The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1935-04-06
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letter.
Macdonald, after his original let
ter, telegraphed Wexford that his
communication was not meant to be
construed g meaning he desired the
removal OF Olson.
On objections by defense counsel,
to the question Is to whether Olson
wired Macdonald, Verret said, I'VE
want to explain why there was q
change Of heart on the part Of Mac
Donald"
Olson also admitted he had tele-
graphed to q. 8. Senator Gerald p.
Nye, but that he received . reply Nye
was absent from Washington. Olson
said he could not remember exactly
what was In the telegram"
you're quite willing to admit that
Macdonald meant what he said. In
his first letter to me?" asked Wei
ford.
"Yes-l suppose 60" said Olson.
when they want something they 60
after you pretty hard. know that"
Olson said he believed MacDonald's
letter was for the purpose Of 'im-
pressing the need for more money for
maintenance"
Plomasen u Recalled
r. q. Plomasen, state highway
maintenance engineer, who had been
|a witness earlier, was recalled to the
stand. He said that several years
ago, the highway department aided in
distribution Of potatoes, with high
way trucks hauling potatoes from the
field to railroad cars for free distribu-
ton In the western section Of the
state.
did anybody criticize the depart
ment or attempt to remove the high
way commissioner for that?" asked
C. Leibert Crum.
Move received only praise" said
Plomasen.
He described one other instance
when Indians were sent to Washing
ton In q highway truck, for exhibit
ton. That was In 1888.
The defense called H. G. Frahm,
employed by the highway department
for II years, the last 9h years as
chief engineer.
Frahm said there were several &C.
casions on which Olson had consulted
him about salaries-in - general
way, not in detail"
He testified he had assured Olson
Engineering salaries were proper: that
he was satisfied everything was per
fectly proper"
Frahm declared he did not believe
there had been any salary changes
since Olson became commissioner.
HE hasn't raised any you know
of" queried Crum. mo, think
not. was the answer.
Winter Work Impractical
Asked II it is practicable to re.
pair, rebuild, or regravel roads In
January and February in North Da.
kota, Frahm replied generally not.
He said the dry weather has made
maintenance difficult" and that II
was mot practicable" to repair btu
|r,inous roads in cold weather.
Verret opened cross-examination o.
Frahm do you owe your appoint
ment to Ole Olson?' Frahm replied
NO." but he said he could have beer
fired by him."
| Questioning legal salary limits
Verret asked did Olson think salar'
les were too high?" He didn't say,
Frahm replied.
Pressed further, Frahm said Olsor
wondered II the department wa
paying proper salaries: there was NJ
discussion of individuals"
I'm substance" said Verret, ''yol
Testify that II any mistake was made
|you are taking the blame?" Crun
Iobjected to the question as unfair
and calling for legal conclusion"
Verret said he was merely asking
that-if there was mistake-anc
Frahm said he could say yes"
Several Engineers Called
i Several district engineers were call.
led, led off by George E. Hanson o.
the Bismarck division.
He was asked by Crum II since thu
first of the year there had been an,
time when you could have repaired
! tituminous surfaces?"
mo-" Hanson said. 1T was tot
Icold."
Are there any roads 1T present
!. where needed regraveling could have
, been done since January q, 1882
! questioned Crum.
mot economically. The pits arr
closed up, covered with frozen dirt"
Hanson testified the work Of gath
. Iering feed data did not interfere witt
Ibis duties or those Of employees under
, him. In some cases. Hanson said
. roads were dragged by automobiles
instead Of horses, because Of lack o
feed.
Crum met objections when he at
. tempted to call each Of the distric
: engineers. Several more were called
all Of whom testified similarly.
Il Verret offered to "stipulate all tn
district engineers will testify thei
divisions are in good shape, that al
I assistant engineer Is different thar
| Ian assistant bridge engineer, that
, was necessary to gather information
regarding feed and that Olson is
!, competent highway commissioner ant
did the best he could under the cir
, c,lmstances."
CAMBRIDGE WINS RACE
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