The people's voice., 1959-09-11

4 In F. gS ming Williams Hearing
: S Legislative Council Propose To
: Sidestep Its Primary Purpose?
On September 21 the Legislative Council will
to make final determination of the rules will follow hear
ing evidence the dismissal of former Highway Program
Engineer Horace B. Williams.
tentatively approved govern procedure,
Council Director Eugene Tdba states is that he Council
will not allow introduction of testimony bearing the
relative of Highway Commission
upon efficiency of the Highway If ver
cation of alleged fact evauaon of echnica
of highway planning construction the testimony to support
allegations will be admitted" emphasis)
While conceded the council has the authority
enabling act investigation whatever degree
choose the above rule to be sdeeppng of
the for which the interim group set upo assist
bringing better to Montana Chapter 34 Sec q
Laws of 1857 states:
Sec Powers and legislative council shall ac
cumuate compile anayze furnish information
nq upon anv matters relating to existing or prospectve eq
lation determined by it it's initiative
tanning to important issues of policy and questions of statewide
Importance including not limited investigation study
the possibilities consultations for purpose
creasng efficiency of service effectng
the purpose studying and nqung the financial
sration of state governments and subdivisions thereof
and all other pertaining the function of all depart
and branches government (our emphasis)
Ways and of increasing efficiency and efecng
operation major obectves Section
The Bradford Highway Investigating Committees findings
and other revelations the last Legislature indicate
substantial basis for questioning how efficiently and
nomcaly the Highway Department being managed
all questions all the facts
council avoid ooksee This reluctance by
the council have only resuthe citizen will
be conecturing the possibilities coverup" has
been perpetrated.
Taxpayers question the deficiency" the
Highway Department and it's dedication ECONOMY
example,
work order increasing the cost of between
Livingston and Sprngdae by $11 million, brought about
the department explored undersurace strata
of Sprngdae Hill prior letting contract that piece of
road.
The payment $4,000 acres of rightof
marginal land south of the city limits Livingston
900.
The 21fold increase in right-ofway on piece of
US 10 north of Glendve after contracts jump
estimated $4,000 to $375000 between Sept "a
May 10, 1859
The location of Interstate 80 in the Yellowstone river
bottom east of Livingston when long back
he federal government eyng the possibility building
multiple dam at Mission canyon
If Livingston The project already authorized Congress-
WILL when built nundae than ten million dollars worth
If highway.
Helena with consequent expensive rghof-way and inter
hange duplication the could have been located
ighty of the Capitol City, thereby avoiding high
urban suburban rghofway
railroad tracks, possibly the elm
lation of one costly interchange
For all of the original intent of the Legislature setting up
he Intern councio assist in bringing better government to
council appears determined to shy away from
making peekng into the Pandoras that
Highway. u
mambypamby attitude council is taking
avoiding fullfedged investigation, forced the
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