Omaha daily bee., 1902-10-20
AFFAIRS At SOUTH OMAHA
LetteT'd Streets Vs1 a Financially Hamp-
cred Administrator.
PUBLIC is CARELESS WITH REFUSE
Thrown II Into Thoroughfares and
Alleys. Regardless OF Appearance,
and GLASS is strewa In
Dangerous Places

Several times within the last week at
tention has been called to the condition
OF the paved streets. especially those IN
the business portion Of the city. Inquiries
made yesterday disclosed that the admin
istTation is badly ~hampered at this time for
funds TO properly clean the streets.
Property owners and renters OF stores
alike seem to disregard the ordinances in
force in connection with the throwing OF
store sweepings into the cutters. Glass Is
also thrown on the streets and into the
alleys. During the last few months every
mort has been made by the street depart
ment %oflcials to cut down expenses and
still keep up appearances. While the ex-
lenses undoubtedly have been cut down, ap-
pcsraucss have not been kept up.
An ohhcial OF the city said last evening
ihat, II possible, an effort would be made
this winter to secure enough money to
purchase a street sweeper and then the
paved streets could be kept passably clean
by working the machine four or ave nights
a week. Within the last few days visitors
o the city have remarked on the condition
of the principal thoroughfsres and an ex-
PLANTATION had to be made. The city au-
thorities seem In no way 10 blame, as the
only relief apparent is through n change
in the existing laws.
CUuncu Meeting Tonight.
Considerable interest was manifest yea
tsrday in the meeting OF the city council,
80 be held tonight. Two remonstrRnces
against the granting OF telephone ordi-
nances have been filed and Il is expected
that these will be read by the clerk. The
ding of the remonstrances signed by more
than one-hfth Of the voters practically pre-
vents the council from granting franchises
80 the two companies. at this time. Tho
matter will therefore have to go over until
the election In April. The question Of the
overlap probably will be discussed and some
arrangements may be made for the appoint
ment Of a mmit to look over the char
ter and suggest amendments, with a view
TO securing more revenue In order that the
olty.'s debts may be paid as soon as pos
sible. A bond proposition at this time is
out of the question. SO that relief must be
sought from the legislature.
city Must Economic.
Mayor Koutsky. City Attorney Murdoch
md nembers of the hnance committee Of
che council are figuring how to save money,
in order that the present overlap OF $40, 900
may not be increased. II has been sug-
gested that the number OF policemen and
fremen be reduced. but this plan IL not
favored by taxpayers. az Il IL stated that
neither department has enough men now.
Even should these departments be reduced
there still would be an Overlap In the
funds. There is not enough money in the
fire fund now to settle, October bills, to say
nothing OF salaries. The water fund is
depleted anG the money on hand cannot
run the police department much longer.
AZ yet no plan has been devised whereby
the city can raise revenue enough to meet
its obligations In the departments men,
toned.
Numbering Houses.
In some parts Of the city houses are being
numbered In accordance with the instruc-
lions issued by the city authorities some
months ago. There seems 10 be a need OF
a thorough REMEMBERING on account OF the
increase in small houses in all parts OF the
city. A suggestion is to he made to the
city council soon to this effect. While the
business portion Of the city is fairly we'll
taken care Of in this matter. there lie. IT
is stated, a chance for Improvement in the
residence portions.
sttu Repairing walks.
City Engineer Beal. who Is also In charge
OF the street department, proposes to make
all OF the sidewalk repairs this week that
he can. so as to insure rs much good walk
as possible before winter comes. In some
cases only a plank or two are needed, while
in others portions of walks three and four
feet in width have been removed. Gradually
the business portion Of the city is getting
down to permanent walks and this tends in
a great measure to save the city money in
cases where accidents might happen and
damage suits be brought.
Warrants Held Back.
Some of those holding claims against
school district No. 8 are wondering why
warrants have not been issued. At q meet
ing Of the Board OF Education not long ago
quite a bunch Of claims was allowed, but
so far the secretary has not made out the
warrants. II was reported on the streets
yesterday that the members Of the board
had decided not to issue any more warrants
this month. The reason for this action has
not been made public.
saving City Money.
Police Judge King is trying TO save the
city money by sending as few prisoners
TO the county Jail as he possibly can. In
stead Of q life of ease at Sheriff Powers
hotel. prisoners are confined to the city
jail OF else sent to the rock pile. OF late
very few arrests OF any Importance have
been made and the jsilOrs are having an
easy time Of IL.
Grading J street.
The hill on J street, between Twenty