Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-22
RILEY PROTESTS ON CANAL
Asserts the Grant to Andrew Rosswater
Interferes with His Plans.
PROBABLE CLEMENcY FOR MURDERER RHEA
United MOderns Denied Privilege OF
Conducting FraternaI Insurance
By the state Insurance
Commissioners.
(From a Stan Correspondent.l

NFrom a STAN correspondent
LINCOLN, April 21-(special.)-James
Riley OF Plattsmouth has protested to the
secretary Of the State Board Of Irrigation
against the allowance Of the application
Of Andrew Rosewater Of Omaha for per-
mission to use the water Of the Plattsmouth
river above Ashland for power purposes.
Mr.. Riley is the promoter Of an enterprise
somewhat similar In nature, which, we're
it carried into operation. would use the
water near P~lattsmouth. or below the point
Of Mr.. Rosewster's claim. Several days
ago the secretary Of the board acted ia
vorably on Mr.. Rosewater's application, and
now Mr.. Riley demands a hearing, to the
end that a full and free discussion Of the
situation may be had.
The power plant contemplated in the
plans Submitted by Mr.. R%osewater is by
far the largest and most extensive ever
formally proposed in this state. 1t would
have a capacity OF so, 900 horse power. would
utilize 5000 cubic feet Of water per second,
and would cost IS, 900, 900 to build. The sys-
tenn would include a reservoir Of &c. 900
acres, extending from a point four miles
below Valley. to within four miles Of Ash
land. At the lower end OF this reservoir
would be a dam six miles across. The water
would be stored in this immense basin
and taken as needed through a canal to
another reservoir about midway between
Ashland and Richheld. where the power
machinery would be located. The water
would be returned to the river. undimin-
ished In quantity, except as by evaporation
and natural waste, at a point nearly below
Richheld.
Basis of Riley Protest.
Mr.. Riley has filed a protest, in which
he says: Il beg leave to call your attention
to the fact that the appropriation OF water
at that point involves the construction
Of a dam to impound it. the height Of which
will probably be about forty feet, and the
length Of It about six miles. l would in
form you further that II would involve the
construction OF a tunnel leading into Buff
falo creek, the length OF which will be
two miles.
Il call your attention further to the fact
Of the practical impossibility OF the con-
struction Of such a dam as contemplated.
The undertaking is chimerical and impos-
sible.
II beg leave to call your attention 10
the fact that we are undertaking the con-
struetion Of a power canal. known as the
Plattsmouth canal, commencing at the east
end Of Ashland bridge and lntersecting 1t
" running dCIOSs Sdlu bNhdiO CEtth. Inc
allowance OF the said water right to the
said Rosewater might seriously interfere
with our financial negotiations, leading up
to the procurement Of a sufficient amount
Of money with which to carry to a success
full conclusion our undertaking. /, there
fore, protest against the allowance to the
said Andrew Rosewater of his water right
or appropriation, to the end that a full
and free discussion Of the situation of both
sides be held with a view 10 determining
whether or not his request be granted"
Secretary Dobson OF the State Board OF
Irrigation said today he would give Mr..
Riley an opportunity TO be heard on his
protest. and that n he then declines to
revoke the permit already issued to Mr..
Rosewater. the only or next recourse will be
to appeal to the board.
New wrinkle In Insurance.
A new idea In insurance was brought to
the attention OF the state insurance de-
partment today and a decision was given to
the effect that II could not be put into
operation in this state. as requested, under
the fraternal insurance law. z. NJ. John
son OF Denver. supreme chancellor Of the
United Moderns, asked permission for his
company to enter the Nebraska field. The
company issues policies on the old line
basis, but IL organized as a fraternal or
der. In other words. II is OF the stipu-
ated premium class Of companies with the
Sraternal feature attached. Mr.. Babcock.
deputy insurance auditor. says the company
may be licensed in the stipulated class, but
cannot be termed a fraternal order.
In writing 20 the insurance department
Mr.. Johnson says the idea is used merely
10 attract persons who favor the fraternal
orders because they furnish social amuse-
ment and association.
Hope for Rhea.
Governor Savage has thus far given no
intimation to what his decision will be in
the application for executive clemency in
Behalf OF William Rhea. He has said that
he will give his decision to the public
sometime before April 20. but further than
this he declines to be interviewed. II is
becoming generally believed that the gov
'ernor intends to commute the sentence.
Several weeks ago, when the matter was
first being agitated. Private Secretary
Clancy prepared a statement for the gov
ernor to sign denying the plea for elem
ency. The statement was never signed.
but was returned to Mr.. Clancy. SO Il is
stated, and has now been forgotten. Mr..
Clancy In the meantime has found that
there were extenuating circumstances in
the crime and II is reported that he has