Omaha daily bee., 1902-07-25
AFFAIRS At SOUTH OMAHA
Union Pacific Activity B1dtsa Hopes Of
Extensive Improvements.
LONG DORMANT PLANS TAKE ON NEW LIFE
s~urveyOrs Run Lines and Set Stake
which May Lead to New Tracks,
= viaduet and n New
Depot.

Depot.
For several days past a party Of railroad
surveyors has been working from the sum-
init southwark. Wednesday the party
worked on Commercial street between II
and J streets, and yesterday the work Of
running lines was carried on almost to the
Union Pacific depot. AS stakes are being
set and lines run II is inferred that the
Union Pacific is preparing to submit a
proposition to the city council In the near
future.
While nothing definite is known o~fheially
regarding the proposed proposition, Il Is
understood that a request will be made for
the vaeating of the stub ends of streets in
the northern part OF the city. These stub
ends are located between Commercial street
and the railroad right-of-way and have
never been opened to travel, so that by
v~acatlng them there would be no incon-
v~enience to the people. Another request,
80 1t is rumored, will be the ~vacating of a
portion OF Commercial street in order that
additional tracks may be laid from the
yards here to Omaha. As Commercial ave-
nue. north Of J street is very little used,
some OF the city officials see no harm In
consenting to vacating at least a portion
| Oh the street, AuOlneT TeQuebL WHICH Iht
council expects VIII be made is the vaca-
ting Of Railroad avenue from N street south
to q street,
ohhcials here expect that when the propo-
sition is submitted by the Union Pacific It
will, in lieu OF the concessions granted,
agree to at once proceed to erect a viaduct
across the tracks and to construct a new
depot to be located on Railroad avenue be-
tween N street and the proposed viaduct.
With the construction Of a viaduct and the
building OF a new depot the tracks would
be fenced and the grade crossing at Q
street would be closed.
Members of the city government assert
that they are perfectly willing to make any
reasonable concessions in order to bring
about the erection OF a viaduct and a new
depot. The contemplated changes in track
age, IL made, will greatly increase the rail-
road facilities at this point and permit the
transportation lines to handle the rapidly
increasing business much more expedi-
tiously than can now be done under exist
ing circumstances.
Filling washOuts.
The dirt purchased by the council from
/ the Ancient Order Of United Workmen
Temple association for 8 cents a yard will
be used In filling the big hole at Twenty
first and L streets. This work will COM
! mence just as soon as the exoavating Cor
the temple is begun, which will be in
/ about a week.
One Of the hardest propositions is the
repairing Of the roadway at the interssc-
t ton Of Twenty-third and = streets. The
hole In the street at this point is as big
: as an ordinary house and the city engineer
says that 1t will do no good to fill It I'M
D less steps are taken to carry of the sur
face water.
A plan has been suggested by the en-
I gineer which is meeting with favor in the
council. The engineer suggests that two
lots east OF Twenty-third street and just
north OF q street be purchased by tne city
E and that q nume be built to carry of
D storm water and allow It TO waste on these
two lots. AS these lots are in a draw OF
gully no harm can come OF such an ar.
rangement and the purchase will doubt.
less be made. especially as the two lots
can be bought for 500. 1t is asserted tina
by doing this q street from Twenty-third
> to Twenty-fourth street and the intersec.
: tion Of Twenty-third and E streets can be
; kept in good condition, no matter how
: much wet weather there is.
In the hlling Of this big e street hole
, the council will ask for bids and let a con-
tract for the work. as It is asserted that
: the filling can be done much cheaper In
; this way than by the regular street force,
McCleary stIn Held.
w. b. MeCleary, recorder for camp No.
227, Ancient Order OF United Workmen, is
still detained at police headquarters on the
charge OF enbezzling a certain sum 81
money from the order. His hearing has
been set By Judge King for next Tuesday
afternoon. Ip a conversation with a Bee
reporter McCleary admitted having appro-
priated q portion of the funds entrusted
to his care. He said that there had been
: q death in the family and that It was nee
essary that he have some money at once
and he used the lodge money. intending to
pay 1t back as rapidly as possible.
. McCleary has sent to relatives In Chi
. cago for money and made the statement
yesterday that he would have the matter
settled up before the date Of his hearing
arrived.
: The Library Site.
: The deeds for the transfer of the prop
r erty at Twenty-third and NJ streets from
the Glasgow estate 20 the South Omaha
= Library board are ready. but there is sons
delay on account OF lack Of funds. TIL
: council will ask the board to submit a
a report Of the amount OF money on. hanc
I and II there Is not enough in the fund to
= complete the purchase, a transfer from
n some other fund will be made in order
e that the deal for the site may be closed
= The city officials appear perfectly willing
Q to provide sufncient money for the pur-
chase Of the site. but so far have declined
r to furnish any money for expenses for tn,
. board. More than likely arrangement
o will be completed the forepart OF next
n week for the transfer OF the property.
weather Causes Delay.
lack cuddington has the contract for th,
% grading Of Twenty-seventh street from
n to r streets, but he cannot
h work for SONS time yet. He said las.
r evening that, owing TO the long wet spell
he would be unable to complete his con,
d tract In Iowa and set to work on Twenty,
y seventh street before September 1. Thil
a will, It is stated. be in plenty Of time t
get the work done and let the grount
y harden before cold weather sets in. n,
ground Is 30 soft and full OF water nov
IS that very little. II any. grading Is beinl
done In this vicinity at the present time.
: POundmasteF Keeps Busy.
Since May 10. when the dog-catehinl
= season opened here. Poundmaster MECH
= H. N,uaA~A 80 - am -