Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-14
DISAGREE OVER ROAD FUND
Colonel Baker Of County Board Desires to
Retain Control Of Money.
FINALLY COMEDIES A SMALL PORTION
Members of the City Not
Inclined to Accept the Amount
Baker is willing 20
Allow Them.

II Colonel W. r.. Baker, member OF the
Board OF County Supervisors, is permitted
70 nave his way the city streets and alleys
fund viii derive little IL anything from the
proportion of the county road fund tax lev
led within the city limits. Colonel Baker
placed himself on record at the meeting Of
the county board as being opposed to al
lowing any portion Of this fund passing out
from under his direct control. He ex.
pressed himself, however, as being willing.
under certain conditions, to allow the city
TO have the direction Of the expenditure
OF 40 per cent Of the portion OF the fund
properly belonging to ii.
The statute provides that the portion OF
the county road fu5d tax levied within the
limits OF the city shall be expended under
the direction OF the city council. The dis
position OF this portion Of the county road
FUND has for several years proved a bone
OF contention between the county board
and the city council, but the two bodies
after more or less controversy have sue
eeeded in arriving at an amicable settle
ment. From the position taken by Colonel
Baker yesterday the city council antici-
pates that an appeal will have to be taken
to the courts before any arrangement will
be reached.
Last year Supervisor Matthews, who rep
resented the district including Council
Bluffs on the county board. made an ar,
rangement with the streets and alleys COM
mittee Of the city council whereby II had
the sole control OF the expenditure of 55
per cent Of this portion of the county road
fund, the county. represented by Matthews,
retaining the remaining 40 per cent. The
IS per cent was turned into the city treas,
ury in pursuance OF this agreement.
Baker TRkes a stand.
Saturday morning Aldermen Lougee,
Mcdonald and CaAper. composing the
streets and alleys committee Of the city
council, went before the county board with
a proposition that the city be allowed
so per cent Of the fund and hat the county
retain 40 per cent on the understandings
that the city should have the entire con-
troll Of the expenditure of its portion. In
the superintendent OF the county road fund
Thursday among the supervisors for ex-
penditure in their respective districts the
proportion levied within the city limits
was included In the amount apportioned to
Colonel Baker. the supervisor from this
city. When the aldermen submitted their
proposition Colonel Baker at once raised
e strenuous objection and for a time would
listen to no argument on the question. He
took the positive stand that the money had
been apportioned to him for expenditure
and that the city might direct where II
should be expended az the law provided,
but that he should have sole control Of
such expenditure.
The other members of the board de-
clined to enter into the controversy. It be-
ing outside of their districts, and informed
the members of the streets and alleys com
mittee Of the city council that the matter
rested wholly with Colonel Baker. The al
dermen left the board room thoroughly dis
gusted with the chilly reception they had
ben accorded and declined to discuss the
matter any further. After they left Colonel
Baker receded somewhat from the position
he had assumed and stated that n the city
was willing to accept 40 per cent Of the
fund raised within the municipal limits he
would consent TO IL.
COuncIImen stand Pat.
when seen after the conference with the
board the members OF the streets and al
leys committee stated they would not under
n circumstances consent to accept the
20 per cent and that unless Colonel Baker
was willing to give the city 60 per cent he
would have to expend the entire amount in
the manner the city council should direct
The claim Of Jasper J. Ferguson, re-
porter Of the superior court, for services
rendered as such during 1888, 1899 and 1900
amounting to 3545, was rejected, despite
the fact that the claim was certified to by
Judges A~yiesworth as provided by the
statute. Ferguson's claim originally wal
for 1.4so for go days service. OF this
amount he received S945. leaving a balance
Of s545. This was referred 10 q commit
tee. composed of II. n. Brown, clerk o
the superior court; County Auditor LINES
and G. @. Baird. deputy clerk Of the dis.
triet court. This COMMITTEES reported thai
Ferguson had been actually engaged II
taking notes only 1ss days. but did not give
him credit for the number OF days he at.
tended court when cases would be con
tinued for hearing. Ferguson announced
his intention Of at once bringing sui
against the county.
The appointment OF Robert Brown b!
Sheriff Cousins as deputy sheriff at Man
ava was approved. Brown will serve with
out expense to the county.
The appointment OF DR.. Mary L. Tinle!
by the City Board Of Health TO care FOL
smallpox cases arising In the city wal
confirmed and her bond placed at 5000.
The board adjourned 10 the regular meet,
ing in June.