Omaha daily bee., 1903-04-12
AFFAIRS At SOUTH OMAHA
Matter Of Calling Special Election to Vote
Bonds is Discussed.
NEW CITY BUILDING IS DECIDED ON
Authorities Determine to Submit n
Proposition for 100000 with
which to Build n City
Hail..

There seems to be some doubt about the
advisability Of calling a special election
for the voting of bonds given under the
new charter at this time. Members Of
council have been talking together and
SOM have taken legal advice. While the
new charter provides that the city may
vote bonds to take up its overlap, the
question arises as to whether this can be
done before August, as the exact amount of
the overlap will not be known until the
close of the fiscal year. 1t is considered
contrary to law to vote bonds for a debt
which does not exist, therefore it is as
serted that the overlap bonds cannot be
voted until some time in August. This
delay merely increases the amount Of in
terest being paid by the city. There seems
to be a desire on the part Of city officials
to cut down expenses as much as possible,
and II 1t can be done only one special cleo
tion will be held. Complications con-
stantly arise. Yesterday it was discov-
cred that the lease held by the city on the
present city hall building expires on De-
cember 1 Of the present year. The legisla-
ture has given the people OF South Omaha
the privilege Of voting bonds for a city
hall to cost approximately 10000.
City officials say that while the overlap
bonds may not be voted for until August
there is a demand that a special election
for city hall bonds be called at once in
order that the building may be completed
by the time the present lease expires. In
looking over the lease yesterday the mayor
and clerk decided that IL the city could
not move into its own quarters by December
1 it would lease the present quarters for
a short term. The question Of voting bonds
for a city hall only will doubtless be dis
cussed at length at the council meeting to
be held Monday night.
One great trouble about the building OF a
city hall will be the location OF a site. Some
want the city hall erected north Of N street
while others say that II should be built
south of N street in order to build up that
portion OF the city. An oficial said last
night that no doubt the council would set
a price to be paid and then advertise for
bids. One site for the proposed building
is in the vicinity Of Twenty-fourth and o
streets and another is on the vacant prop
erty at Twenty-hfth and o streets. other
sites suggested are at Twenty-ffth and NJ
streets and Twenty-fourth and NJ streets.
There is a vacant lot at Twenty-fourth and
L streets, but this is considered too far
away from the business center OF the city.
The cost OF a special election will amount
to about 800. Then, II there has to be an
other special election in the fall to take up
the overlap and vote sewer bonds, the cost
will be about the same. making a double
expense. This increased expense could be
avoided were It not for the fact that bond
buyers will hardly take overlap bonds
voted until the exact amount OF the over
lap Is known.
Repairing Streets.
For two or three days past the mayor
has had a number Of men making repairs
to streets. Yesterday the force was work
ing on Missouri avenue. Holes at Twelfth,
Thirteenth and Sixteenth streets we're filled
and the dirt tamped down so that IL will
stand a hard rain without washing out.
Some good work has also been performed
by the repair department at Seventeenth
and o streets. where there was quite a big
hole. Even with all the work performed