Omaha daily bee., 1888-07-18
A DEARTH OF DOCUMENTS.
The Engineers Office Lacking in
Records of improvements.
DolNos OF DEATHS MESSENGERS
Tho Location of the Mills School
Fixci-A Happy Escape or n
Writa-A Young Man Badly
~.1humped. .


At the last meeting of the city council one
matter was brought up for consideration
which demands special attention at this time.
City Engineer Stims0n submitted n com
munication relative to his Office, its equip
ment, necessities, etc. 1t was referred TO the
proper committee with power to act. The
condition in which this office is has provoked
considerable comment uy the people upon
tho methods, winch in past practice have
brought it about. 1t has also causel no little
discussion in the sessions of the city council.
Now it is u fact that this Office has practically
no records of the Pablo improvements which
have been made during the past ycnrs, "uis
is due mainly TO the fact hat the engineers
who have previously filed the Office, includ-
ing Mr.. Tostevin who was its last incumbent,
had, previous to their election, done a large
private business in all parts of the city, and
when they came to the work of the Office in
the city's employ, their individual records,
notes, etc, together with their personal
knowledge of the city was their equipment
for the office. When the present engineer
assumed the duties OF the Office he found alb
solutcly nothing in the way of records which
would assist him in his work. The records
of this Office should show exactly in what
condition the various parts of the public
work are, In grading, the exact depth oil u cut
or fill should be shown the location of every
| foot of water, gas and sewer pipe, with their
connections and variations of line. This is
essential so that a precise knowledge of these
matters may be accessible to the public.
These records the city must have. Each year
adds to the improvements and renders the
making of this record more and more diff
cult. OF course the work should not be
longer delayed. The present offices of the
engineer are totally inadequate to the de-
mands of its increased and rapidly increasing
business. Larger ones must be had. With
the increased clerical work il is necessary
that competent and sufficient assistance shall
be secured. Whatever expense is necessary
To be incurred in order that this department
of the official work of the city shall be prop
crly executed should be cheerfully borne by
all taxpayers. OF course, due economy
should be observed at all points, but the
saving of money is sometimes the most ex-
pensive economy, and this fact is true in the
present Instance.
The committee that has the matter IN hand
will doubtless see that these demands are
Immediately met. Then when u taxpayer
wants to know where the nearest sewer
| pipe is, and how far below the surface of the
earth, he will not have to hunt up an cX-city
| get the desired Information.
-
Money loaned at L.. B. Crafts 81 Co.'S
loan Office, on furniture, pianos, horses,
wagons, personal property of all kinds,
and all other articles of value without
removal. All business strictly conf
Dental.
E. H. Sheate loans money on chattel
security of every description. Private
consulting rooms. All business strictly
confidential. Office 500 Broadway, cor
ner Main street, up-stairs.