The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-12-27

THE RAILROADS ARE BLOCKED

The battle royal promised over the at
tempt on the part of the assembly TO
lease for manufacturing purposes a part
Of the West side levee over which access
Is had to 1he public baths received an
abrupt and unexpected finish yesterday
The strip, two blocks long and about
a block and a half wide, was condemned
for park purposes. by the park board at
a special meeting held yesterday.
This settles the controversy for ell
time, and no act on the part of The eoun-
ell or the Omaha Railway company,
which is seeking to use the ground as
an outlet for spur tracks to near fac
tories, will avail to the end OF bringing
about change. Armed with plats and
maps, the park board ordered the con-
demnation of the ground, and its order,
together with other matters pertaining
thereto, is now in the hands of the beard
of public works.
Backed by the West Side Improvement
association, Aid. Moriarty and Assembly
man Dix introduced resolutions in their
respective bodies setting aside several
lots in the rear of the Gednev Picking
works to be used by y. 4. Ward Ter
box manufacturing purposes, and it was
with anything but pleasure that they
heard of the action taken by DR.. Ohage
and the park board yesterday
In the assembly the resolution granting
the lease was given passage, but at the
request of DR.. Ohage was held up until,
he informed that body, he could secure
evidence to show that such would harm
Harriet island In the meantime the coup
was effected.
81 don't think DR.. Ohage acted fai,iy in
this NATTER said Assemblyman Dix
prior to the board meeting last night.
4l,.,. Il hc
capable of such sharp PRACTICES put in
Assemblyman Craig.
''The doctor seems to have presumed
on our generosity in holding the thing
open." remarked, Assemllyman Wheeler.
Here DIR. Ohage put in an appearance,
and he was Immediately taken to task
by AsSemblyman Dix, who animated
that he had not acted fair.
Didsdt in SeIf-Defense.
tsWell, I had to do this to protect my
SELF said the doctor. Ever since l
took charge of the island l have had to
fight to keep. from being fenced in. Now
] have succeeded in shutting out all en-
croachmenty and Il am glad. l said the
Omaha railroad i would be wanting to
over the place with tracks, and 1t came
true. Now you want to close up the
entrance to, the baths by giving to some
one who is going to employ a few men
valuable ground for rental of only 81
a year, Others are paying thousands of
dollars for, the same right.
81 don't know what good that sinking
piece of ground Isl retorted Etr. Dix.
well it is so good that Several real
estate men have been wearing themselves
to death to secure it for a customer. :
can only find six men who favor giving
this ground away
Several others interrupted with remarks,
but the health commissioner was on top,
and they had to swallow their disap-
peintment DR.. Ohage was corresponding
" elated. .7ziG
The construction of the Omaha main
spur was principally for the purpose of
tapping the several factories that line
the river front between the baths and the
Wabasha street bridge, and the action OF
the park board, it is said will seriously
interfere with Its plans. 1t may be nee
essary to change the track SO as to
bring it along the bluffs, as originally
proposed.
The West Side Improvement associa-
ton is up in arms against the scheme,
but, any protest on it's part will avail
nothing. Even the council cannot in
the passage clear was demanded by peo-
pie all over the city, and that was enc
reason the park board took the action
it did.
The strip will now be graded ard
planted in trees. A wider bridge will
also connect it with the baths