Omaha daily bee., 1903-05-09
AFFAIRS At SOUTH OMAHA
Citizens in Mass Meeting Discuss the New
High School Proposition.
BOARD GETS SUPPORT IT NEEDED
Sentiment All one way and That In
Favor of the Immediate Com
structiOn of an Ample High
school Building.

to consider the matter OF more school room
about three dozen representative citizens
gathered in the assembly room Of the high
school building and discussed the question
last night. Although all of the newspapers
had given notices of the meeting and many
personal letters had been sent out by the
committee on buildings and grounds the
attendance was small. Dana Morrill, acted
as chairman. He first called upon Superin-
tendent Mclean to give facts and figures
in regard to the condition of the schools,
Prof. Mclean told of the enrolment of 2O7
pupils in the high school and said that
ffty-seven classes had to be accommodated
in what might be called eight rooms. He
considered the ventilation entirely made
quate and called attention TO the condition
of the assembly room where the meeting
was held.
In his argument for a new high school
building Superintendent Mclean said that
from the sidewalk to the assembly room is
seventy two steps. This he considers too
many. Then again he said that the halls
IN the present building are entirely too mar
row. Taking each department through the
professor showed those present that the
building now occupied by the high school
is not adequate. While he made no sug-
g~estions, he told of the actual conditions
| tAlbllllk anu " bAAOW PASeNAAA
through the building to su~bstantiate his
statements.
When Superintendent clean concluded
1t was evident that nearly every one in the
room was in favor Of the construction OF q
suitable high school building.
Chairman Morrill, called upon Colonel c.
M. Hunt for remarks, and the colonel
favored voting bonds to provide sufficient
room for pupils of the public schools.
A. L. Bergquist, a former member of the
board, was asked for an opinion. Mr.. Berg
quist said that he favored spending 100000
on the construction of n high school build
ing on the site already owned by the dis
trict, but he did not favor bonds. He sug-
gested an increase in taxation instead of an
issue of bonds.
Thomas ]. O'Neil favored the immediate
construction of a high school building and
so did Colonel ]. b. Watkins. Other speak
ers followed in the same strain. 1t is more
than likely that the Board of Education
will submit a proposition to the people to
vote $780, o in bonds for a high school
building and turn the present building into
a ward school.
Many Of those present did not favor the
idea of the city buying the present high
school property for a city hall, as IT is re-
ported that the building is not worth as
much as might be demanded by the board,
although all admit that the site is an ideal
one for a city hall.
The meeting was called for the purpose of
securing an expression from the people on
the subject OF bonds. and II Is now up to the
board to decide whether the proposition
will be submitted or not.
Dirty Area Ways.
Several times within the last month the
attention of the city authorities has been
called to the condition of areaways In the
business portion OF the city. Many Of the
areaways are filled with rubbish of all
kinds, especially papers and other infiam-
mable material. Inspector Jones has served
a number of notices to clean up, but he
merely wastes postage, for no attention is
paid to his orders. Now that the police and
Are departments are under control of a
board there is to be a cleaning up Of the
Chairman Vansant of the Fire
! and Police board said last night that at the
meeting of the board to be held Tuesday
night the matter will be brought up. II 10
understood that Chief Garrett of the fire
department will be directed to make an In
s~pection of all areaways in the business
portion of the city and to serve notices to
clean UP within twenty-four hours. If tina
orders of the chief are not obeyed arrests
will surely follow.
Viaduct Considered Dangerous.
The flooring Of the Q street viaduct is
considered to be in a dangerous condition.
Transfers say that the cracks between
planks are so wide in some places as to
null the shoes of horses. TIL bridge Is In
such a condition that street cars are COM
PEELED to run slow, in order to prevent
vibration as much as possible. All the rails
road companies, supposed TO keep the
bridge in repair have to say is that the lack
of material prevents them from making re-
pairs. Councilmen O'Connor and Frederick
are going to take the matter up and O'Con'
nor says that unless something Is done
very soon the bridge will have to be closed
to traffic.
Both Want Appointments.
Since the removal Of Policeman Bingham,
coIored, there is considerable rivalry among
the colored politicians for the vacancy on
the force. Henry Stewart has filed an ap-
plication with Secretary B%ergquist Of thu
Fire and Police board. and so has Barney
Greer. Both are we'll known in political
circles and have numerous endorsements to
their applications. 1t is understood that
some colored man will be given a place, but
,ust how soon the members OF the board
do not state.
Christian Association Items.
The meeting of the Young Mems Chris
tan association Sunday afternoon will be
of unusual interest. Mr.. w. w. Lockwood,
assistant secretary at Omaha, who goes to
the association at Shanghai, China, In a
short time, will be the speaker. Mr.. Lock-
wood will be supported by the associations
Of the state Of Nebraska, His topic will
be THE Treasure Of the Orient"
Tn committees OF the religious section of
the association met Friday evening for a
conference with State Secretary j. p.
Bailey and w w. Lockwood on the re-
ugious work of the coming year.
The Young Mems Christian association
tennis court, Twenty-third and X streets,
will be ready for games the first of the
week.
The regular monthly meeting OF the
woman's auxiliary will be held at the home
Of Mrs. DR.. White, Twenty-third and G
streets, Tuesday at 2:3O.
The boys have purchased a complete sot
OF magazine covers for their reading table.
The department have also organized a base