Omaha daily bee., 1902-02-07
ASTACOSIzE GREAT WESTERN
csuucilmsn Rstuss 10 Give Concessions fer
Freight Depot
RAILWAY THstATENs 10 RL1ALATE
Representatives DecfaEe Terminals
Will ne Placed In East Omaha
UnIess City Agrees 10 Its
Terms.

Will Ne Placed In East Omaha
UsIess city Agrees 10 Its
Terms.
The city council will refuse 10 give the
Great Western railroad permission 10 ex.
tend les freight depot ten feet into Ninth
avenue, a. provided IN the right-of-way
ordinance. This was determined upon yea
ter1ay afternoon a. = star chamber session
Of the COMMITTEES Of the whole Of the city
council. held behind closed doors in tbs
mayors once. The secret session followed
an open meeting OF the committee IN the
council chamber, At which property owners
whose interests are affected by the advent
OF the Great Western into the city we're
present.
The star chamber session was the result
OF = suggestion made by Alderman Me-
Donald. after an opportunity had been
afforded a number Of citizens present TO
express their views and wishes in the
matter Of granting concessions 10 the in
coming railroad. The reporters present
were invited into the session In the mayors
Office. but their stay there was OF short
duration. Mcdonald. presumably realizing
that the presence OF tho reporters would
handicap a free expression from the alder
men on the ordinance before them, put on
his ovsrooat, and with the remark that
there seemed too many councilmen pres
emit" left the room ana went back Into
the council chamber. He had barely left
the room when Alderman Brown was seized
with a desire to absent himself, and thea
Alderman Hammer. fearing that the star
chamber session would fall for want Of q
quorum, suggested that the absence OF the
FapoFNara would ho nrafarahla - th.t.
presence,
Reporters Invited 20 Go.
The four reporters present failed to take
the hint and sat as II glued TO their chairs.
Then Alderman Hammer made q motion to
the effect that the reporters be requested
to leave the meeting. The motion was car
ried on a second from Alderman Brown, and
the reporters left. Alderman Mcdonald.
seeing that the meeting had been relieved
OF the presence OF the reporters, doffed
his silk-lined overcoat and rejoined his
brother aldermen. Alderman Brown also
recopsldered his desire to leave the room
and resumed his seat.
Several citizens whose property interests
are vitality affected by the proposed right.
of-way OF the Great Western we're free in
their criticisms OF the aldermen's DISCUSSING
matters OF such public interest az the two
ordinances now before the city council in
secret. behind closed doors. Several made
, suggestive remarks as 10 the city election
being close at hand. and hints, the mean.
Ing OF which could not DO mistaken, were
heard from several corners OF the council
chamber.
AZ the citizens were trooping down the
stairs from the council chamber, Alderman
Hammers voice was heard saying that h.
for one would oppose the city granting
the Great Western any portion Of Ninth
avenue. and this helped to appease some
OF the more indignant citizens, who felt
they had been treated with scant courtesy
by the aldermen.
Decide Against Railroad.
The result Of the star chamber caucu.
was that the aldermen not only decided e
refuse permission to the Great Western &
absorb ten feet OF Ninth avenue In the con.
struotion OF tie freight depot. but that tn,
railroad would be required to lay lite tracks
at least sovent-hve feet from South avenue
which II proposes to parallel.
The ordinance providing for the vacation
by the city OF certain avenues and streets
was not taken up yesterday afternoon, bu
the aldermen will meet again this after
/ noon as a committee OF the whole whel
this ordinance win be considered.
! II IL said that the Great Western, un
less Il obtains the concessions asked for Il
the two ordinances, will threaten to piae,
It's terminals across the river In Eas
. Omaha Instead OF In Council Bluffs. TIL
: threat, Il was stated yesterday would b
held as a club over the aldermen. J. T
Greenshields, risht-ot-way agent for tn
Great Western In this city. when h
laanua1 - Al. l.l.l.. $500 - a.
chamber session, told several Of the alder
men that II the Great Western was un
: able TO secure from Council Bluffs what
asked for. the terminals would undoubtsdl
! be placed across the river, One OF IN
. aldermen TO whom this statement was mad
by Greenshields replied that as far AZ h
Was concerned the Great Western coul
i place It's terminals In the Missouri rive
for all he cared. but there was one thin
certain, he never would consent TO dee
eny Of the eity's streets 10 any railroa
and injure the property rights OF the cit
sens,
GrsnvilIe Dodge sHEEests Restriction
At the open session Greenvire Dodl
suggested Il might receive Great WEBSTER
!. in exchange for what concessions q mlEl
receive from the city should be required
o maintain arc lights At all lie grade eros
he inga In the city a. well as nagmen. NJ
RI Dodge took exception to several Of Il
- statements made At the previous msetiI
by Colonel Saunders. local attorney for Il
railroad. Attorney FINLEY appeared on b
half Of a number OF interested proper
In owners and objected 10 the vacation Of Al
portion Of Ninth avenue.
Attorney Saunders In answer TO an 4
Quiry stated that the Great Western h
100 no intention to lay any tracks on Min
40 avenue, He said Il was imperative that q
ten feet on Ninth avenue be granted I
." the construction Of the freight depot.
SO unless Il was the road would not have ~
heient rooms for his yard tracks.
sn II was said last night that ths aldo
mon have practically decided to permit /
,.o Great Western TO pave right up to /
property lire on the south side OF MIA
avenue. A. Il Il not believed q sldews
.a win be needed on this side Of the th'
oughfare.
~ N " plomhlna ~ taNanhona ak0