Omaha daily bee., 1902-07-24
AFFAIRS At SOUTH OMAHA
Council Allows Long List Of Old Claims
Against City.
WARRANTS WILL Be DRAWN At ONCE
People who Have waited for Their
Money Can Now Step Up TO
Clerks once and Get
Paid.

night the city council expended about $780,
900 Of the 1902 levy. This amount included
claims OF long standing. There was the
bill Of the Omaha Water company for s11.-
500 and the bill OF the electric light com
pany, the rent bill and claims too num-
eTous to mention.
For two days the finance committee has
been going over the claims on file, sorting
out the oldest ones and laying aside others
for Investigation. n result of this work
was shown when Adkins, chairman Of the
finance committee. arose and read on four
long sheets Of claims. which he recon-
mended be paid at once. AS the details
had all been arranged In committee during
the afternoon there was no hitch. The
warrants for these claims will be drawn
BY the clerk today and the mayor will
sign them as rapidly as possible. 1t Is
expected that by Friday at the latest those
whose claims have been flowed may call
at the clerks once and secure warrants.
There is one new feature. however, and
that Is those who owe personal taxes must
pay the same before the warrant is issued
or else the amount Of the tax will be de-
Quoted from the face Of the warrant.
Acting for the State Bank Of Toledo. John
Dale OF Omaha asked for the return Of a
$500 certified check which was deposited
when the Toledo bank bid on the library
bonds. Not long ago, Mr.. Dale informed
the clerk that the bonds would not be
accepted on account OF a flaw in the his
tory and as the bid was made subject to
the legality Of the issue he now wants his
forfeit check. Clerk shrigley vas directed
to secure from Mr.. Dale a written refusal
to accept the bonds and then the forfeit
check will be returned.
After the transaction of some minor busi-
ness the council adjourned until next
Monday night.
workman Recorder Arrested.
Upon complaint Of ]. M. Kenney, the
police yesterday afternoon arrested w. B.
McCleaTy, recorder Of Ancient Order Of
United workmen lodge No. 227. on a charge
Of embezzlement. The complaint alleges
that on June 80 McCleary did collect and
convert to his own use the sum Of $3.50 In
money belonging to the lodge.
McCleary is a shipping clerk employed at
Armour's and was arrested within a short
time after the fling OF the complaint. He
requested that he given an opportunity OF
securing bond and in company with De-
tective Elsfelder visited a number OF his
friends, but apparently without success,
for UP to the time the police Judge let
for home IN the evening bond had not been
: furnished and McCleary vas occupying a
cell at the city Jail.
Mr.. Kenney stated that only one COM
/ plant had been fled so far, but others
/ might follow. 1t was asserted by Mr.. Ken
} ney that McCleary was short about SIS and
, had admitted the shortage. Some Of the
members OF the order are Of the opinion
t that the shortage may be more than the
) amount given when a thorough checking OF
. the books is made.
According to Mr.. Kenney, McCleary was
: given an opportunity OF Strengthening mp
! his accounts when the discrepancy was
: first discovered. but he declined. saying that
. he would not ask his friends to help him
out. McCleary lives near TwentySnfth and
1 L streets and has a wife. who 10 now in Chi
. oago.
8 0est Ignores Order.
|. Local democrats were considerably exer-
cised yesterday over the action Of Henry
oest, superintendent of the county poor
farm, in refusing to honor an order OF
DR.. w. 8. White, assistant county ply
stefan, for the admission OF Mike Whalen
. to the county hospital. The condition Of
whalen, who is suffering from rheumatism
? so that he can scarcely stand on his feet
: was noticed by a prominent member Of
the city council and upon application i;
DR.. White an order admitting Whalen tc
the county hospital was issued. Armed
n with the order Whalen proceeded to the
d hospital and was told by oest that there
4 was nothing the matter with him and ht
a was denied admittance.
Whalen has been a resident of South
4 Omaha for about fifteen years and is vel
. known. He worked in the packing houses
as long as he was able TO get about. Of
. late he has ben unable to get around ex-
\ cept on crutches or with the aid Of a cane
. and as he has no home and Is out OF money
. his friends think the proper place for him
4 is at the county institution.
I A complaint Is to be made by local demo
; Gratis to the county Commissioner and
r the question will be asked as to who ID
the best Judge Of q mans condition oesi
or the regular county doctor. Until thu
question Of his admission to the hospital Il
settled friends OF WhAlen will look aftel
him here.
: Mayor Koutsky Explains.
n August Miller, street foreman. at thu
= Monday night meeting of the council en-
tered a written protest against the amour
Of money allowed him. He signed tht
. communication street commissioner" II
fact, he has q habit Of signing all com.
munications in this manner.
In explanation Of why Mr.. Miller dix
not receive more money from the city fI
4 June work Mayor Koutsky stated to a Be-
reporter yesterday afternoon that Their
y was no such once as street commissions
= at the present time. The mayor said; 20
have told Mr.. Miller more than once tina
he lie foreman Of the street gang and tina
y Is all and that he would be paid 81 10
every day he worked. This is in accord
ance with the old order Of things. Whei
= Johnston aud Ensor were mayors they de
4 ellned TO appoint q street commissions
y for the reason that such a position car
ried with II more salary and in tha In
terest Of economy I have followed th
d precedent set. The same amount OF worl
3 can be accomplished with a competen
n foreman as with a street commissions
4 II is not my Intention to burden the tar
x payers with the additional expense OF 81
% or 3S5 a month. just for the sake Of givin
lie Miller or anyone else a title, a street fore
10 man is good enough for me and that 4
what Miller Is. I do not contemplate an
change In the present arrangements, as
have no intention Of appointing a stree
commissioner"
Fire Hall Completed.
Contractor ]. NJ. Tobias eompleted ID