Omaha daily bee., 1903-05-05
BROATCH'S HEAD INSECURE
Governor Dislikss Method Of Turning Police
Into Political Machine,
EFFECT LITTLE CHANGE IN ASSESSMENT
Agent of Omaha Hotel ana Restnu-
rant AssociRtion Searches Linz
coin in vain for walters
and Cooks.
cFrom a star correspondent.l

ffrOm a stan correspondent
LINCOLN, Neb., May 4-(Special)-I Is
not only possible but It is probable that
the action Of w. J. Broatch in using the
police force Of Omaha as a political ma
chine to break up political meetings and
to coerce voters will result in his being
removed from membership on the Board
OF Fire and Police commissioners. There
is no question but Governor Mickey is
seriously considering the manner in which
the police force Of Omaha is being con-
Quoted, with a view toward a betterment
OF conditions.
This morning Governor Mickey was
asked II substantial proof was laid before
him to the effect that members Of the
police board we're using the police depart
ment Of Omaha as a private machine to
further their own interests and TO break
up opposition meetings, would he remove
such members The governor desired that
he be not quoted in the matter at this
time, owing to the fact that tomorrow is
election day and owing to the serious con-
dition that now exists in Omaha.
While the governor has not during the
last few days kept up with the reports
concerning members OF the police board,
by reason Of his absence in st. Louis, he
is by no means asleep to the necessity of
some action being taken. The governor
expressed himself as being deeply con-
cerIed at the situation in Omaha, and
while he would state nothing definite at
this time, he intimated that in the near
future some action w.d'd be taken to Sc
cure a board Of fire and police commits
sioners that would attend to the business
assigned to that branch Of the city gov
eminent and not make out OF the police
department the mere political machine that
It is now.
Governor Mickey stated that he would
have to look up the law in the matter
first and then proceed slowly in a manner
that would result in receiving the appro-
baton of a majority OF the people OF
Omaha.
Roosevelt g. Interested.
President Roosevelt felt that some action
would be necessary IN Omaha politics and
before leaving st. Louis he and Governor
Mickey bad a tpjk regarding the matter.
While the governor would say nothing
this morning that would tend to show that
he was at all preJudiced In the Omaha
political fight. he gave the impression that
he realized the members of the Board of
Fire and Police commissioners were acting
contrary to the law and he intimated also
that in the near future he would take a
hand in the Affairs of the board with a
view to making 1t what It should be. The
statutes gives to the governor power to
remove a member Of the beard from office
when that member does not do his duty,
who violates his oath or becomes incom-
petent to serve. The governor intimated
that he would call upon the people Of
Omaha to assist him in selecting a board
Of police commissioners that would do its
duty in conducting the police force in the
interest of the people and law and order
and not as a mere machine at the beck
and call Of politicians.
Treasurer Files Statement.
Treasurer Mortensen today filed with the
auditor his monthly statement, showing the
receipts and disbursements of the Ne
braska state treasury for April, 1908, and
the banks in which money is on deposit.