Omaha daily bee., 1899-03-01
BOARD APPLIES The KNIFE
Eleven Firemen and Twenty-six Policemen
Dropped from the Rolls,
ACTION is TAKEN FOR EcoNowYS SAKE
Expenses 10 he Maintained Within
the Levy Provided by the Coun-
cil-Scvernl old Men Have
to lie Dropped.

Until midnight last night the Board OF
Fire and Police Commissioners labored in
executive session to decide on the men who
should be dropped from the fire and police
departments in order that the expenses
might be maintained within the limit OF
the levy provided by the city council. To
prune away the weak timber did not an-
swer the purpose and some OF the oldest
men in the service, who are rated as first
class men, had to be included in the list.
Eleven fremen and twenty-six policemen
were finally ordered dropped from the pay
roll, as follows:
Firemen--John McGreal Edward Carr,
Nels Emerth, Robert Hicks, Herman Geiske
Matthew Gilbert George Weeks. Martin
Tighe, Charles Mack, Laurence Hughes and
John c. Parrish.
Policemen--A. l.. Jackman, NJ. f. Hotch-
kiss, j. S. Ronk, T. Cummings, j. Connell
W. j. Meals, j. Kinney, w. c. Heaton G.
b. Curry, A. C. Raney, VI. Butler, G. w.
Barnes, G. F. Ehlers J. Sebek, G. F. ReZ
ner, ]. H. Storey. p. Kiewitz. f. w. Marsh
7. J. Kelley, c. f. Erickson, p. II. Dillon,
John Leverton, Frank Behan and Frank
Urban. c. NJ. Dooley resigned
In submitting the list Of patrolmen to
be dismissed Chief White said:
I'm accordance with your communication
Of the 9th inst. | herewith submit a list
containing the names of twenty-siX mem
bers of this department to comply with the
tenor of the same. In carrying out your in
structions I have been compelled to present
the names of a number OF officers who have
rendered good and efficient service during
the time of their connection with the de-
partment. This forced reduction will greatly
impede the progress of the police depart
and fs ,tsf1 b, frnr, eth Nln 70
afford the citizens proper protection with
the department it will stand after the
reductions are made. Provision has been
made in the appropriation for fifty patrol
men, from which number it will be neces-
sary to take six for the detective depart
ment, two jailers, two lookup keepers, two
patrol conductors, two drivers two sani-
tary officers, two reserve men for emer-
gency calls and one court officer, leaving
thirtysix men to cover the beats both day
and night, which number is by far too in
adequate TO cover the territory that is con-
stantly in need OF police protection, and
this, together with an unfriendly police
judge. leaves the department in a sadly
crippled condition. and l trust that If there
is an increase of crime, which l am forced
TO believe there will be, that the citizens
and your honorable board will take into
consideration the territory to be covered and
the number of patromen available to cover
the same. l desire also to state that in
my judgment 1t would be an unwise act
to make any reduction in the number of
detectives now in the service, because of
the fact that with a decrease of patrolmen
there will be an increase of work for the
detective department. which will make it
absolutely necessary for the present number
to be maintained in that line of work.
81 desire also to call your attention TO the
fact that during the Transmississippi EX-
position this department was called on to
furnish officers for protection in and about
the grounds the same being an absolute ne
cessity for the safety of the numerous visit
ors, and the same condition Will exist dur
ing the coming summer but you will readily
realize that it viii be an impossibility for
me to make any detail of any kind for the
protection of the Greater America EXposi-
tio0.
81 earnestly trust that ways and means
will be dvised whereby your honorable
board will be placed in a position TO rein
state the greater portion of the men whose
services you have been compelled to dispense
with"
The following communication from the
chief OF police was also received:
ITO the Honorable, the Boart of Fire and
Police Commissioners; Gentlemen-It has
been brough: to my attention that during the
month OF October, 1898. Captain II. p.
Haze while acting chief of police, collected
800 reward money. the same having been
paid to him by Mr.. Shukert of this city, Mr..
Shukert some time prior having agreed to
give the police force of this city said amount
IL 1t would apprehend and incarcerate one
J. Martin alias ]. Smith, he being wanted
hero on tue charge of grand larceny. The
ytg In al Smith arrested in,
Seattle and returned to Omaha through the
efforts of ex-Chief Gallagher, Detective
Dempsey and the Seattle officers and the
500 as per agreement was paid to Haze.
am informed that the laws of Nebraska pro-
vide that % per cent Of all reward moneys,
etc. shall be turned into the treasury 10 be
credited to the Police Relief association but
upon investigation find that MIR. Haze neg
lected to do so in the above case. Mr. Haze
performed no service in connection with the
arrest of said party
The reduction in the fire department means
that the No / engine house at Fourteenth
and Harney streets will be abandoned and
that the firemen now located on the eXposi-
tion grounds will be recalled. In the latter
case tho four horses will be loaned TO the
exposition association.
In addition to the application of the prun
ing knife the board heard the evidenc,
against w. r. Wilson, who was charged witt
drinking while in uniform. and Charles Ask
with, who was charged with leaving his bea
without permission. Wilson got off with 4
reprimand in Difference to his good recorC
and mitigating circumstances, but Askwiti
was dropped from the service. The trial o
William White on a charge of neficienc!
preferred by Chief White was set for mex
Monday night
Supt. OImstead Takes Charge.
The county poor farm and hospital wen