The Bismarck tribune., 1935-03-25
"a
OLSON GIVES TEXT
OF REFUSAL LETTER
TOPRESS OF State
Quotes Federal Road Head aS
Not Asking His Removal
From Office
ILLS ARE ANCIENT ONES
Asserts Trouble in Department
Goes Back to Laxity Of
vogel's Regime
ILLS ARE ANCIENT ONES

Ole II. Olson, former governor and
now state highway commissioner, Mon
day made public the text Of his letter
to Governor Walter Wexford in which
he refused to resign as highway chief.
Olson was at Cavalier on highway de-
partment business when his letter
was given to the press here.
At the same time he disclosed that
Thomas H. Mcdonald, chief Of the
federal bureau Of public roads, an
swering q query by Olson, had sent .
telegram to Governor Wexford In
which he disclaimed any recommen-
dation for OlsonS removal.
In q telegram to Olson, Mcdonald
said: Il am wiring governor to effect
that our letter carried no suggestion
as to your displacement. We have
had full cooperation from you. Causes
Of conditions which we called to the
attention Of the governor for correc-
ton preceded. by many months. your
appointment.
Text Of Olson's Refusal
In his letter to Wexford, in which
he refused to resign, Olson said:
This will acknowledge receipt Of
your communication Of March q,
asking for my resignation. As you
did me the courtesy Of showing me
the letter from the bureau Of public
roads, which you state compels you
to take this step, I am reluctantly
convinced that your request Is not
based On anything contained IN the
letter and that you have either to-
tally misunderstood the contents or
that you. as acting governor. are be-
ing dictated to by some sinister force
that you cannot resist.
1T appears to me that the sole
purpose Of the letter from the federal
bureau was to acquaint you with cer-
tain conditions throughout the state
SO that you will understand the atti-
tude Of the federal government re-
garding the maintenance of federal
aid highways.
1T has been announced through
out the state that you are going to
slash all appropriations some 10 per
cent. more or less. Due to the fact
that one Of the long-standing COM
plants by the federal government is
that this state did not appropriate
any money to properly maintain roads,
1t seems to me that the purpose Of
the letter was to inform you that the
federal bureau Of public roads does
not wish the appropriations for
maintenance to be cut.
Evils of Long Standing
HHA A.
was also apparently designed to warn
you Of certain evils arising out OF
the fact that, In the past, capable
and experienced men were In large
numbers discharged and replaced by
employees not qualified to do the
work, especially In the maintenance
positions.
THE letter specifically points out
that such . practice was general dur
Ing the time that my thrice-removed
Frank Vogel. was high
way commissioner, and that the evil
effects Of this must now be suffered
until time, labor and money can cor
rect them.
II call your attention to the fact
VsssV W1SSAS VOOA VVO1 tA110 Vx4lCS M
January. I found q considerable num-
Der Of projects not up to the standards
Of the bureau Of public roads, and
that, despite the difficulties Of win
ter months and drouth, approximately
20 projects. formerly below standard,
are now In satisfactory condition and
acceptable TO the bureau, and that .
man Of II years experience, whose
work has always been satisfactory, Is
ln charge Of maintenance department
1t this time.
Believes Charges Malicious
"You speak Of complaints OF my
department., which are on file In your
office. In your letter you did not
specify what these complaints are
based on, but I believe that I know
the substance Of them, and I am
absolutely convinced such charges are
malicious and baseless. and welcome
IN opportunity to let the public decide
Is to the merits Of such charges, III
vou see fit to make IN issue Of them.
II have an absolutely clear and
peaceful conscience in regard to my
Continued On Pags Two,