Omaha daily bee., 1902-11-30
TALK ABOUT POWER PROJECT
Southwest Improvement Club Takes Pre-
liminsry Turn at It
ANDREW RosEwATER EXPLAINS PURPOSE
w. n. Green Explains DimcuIty OF
FINANCING such a scheme HedEed
About with Unreasonable
Restrictive Provisions.

a trial heat OF the race TO be run Mon
day night at the mass meeting in the city
council chamber over the Rosewater fran
chise ordinance was paced last evening
before the Southwest Improvement club at
its regular meeting at Twenty fourth and
Leavenworth streets. City Engineer Rose
water was present to address the club on
the subject of his proposed franchise. Coyn-
Gilman Hascall, representing the opposition,
was also present upon invitation. City
Attorney Connell w. H. Green and c. w
Haller were present as regular club mem
bers. These nve we're the principals In an
interesting, even though ne-sided debate.
Mr.. Rosewater, in the main address Of the
evening gave In a concise way the impor-
tant points In his proposition. He pointed
out. as has been detailed in the papers
and as is shown by his proposed ordinance
as printed in The Bee, that this plan would
mean for Omaha power and light at 100
and 200 per cent cheaper than the present
rate; source OF power that would be an
inducement for outsiders to invest their
money in factories, business and all Omaha
propositions here, and incidentally a lake
some eight miles long by three wide, within
thirty miles of this city for a summer
resort. He showed that he intended to
secure the immense power by storing up
the waters Of the Platte and Elkhorn rivers
near the mouth Of the latter by joining
them together into lake.
Mr.. Rosewater also explained his objec-
tions to the substitute to his ordinance
which has been submitted by Councilman
HascaIl. He objected chiefly to the first
and fifth clauses OF this substitute The
nrst of these specifies that the franchise
rights shall terminate at the end of thirty
years. Mr.. Rosewater held that 1t was
unfair to ask that he attempt to go into
this work and bring capital to support II
when at the end of thirty years the entire
snair might be taken away and leave the
supporters nothing. The fifth clause de-
clares that any assignee of these rights
must hrst be approved by the mayor and
council. The city engineer pointed out
what his position would be in the event
OF a mayor and city council being elected
who were interested In the advancement
Of the interests OF such a company as the
Thomson Houston Electric Light company
HaseaII Has HIS Say.
After Engineer Rosewater's address
Councilman Hascall was called to the
front. He touched briefly on the clauses
Of his substitute proposition to which Mr.
Rosewater objected chiefly and dwelt al
considerable length on the statement that
the clauses which Mr.. Rosewater pointed
out are entirely useless because they are
already Incorporated in the city ordinances
Mr.. Hascall was followed by Attorney
Connell. who begged that an ordinance
which meant so much TO Omaha and It's fu-
ture be not hedged about with restriction
so as TO discourage II in any way. He had
faith In the Rosewater proposition as tbs
city engineer had drafted It.
G. w. Haller rather favored Hascall!
views, but stated that he looked forward
with great rejoicing to the prospect of I
canal being built.
Finally W. II. Green came to the from
with a boost for the Rosewater project
He spoke from personal experience on thu
dificulties that would confront Mr.. Rose
water IL he attempted to interest eastern
capitalists in a proposition hedged abou
with such restrictions as his not being al
lowed a franchise until the completion o
his power plant.
Before the main discussion Of the even
ing the club itlked on the subject of i'm
proving the grade OF Twenty-fourth stree
and q committee will be named by tn
president to present a petition to the prop
erty owners asking their signatures to
request for a graded street.