Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-28
AFFAIRS AT SOUTH OMAHA
subcommittee Begins tie Work Of Revising
the City Charter.
FIRE AND POLICE BOARD IS PROPOSED
Some Members of Committee Are of
the Opinion tina Mayor should
Retain Control Of the Two
Departments.

The subcommittee Of the general charter
committe met Friday night and perfected
an organization. A. II. Murdoch was chosen
chairman and J. j. Breen secretary. After
the organization the charter was taken
up and the members of the subcommittee
went through twenty-five sections. A
number Of amendments in the sections
were suggested and noted by the secretary.
When 1t came to the appointing of an ex-
else board the committee differed to such
an extent that proceedings we're dropped
for the time and the members adjourned,
subject to the call Of the chair.
While some of the members of this minor
committee favor an excise board, others
hold that the mayor should maintain con-
troll Of the fire and police departments, as
has been the custom in the past. The fact
that only thirty men are employed in the
two departments made 1t evident that there
was no necessity for a board of three or
FIVE to govern this small number of men.
1t is expected that another meeting of
the committee will be held Monday even
ing, when other matters may be taken
up. In case those who insist upon an ex-
else board cannot agree with the others
the proposition will doubtless be referred
TO the committee OF the whole, composed
Of twenty-six members
Secretary Breen OF the subcommittee said
last evening that the committee would not
be able to make a complete report to the
meeting called for Tuesday night in the
council chamber. 1--WE will be able" said
Judge Breen. ito report progress and show
what we have done so far, but we will not
he DTpnaTnd IN maEn a ropnpIofn roDort u
As the present charter is a long one II
is expected that many amendments will be
suggested and that it will take consider
able time to frame these so as to be in
suitable form to present to the people.
Then when this is done will come the uues-
ton Of submitting the sam to the legis-
lature.
Few of the old-time politicians appear to
be interested in the charter Just now, as
they apparently want to see what the pres
ent committee will do before taking any
steps.
Interest Being Paid.
For the first time in the history of the
city the local banks are paying into the
city treasury interest on daily balances.
Up to last night there had been credited
to City Treasurer Howe's account the sum
Of $4S0.97. This amount shows thai the
banks are paying the city at the rate of Q
per cent on daily balances.
In speaking Of this matter Mr.. Howe. the
city treasurer. said that next year the
amount OF interest paid would be larger, as
the present year has been a short one. ow-
ing to the fact that the new charter did
not go in force until after the commence
ment OF the calendar year.
This money receivad frono 1ho Aonbz III,
be placed in the general fund and will help
out considerably at this time, when nearly
all Of the funds are low.
Waiting for Contractor.
President Bruce McCulloch OF the South
Omaha Library board said last night hat
he had directed Architect Klmball to pro-
pare a contract for the construction of the
library building, j.. H. Weise is to be
awarded the contract, At the present time
Mr.. Weise is in Sheridan wyo., figuring
on some government work at Fort McKen-
zie. LAS soon as Mr.. Weise returns" said
McCulloch, I'VE will present the
to him for signature. He will then
be expected to get material OH the ground
as rapidly as possible and commence con-
Now that we have money in
sight we propose pushing the work as fast
as possible"
Wilcox Congratulated.
Quite a large number OF local Masons
called upon B. e. Wilcox yesterday for the
purpose Of congratulating him upon his
election to the high office Of illustrious DO
Of Tangier temple, Mobiles of The
Shrine. The election was held Fri
day night at the temple in Omaha. Mr.. |
Wilcox IS the first Mason in South Omaha
the honor OF being chosen poten-
tate.
VIII Hold Maxwell.
A request has been made by Masons from
Of the city to hold William Maxwell
here until his record can be more fully in
vestigated. At the present time Maxwell
Is serving a thirty days sentence in the
county jail on a charge of having obtained
money under false pretenses. 1t is strongly
intimated by lodges in other states that
Maxwell, or Walter Grew. Is an imnostor ap1