Omaha daily bee., 1903-05-18
AFFAIRS AT SOUTH OMAHA
City Official Talks Of Need Of Increasing
Fire Department
SAYS cI1Vs GROWTH NEcEs IIATEs IT
Majority of Business Men Appear 90
he Favorable, but IL Involves
Larger Appropriation
Than is Now Made

Than is Now Made
South Omaha needs an increase in Its
hre department, said a city official in
talking to a Bee reporter last night. For
years the city managed to get along with
two hose companies. Now II has three
and another company is badly needed. The
rapid growth Of the city and the way ad-
ditiops arc being plated and small homes
erected makes 1t imperative that at least
one more hose company be placed in serv-
Ice"
The majority Of business men appear TO
favor an increase in the fire lighting APP
paratus, but this cannot be made on the
allotment of $4,000 a year for maintenance.
II is thought that the fire department
should be allowed fully as much as the
police department. which is $4,000 year,
less Of course the usual 10 per cent re-
serve. with an income of $4,000 the Fire
and Police Board could install another hose
company to be placed where 1t would be
Of the most service There is also de-
mand for hook and ladder truck and
steam FIRE engine good truck can be
bought for about $1,000, while a first-cass
steamer costs about $500. There is no
money in the FIRE fund now to pay salaries,
let alone buying new apparatus and hose.
'"It is too bad" said an n street prop
erty owner last night, that when the bond
proposition was submitted that provision
was not made for an increase in the nre
department. The sum of $4,000 can be well
expended in increasing the efficiency of
the department. Then the chances are
that insurance rates would be lowered.
OF course the packers want to see the
service improved and have signified a will
ingness to assist when the city shows an
inclination to get busy and do something.
The entire system of alarm boxes need
overhauling and additional boxes are
needed, but nothing can be done as long
az there is an overlap in the fire fund each
year"
Good Police Discipline.
The police force appears to be working
nicely under Chief Briggs. Good order is
being maintained in all parts of the city.
Last Saturday night only one arrest was
made and that was a case of plain drunk.
AS n general thing Saturday nights are
pretty lively in South Omaha, but now
the streets are quiet at night. All saloons
close promptly at midnight and public
dances also are required TO stop at that
hour. II is understood that on Tuesday
rect the chief to cause all slot machines
to be removed. All the gambling houses
are closed and some OF the proprietors of
places are figuring on taking an extended
summer vacation. No arrests were made
Sunday.
Mayors Proclamation.
Mayor Koutsky has his proclamation pre-
pared for the calling of a special election
on June % for the purpose of voting on the
question of increasing the bonded debt OF
the city. This proclamation will be Issued
today In most instances the voting places
will be the same as last fall The high
school bonds will be voted on by the people
at the same time as the city bond ISSUE
and the school district will bear its portion
OF the expense OF the election. As gem
eral thing the people seem to favor the
bonds. but there is some opposition from
persons who wanted to include a for
the purchase of parks in the general prop
osition. City ofncials feel that the taking
up OF the overlap and the extension of the
sewer system and the building of a suit
able city hall are more important Just now
than the purchase of grounds for parks.
RevivinE Commercial Club.
An effort is to be made to revive the
South Omaha Commercial club. For ii
number of years the club was quite prom
inent in local affairs, but interest laxed
and q meeting has not been held for about
a year The coming of the Ancient Order
OF United workmen state convention has
caused the sending of letters to the presi-
dent and secretary of the club and it Is
understood that an effort will be made to
hold a meeting some evening this week.
-
will be urged to attend in order that inter-
est In the welfare of the city may be re-
vfved.
VIII watch Proceedings.
Employees of the packing houses in South
Omaha are considerably interested in the
outcome of the conference between Pres
ident NJ. Donnelly OF the Amalgamated
Meat Cutters association and representa-
tiyes of the packing houses, to be held in
Chicago today at the Office of Nelson Nor
ris at the Union stock yards. IT is thought
that only preliminary arrangements will
be made today. but those interested here
expect that the revised schedule of wages
will be officially taken up on Tuesday and
some agreement reached not later than
Wednesday. All the packing houses I'm
South Omaha will be represented at this
conference.
Magic City Gossip.
There will be meeting of the city coun-
ell tonight.
The Q street viaduct is to be closed 10
| traffic today.
Work on the Carnegie library building has
not commenced.
An adjourned meeting of the Board OF
| Education Is to be held this evening.
| A. NJ Kitchen of Chicago is in the city
| the guest of Captain and Mrs. Bruce Nc
| Culloch.
c. e: Davis has gone to Denver to LOOK
| after business matters. He will be gone
about a week.
Harry Timmell. formerly of South Omanu
but now located in Sioux City, Is mere IoI
| a couple II days visiting friends.
| The cavalry troop meets for drill TO.
night. An inspection is to be made shortly
| by the adjutant general of the state
! Allen chapel was filled to overhowing last
night, the occasion being the visit of BishOI
! Q. 7. Shaffer of the African NJ. z. church.