Omaha daily bee., 1902-07-02
AFFAIRS AT SOUTH OMAHA
Request for Extension Of Omaha Water Com
pany's Franchise stis Interest.
MAJORITY OF OFFICIALS FAVOR A GRANT
Company Asks City for Ten Years
Continuance of It's Contract,
Dating from October
IT, 10

Around the city hall yesterday there was
considerable talk about the oder OF the
Omaha Water company for an extension OF
its franchise from October II, 1904, for ten
years. It appears that a majority Of the
~ofhcials are in favor Of accepting the terms
Of the company in order to secure the priv
ileges rendered. The constant demand for
an extension OF water mains on account OF
the building in all parts Of the city has
caused the council considerable worry, be-
cause no money has been available for some
time to pay the claims OF the company for
hydrant rental. The records show that the
city has not paid the water company any
money since July /, 1901. 1t now owes the
company the sum of 81, $50. When this is
paid It will nearly deplete this years water
levy, although there still remains $500 in
the water fund.
In order to supply the wants Of the city
and at the same time protect its own in
terests the company proposes that /, its
contract is renewed for ten years from Oc-
tober, 1904, to furnish the city, during the
unexpired term OF its present contract, its
water for ten public watering troughs, to
be located at such points as shall be des-
ignated by the council. These troughS TO
be kept in operation from May ! until Mo-
vember / Of each year.
Further, the company will provide during
the period Of ten years. as well as during
the unexpired portion Of the present con-
tract, water free OF cost for use In the
various ofices in the public buildings now
used by the city. This will include the city
hall, the Jail, police court, public library.
fire engine houses and the public schools.
Water also will be provided for the flush
ing Of sewers for sanitary purposes. pro-
yided the work is su~perintended by the
proper city authorities.
The rate to be charged to private con-
sumers Is to be the same as that charged
in Omaha, which is the same as the present
contract.
One new feature Of the proposed contract
is that the water company shall be required
to furnish and set meters at its own eH-
pense on all new domestic services. Meters
are to be generally used and these are to be
set as soon as practical after the passage
and acceptance Of the ordinance.
In addition, the company agrees to To-
cate forty eight additional ~hydrants, to be
located where the council may direct. These
hydrants will not be charged for until the
expiration OF the present contract, then all
the $50 hydrants will be charged for at the
rate Of $50 a year, except the intermediate
hydrants, which rent at the rate Of $40 a
year.
The company, however, desires eome lee
way in the matter Of laying mains and set
ting the forty-eight hydrants, as the ON
GERS OF the company state that material Is
scarce. The company Is not to be held re-
sponsibIe IN case It canno promptly obtain
the material for laying the mains and the
setting OF hydrants.
With the exception OF the intermediates.
all hydrants are to be located not more
than 400 feet apart
Payment for hydrant rental, under the
proposed contract must be made on Janu-
airy l and July l Of each year.
As the terms suggested appear to be much
more favorable than those in the present
contract Il is presumed that the council
will pass the ordinance.
Printed Charter Delayed.
Some time ago It was announced that the
copies OF the charter and the revised city
ordinance ordered a couple Of months ago
would come from the printers on July l and
be ready for distribution. Owing to de-
lays OF various kinds the printers stated
yesterday that 1t would be fully another
month before the books would be ready. In
this connection a city oficial said yester-
day that unless the books were completed
soon the charter would be practically use
less. IL Is the INTENTION OF the CITY ON
Gals to request the next legislature TO
make a number OF amendments in the char
ter in order to provide funds for the growth
OF the city. When the charter is revised It
will then be necessary 10 have printed
copies OF the changes made and this means
additional expense.
John ReheR Hurt.
Yesterday afternoon John Rehes. 10 years
Of age, who lives with his parents al
T~wenty-third and r streets. was injured by
a refrigerator car at the Q street crossing.
The boy was taken to the South Omaha hos
pital. where he was examined by DR.. c. N.
Schmidt. Il was found that the wheels
OF one OF the cars had crushed the toes
on the right foot From what could be
| learned it appeared that the boy Was jump