The people's voice., 1959-02-27

necessary, renegot1atlonS SnOuld IN
clude consideration of reducing the
unit price if it appears that the con-
tractor is benefiting by receiving a
contract involving a less difficult
material than originally entered into
his calculations. A study of contracts
issued by other states would be in
order.
3. There should be reconsideration
of the entire routing policy so far as
| irrigated lands are concerned.
4. The present policy Of letting con-
tracts before a right is ac-
quired should be sharply curtailed.
5. More careful use should be made
of matching funds. The building of
structures such as the Billings over
pass under the 43-57%o matching
funds should be sharply curtailed in
all cases when it appears that the
project is possibly eligible for the
higher federal assistance under the
Interstate Program. This policy of
gambling our scarce funds at the rate
of 43-57@o could prove disastrous in
a state now faced with the overwhelm-
ing cost of an Interstate Highway
program.
6. At present the Montana Highway
Department is a fifty million dollar
year business. This business is be-
ing managed by part-time board of
commissioners. This board of commits
sioners should be made permanent
and full-time and that they be made
elective. In this manner we may have
a board directly responsible to the
people of the State of Montana, and
one whose full time would be devoted
to highway matters.
7. Further study of our present
routing and building policies should
be made by a qualified engineering
firm in order that we may determine
our tax moneys are being
spent wisely. At this point it is we'll
to note that mere consideration of
policy by our present Highway De-
partment would result in them justi-
flying everything that they have done
SO far. Nothing would be accomplished
by this.
8. The east-west Interstate between
Livingston and Big Timber and be-
tween Big Timber and Billings, should
De resurveyed to determine more
accurately the feasibility of follow
ng the old stage coach road between
Billings and Big Timber as recon-
nended by the valley residents. This
inc would follow approximately along
he first township line above the
base on the map. Also, particularly
n view of the fact that a dam site
S planned between Big Timber and
livingston the feasibility of routing
he Interstate Highway in the area
low occupied by the old convict grade
Dad should be considered.
9. The entire method of appraising
and to be purchased for right
purposes should be reconsidered and
tandardized in order that we may
ave a more realistic appraisal of
to be purchased. Further,
n m u m standard qualifications
hould be set up for appraisers. Fur
her purchases and building projects
on behalf of the Highway
should be handled in such
manner as to avoid large expendi-
ures of money in any one given year.
10. Where it appears that change
rder is necessary because of change
I the type of material or for other
easons, if the amount of the change
xceeds 300, the contract should be
ancelled and the bids re-let to avoid
urther situations such as happened
Springdale Hill.
IL. In the event that an expensive
nd extensive program such as we are
should result in ques-
enable practices on the part of en-
loyees of the State of Montana.
hich practices could possibly be des-
mated at malfeasance or misfeas-
nee in office, we have no choice but
J let these people remain eligible
,r retirement benefits under our
resent law. Perhaps one faced with
lie possibility of losing his retire
ent benefits in the event of NAL
'asance or misfeasance in office
ould be especially careful to avoid
.coming embroiled in questionable
For this reason those who
e guilty of these practices should
excluded from retirement benefits
r. L. L