Omaha daily bee., 1899-11-23
! SOUTH OMAHA NEWS. J

/
Members of the Commercial club are
greatly pleased at the attitude OF the rail-
| roads In connection with proposed increase
| in passenger and freight facilities. 1t is
predicted that many changes for the better
ment OF the service will be made next spring,
| II not before. One OF the principal causes
| OF complaints from local merchants Is the
| fact that all freight for South Omaha COM
| ing in over the Elkhorn lines must be
hauled from the depot at Fifteenth and Web
ster streets. as at present this road docs
not maintain a depot here. An Elkhorn
passenger and freight depot may be erected
here next year If the people of South Omaha
| do their part and render some necessary
assistance. The Elkhorn road owns land
| north of the l. street viaduct and 1t is
learned on good authority that the company
is willing to erect freight and passenger
depots on this ground. providing the city
constructs an approach from the viaduct
to the site of the proposed depots.
This willingness on the part OF the Elk
horn people to assist in giving South Omaha
better freight and passenger facilities is
not generally known. When told the con-
| ditions yesterday by a Bee representative
! a number Of the members OF the CONNER
cial club appeared greatly pleased and
| agreed to give the project their hearty
support. The cost OF an approach would
hardly exceed $1,000 and bonds for the build
! Ing OF such structure could be voted at
| the spring election and work commenced
shortly afterwards. Providing all arrange
| ments are made this winter and suitable
| agreement between the Elkhorn managers
and the city authorities is reached, the
construction OF the proposed depots could
commence at the same time work on the
| approach was started. No trouble will be
experienced, it is thought in carrying the
| bonds for public improvement like the one
suggested An engineer will most likely
| be requested to measure the ground and
| make an estimate Of the cost Of an approach
before long, so that the subject may be
| intelligently discussed and the need Of the
improvement put before the people in the
proper light.
Continuing on the subject OF depots, it
is stated on what appears to be excellent
authority that the Burlington road is will
ing to erect a depot on a tract of land be-
tween N and o streets as soon as the city
opens up a roadway to the tracks which
run through the eastern portion Of the city.
This offer of the Burlington was made
some time ago, when the opening of n
street was discussed, but as nothing came
OF the street matter the depot project was
dropped. Now some of the members of the
Commercial club have scheme whereby
road may be opened without great ex-
pense and with a small amount Of grading.
1t is proposed to construct road on o
street from the tracks to either Twentieth
or Twenty first streets and thence north
to N streets. Those who have this matter
in hand assert that the expense will be
trivial as compared to the grading on N
street and the result will be the same-a
good roadway to the Burlington tracks
South Omaha merchants are greatly in
convenienced by having to go to Albright
for freight handled by the Rock Island.
The club cannot change the contract which
now exists between the Rock Island and
other roads, so it proposes to agitate the
question of opening Twenty-fourth street
across the Union Pacific tracks. These
tracks are fenced from the @ street via
duct to Jefferson street, where there is a
grade crossing. Teams bound for the Rock
Island depot are compelled to follow the
Bellevue road to Jefferson street and then
travel, quite a distance on the south side
of the tracks before reaching the Rock
Island depot. With crossing at twenty
fourth street trips to the depot In ques-
tion could be n ade in half the time and on
a. much better road. 1t is understood that
have Twenty fourth street opened across
the Union Pacific tracks.
Mention was made few days ago OF the
fact that the club had advertised for an ex-
pert canning factory manager with view to
establishing such an enterprise here. In
connection with this matter John Black OF
the firm of Steinhart G. Black OF Nebraska
City visited the city yesterday to confer
with some OF the members Of the club. Stein
hart G. Black are operating large cannery
at Nebraska City and during the last season
put I'D and sold over 100000 cans OF vege-
tables. This firm has an opportunity of sell
ing and. II the sale Is consummated, 1t Is
more than likely that location here will
be chosen. Mr.. Black stated that he would
like to operate canning factory here on
account OF the railroad facilities, and in
ducemeuts will surely be offered the concern
in case a removal is seriously contemplated
In the event that company is organized
here Mr.. Black desires to have controlling
interest, and is willing to put large sum
of money into the business. 1t is thought
there will be no difficulty in disposing Of all
of the stock which Mr.. Black does not de-
sire to retain. President Flynn OF the Com
merciaI club Is we'll pleased with Mr. Blacks
visit and proposes to do everything he can
to induce the Nebraska City concern to
start a canning factory here.
A meeting of the club will be held Friday
night at the council chamber for the discus
sion of a number of important matters 1t
is hoped by the officers Of the club that every
member will make it point to attend.
..--------- .. .-. .-' r-'
improvements Pt POstOflce.