued q statement that, as
chairman Of the joint committee, he
desired Ito have 1t clearly understood
that, as far as I am concerned" any
or all members Of the commission
would be heard II they wished to Of
fer testimony.
The three members Of the capitol
commisston-0eorge A. Bangs, chair
man, Fred I. Conklin, Bismarck, and
G. A. Fraser-have not been called to
the stand since the investigation hear
ings were begun January Is. Fraser
recently resigned, after the commit
tee charged he had duplicated travel
expense vouchers.
It is understood Bangs and Conklin
will avail themselves Of the oppor-
tunity to appear before the investi-
gators II the committee grants them
this permission. Conklin has been q
spectator at the hearings every day
since the probe was begun, while
Bangs has attended since his arrival
here last week. George w. Thorp.
counsel for the commissioners, has
been in constant attendance, and on
two occasions interjected questions at
the hearings.
Wants To Treat Fairly
Matthaei,s statement began with .
declaration that lin view Of the fact
that it has been circulated in various
quarters at different times that there
was no disposition on the part Of the
capitol investigating committee to
treat fairly with members Of the state
capitol commission" he. Is chairman
wished to be understood as agreeable
to permitting the commissioners Ito
testify to facts In their possession"
He added that this held for amy
one else that has in his possession any
facts regarding the affairs Of the cap
itol building commission which they
desire to have this committee inform
ed on"
Certainly my personal opinion Is"
Matthaei said, that either Mr.. Bangs.
Mr.. Conklin, Mr.. Fraser or anybody
else that desires to come forward and
be heard In respect to explaining,
correcting or simplifying testimony
already adduced, viii be granted such
opportunity.
''Needless to say that whoever comes
forward to give testimony In regard
to the affairs Of the capitol building
commission will. Of course, be exam
ined as any other witness that has
been called by the committee. It Is
not the object to suppress any pertin-
ent testimony that Is relevant to the
matters under investigation by the
committee.
"The committee Is only fact
finding body and therefore 1t has no
disposition to suppress information
that will tend to either condone or
condemn any Of the acts or activities
OF anybody connected with construc-
ton Of the new capitol building"
Under the rules by which the In.
vestigation Is proceeding, q majority
vote Of the committee Is necessary to
permit the commissioners to testify.
The committee Is composed Of seven
members, Of which five, including
Matthaei. are affiliated with the Nom
partisan League, and two with the In
dependent Voters association faction.