Omaha daily bee., 1902-11-27
AFFAIRS At SOUTH OMAHA
Attention Of City officials is Called to Q
Street Viaduot.
ENGINEER DECLARES IT is DANGEROUS
Middle and West End o spans
Are said TO Re I'm an Unsafe
Condition-MaEIc City
Gossip.

The attention Of the city ofhcisls was
called yesterday to the condition Of the Q
street viaduct by a letter from c. A. Pratt,
chief engineer OF the Armour plant in this
city. Mr.. Plat declares that the middle
and west end wooden spans Of the Q street
viaduct are in a dangerous condition. He
further says that the street car tracks are
uneven and that motor trains often run
over this portion Of the bridge at nearly
full speed. This speed" says Mr.. Pratt.
brings a tremendous strain upon the
wooden spans, which are partially rotted
away"
Some time ago the attention Of the city
authorities was called TO the condition Of
the viaduct by the newspapers. and IL was
asserted at the time that the railroads
WOULD be asked to make immediate repairs.
Matters ran along for a month or so and
then II was given out by the railroads that
material had been ordered for the repairs.
W S. King, chief engineer Of the Union
Stock Yards company, was authority for
this statement. He said the material had
to come from oregon and be could not say
just when it would arrive.
In addition to the complaint Of Engineer
Pratt about the condition Of the bridge he
says that the street car tracks are uneven
and thus endanger the lives Of those cross
ing in crowded cars.
In looking up the city records it was
found that the bridge was never meant fer
street car trafBc at the time It was en-
acted. When the people in the southwest
ern part Of the city wanted a street car
line they were willing TO give up every
thing, so 1t seems, in order to get the line
through. One Of the old Third ward rep
resentstives in the council at that time,
J. J. Ryan. secured the passage Of an or
dinance declaring the street car company
exempt from all repairs for q long term Of
years providing the line was extended.
Since that time the new charter has been
in effect and a decision Of the supreme
court has been handed down declaring 1t
the duty Of railroads to keep the viRducts
in repair, etc.
Now the great trouble seems to be about
the laying Of tracks on the Q street viaduct.
Engineers consulted yesterday assert that
II the railroad companies would repair the
bridge properly the street car company
should be compelled to lay it's tracks on a
level with the roadway and not have them
from three to six inches above the planks
used by teams. This" said an engineer
who looked over the ground with a Bee re-
porter, could be sverted by the laying Of
a double floor. The street car company
uses a T rail, and IL a double floor was
laid, which should be done, the rails would
not project above the flooring, providing
the company was compelled to lay a floor
ing between the tracks"
1t was asserted by city ofhcials last night
that unless improvements on the viaduct
commence soon the structure will be closed
to traffic.
City Firemen Dance.
At the the troop armory hall last night
the members OF the paid fire department
Of South Omaha gave their thirteenth an
nual ball. There was a large attendance,
the hall being crowded from the time OF the
opening dance until the orchestra played
Home, Sweet Home"
All Of the members Of the department
appeared in uniform and presented a fne
appearance. Arrangements we're made by
Chief Etter that in case Of a fire an alarm
should be sent direct to the hall by private
wire and the hose companies were in shape
to respond Immediately.
In honor OF the occasion the hall was
decorated with flags and potted plants and
the music was excellent. The net proceeds
OF the ball will be turned into the Fire
mems Relief association.
Hard Coal Arrives.
Several cars OF anthracite coal arrived
here yesterday. 1t was all Of the range
size and eastern dealers write here that
there is no prospect OF getting chestnut
coal west OF the river before February
/. 1t appears that range coal is all thai
is being shipped now. In many cases this
will prove a hardship to South Omaha con-
sumers OF anthracite, as chestnut size il
generally desired. The range coal now OF
the market is selling at S14 a ton.
Martin Funeral Services.
Yesterday afternoon at the First Meth
odist Episcopal church, T~wenty-third and
N streets, Rev. NJ. A. Head delivered 9
sermon over the remains Of e. l. Martin
one Of the pioneers of Nebraska. Tho
members of Bee Hive lodge Of the MasonI
and also members OF the local Grand Army
post attended the services. Many Of the
old timers in this section also attended
Following the services the remains wert
taken 10 Bellevue for interment.
Merry-GO-ROund Club.
The Merry-Go-Round club will give iti
annual winter picnic at the home OF Mrs
S. C. shrigley. Twenty-third and E streets
Saturday OF this week. This club was OF.
gained a number Of years ago by a couple
Of dozen prominent young society girls ant
the annual meeting has been kept up
An enjoyable entertainment is promised
those who have invitations.
Heavy Draft Horses ante
Horse dealers at the stock yards sa!
there is a demand from the east for heav