Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-29
AT SOUTH OMAHA
Oity'i Clerical Force Prepares Data for
Charter Revision Committee.
loss OF OCCUPATION TAX is FELT
Meant Many Hundreds ~ Dollars and
Now Something Must he Done to
COrrespondInEIy Decrease
= City's Expenditures.

engaged during the last few days in pre-
pairing data for the use OF the charter re-
VISION committee in case a call for the
same is made. The data prepared shows
the overlap in each fund and the amount
now needed to carry on the work of each
department. The total overlap amounts to
100000. What the city officials want is to
md some way in which this overlap may
be wiped out. bonds to be issued for the
same. II this is done and the levy slightly
increased it is thought that the city can
manage to run along without getting very
far into debt.
Ten years ago the overlap was about
$1,000. Since that time Il has been growing
with each administration until now Il has
reached The figures. mentioned. One cause
OF this rapid increase was the cutting of
OF the occupation tax usually levied upon
liquor dealers. When the license was $500
a year an occupation tax Of 5000 VAS
levled. This latter sum went into the city
coners, while the former went to the schoo,
district. Now that there is a license OF
$1,000, no occupation tax is levied. conee.
queDtly in two years the city has been the
loser to the extent of t36, 900. This loss in
revenue now shows up on the red side of
the ledger and It will take an issue OF
bonds to wipe IL out.
hhOther feature OF this overlap Ia the
TAX that II the Indebtedness which is
worrying the city officials is paid off A
new rule must be established positively
prohibiting the overdrawing of funds under
any circumstances It is true that the
present charter permits money to be ex.
pended in cases of emergency. This ia
considered to be the filing OF dangerous
Washouts. the repairs Of streets damaged
Dy storms or the suppression of an emf
uemic. Or, In other cases, where the health
and lives and property of citizeus are
1eopardized. So far this year the city has
been practically free from contagious or
Infectious diseases, consequently the emer.
gency expense bills have been kept down
to a low amount.
New Lodge Instituted.
The Tel Jed sokol of Bohemian Turner's
instituted a new lodge at Koutsky's hall
Yesterday afternoon. All the thirty mem
bers are women. Joseph Sterba Is presi-
dent OF the new lodge and also occupies
the position of physical director. Meet
lngs for physical culture will be held once
each week.
No Charity Funds.
1T is fortunate" said Chairman oueenan
OF the council committee on charity. yes
terday, that we have received so few
calls for aid this winter. The funds are
low and we have no money on hand to
pay Tor fuel and supplies. However, the
committee is doing the best II can. One
point shows in favor of South Omaha. /
and that is that fewer applications for aid
nave been filed this winter than ever be-
fore In the history of the city"
Inquiry shows that the principal calls
are from widows who are trying to support
themselves and a family of children.
City Council Tonight.
The city council Is billed for a meeting
tonight. So far there appears to be little
rusihess Of Importance, but the regular
routine will be zone through with. No
claims or salaries will be allowed until the
nrst meeting in January. There is little
doing In street repairing, so the session
promises to be an exceedingly tame one.
Charter Committed Tuesday Night.
A meeting of the committee of the whole
Of the recently appointed charter revision
committee Is to be held at the council
chamber on Tuesday evening. It Is under
stood that the subcommittee will not be
ready TO render a complete report at this
time. Progress will be reported and, pro-
Ttding It is the desire of those present,
Secretary Breen of the subcommittee will
20 over the amendments already consid-
cred. The task is rather tiresome and
perhaps two weeks more will be con-
sumed in deciding upon the amendments
to be suggested to the legislature.
New lee House.
To-day B. letter will the con-
struction OF a new ice house at his brewery.
Thirtieth and V streets. This building will
be 100 feet square and twenty-four feet
high. IL will have a capacity Of $500 tons.
The plans hate been drawn for some time,
but there has been some delay in securing
In speaking Of the ice cror at the brew
cry pond. Martin letter said. last night
that the ice was now about nine inches
thick. and that cutting would commence
Wednesday. II is the intention to put up
enough Ice to supply South Omaha saloons,
and with this idea in view they have or
ganizedA what will be known as the letter
Ice company. This new company, M. Jet
ter said, will be independent Of any OF the
other fee companies.
CudRhy Cuts Ice.
Quite a large number OF men went TO
work at Seymour lake yesterday cutting
ice for the Cudahy Packing company.
Owing to the short notice OF the starting
of the work, not as many men as expected
reported for duty yesterday. but more are