Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-30
AFFAIRS At SOUTH OMAHA
Water Wanted by Residents Of Southeast
Section Of City,
NO MONEY TO PAY FOR MIGRANTS
Extension of Mains Not Likely Owing
90 Condition Of EKcheauer and
Orders Already Issued
by Council.

Quite a number Of citizens who live IN
the vicinity OF Thirteenth and Madison
streets appeared before some Of the city
authorities last night and made an appeal
for water. They asserted that at the pres
ent time the cisterns are nearly dry and
that water is being hauled from the cen
trail portion of Albright at a cost OF %
cents a barrel. What these petitioners
want Is one or two fire hydrants so located
that about a score Of families who have
bought property in that section Of the
city can have city water and some fire
protection. The fact was made plain to
the visitors that there was no money in
the water fund at the present time, and
that there was no chance Of any until the
1902 levy. 1t was suggested. however,
that the people in the vicinity mentioned
might chip in and lay a two-inch pipe AMI
get water through a meter from the nearest
hydrant. This would save hauling it and
be more economical in the end. As mat
ters stand now Albright has about all the
FIRE hydrants its population entities It to,
so that It is hardly probable that the ex-
tension OF the mains desired can be made
this year. Already the water company has
orders for about two dozen hydrants, which
II has been unable to place on account Of
the lack Of pipe. These hydrants, which
were ordered last year, will naturally come
first and It is presumed that the entire
time Of the local force employed by the
water company will be taken up this sum-
mer in locating these. When the next
levy is made the chances are that more
money will be appropriated for water, as
the city Is growing rapidly and the people
are demanding accommodation in the mat
ter Of city water, Are MIGRANTS, etc.
Council Meets wednesday Night.
Although the city council was supposed
to meet Monday night the newly-elected
members fell into the rut OF the old council
and failed Of a quorum Just at the critical
time. There was a big crowd present to
watch the proceedings, but they were all
disappointed. Those of the council who
did finally get together met in the clerks
ONCE and after a hurried roll call ad-
journed until Wednesday night.
II is understood that the democratic
majority is now negotiating with Mayor
Koutaky in the matter OF appointments.
Mayor Koutsky still maintains that he has
the right to make appointments and he does
not consider that the democratic majority
has any hand in his work. as II has all IL
can do to look after It's own affairs. The
charter is so framed that the mayor may
appoint from month to month in cases
where the council refuses to confirm, and
the appointee can proceed with his duties
and draw his salary. So really the mayor
has the council where 1t cannot get back
very hard, even II he wanted to.
School Board Meeting.
A short session OF the Board OF Educa-
ton was held Monday night, but very little
business was transacted. In accordance
with the wishes Of the deputy state labor
commissioner the board let a contract to
Gus Andreen OF Omaha for the placing OF an
iron fire escape on the Central school build
ing. This escape will be a series of steps
with suitable landings at windows and will
reach nearly to the ground. The cost OF
this work will be $525. There was some
little talk about arrangements for the COM
ing commencement exercises, but the de-
tails we're left to a committee.
Contracts Signed.
Contracts were signed yesterday for the
grading Of several streets in the eastern
part OF the city. II street is to be graded
from sixteenth to Twentieth street, while
O street is to be worked and graded from
Eighteenth to Twentieth street. Seven
teenth, Eighteenth and Nineteenth streets
will be graded from G TO II street. The
opening Of Twentieth street through the
park Is now assured, as arrangements were
made yesterday whereby the roadway will
be opened during the progress Of this other
work. In all. about $1,000 cubic yards OF
dirt will be moved, Dan Harmon has the
contract and will commence work within
a few days.
To Open Syndicate Park.
It is understood that the South Omaha
Land company has expressed itself as will
ing to open Syndicate park to the public,
providing the city prevents tramps and
disreputable characters from infesting the
grounds. Unless the city takes the pre-
caution to place a policeman on the grounds
at night the land company will be COM
PEELED to fence the new Twentieth street
road. The opening OF the park will be
something long desired by residents Of this
city.
Report Ready Today.
Today James v. Chick will submit to
the mayor and council his report of the
condition of the books of the city treasury
up 10 date. This work Of checking tie
books occurs every year and costs the city
about 5000. 1t is necessary. however, as
the bond companies require 1t. The report
shows that every cent paid into the treas
urer's ONCE during the term GO NT. Koutsky
has been accounted for and turned over to
Mr.. Howe, his successor.
briggs Finds Money.
Yesterday afternoon Chief Of Police
Briggs found a purse in the gutter near
Twenty-hfth and NJ streets. II contains
some money and from the balance Of the
contents evidently belongs to a woman who
had been shopping. The owner may recover