Omaha daily bee., 1903-05-10
AFFAIRS AT SOUTH OMAHA
Quarter of Million in Bonds Proposed for
Public Improvements,
NEW CITY HALL GENERALLY TALKED OF
Building to Cost Fifty Thousand Dol
lars, with Accommodations for
All City Departments, Finds
Favor with Taxpayers.

The proposed issue of bonds for public
improvements is one Of the topics of con-
versation between business men these days.
AS now figured out the people will be asked
to vote 500, 900 for a new high school build
ing. $35, 900 for the extension of the sewer
system in the eastern part of the city, $780,
0OO for a city hall building and $4,000 to
take up the outstanding overlap. This will
make a total Of S255, eco in bonds to be voted
on in case the present intention of the Of
hclals is carried out. Local bankers and
| bond buyers say that this issue of general
Indebtedness bonds can be hoated at this
time at AZ per cent. A slight premium
might possibly be bid for the bonds, but
owing to the low rate of interest the pre-
MUM would not amount TO much. Should
the issue of $255, 900 in bonds be made the
annual interest at AZ per cent would
amount to $1l ,475. An additional appropria-
ton in the interest fund would be neces-
sary to provide for this amount. Last year
the council levied $685. 51 for interest and
of this sum all but $4,000 has been paid out,
While the city attorney has been in
structed to draft an ordinance providing
for the voting of bonds in the sum of $40,
900 for a city hall. this ordinance will most
likely be amended to read $4,000 when 1t
gets to the judiciary committee. 1t is as
serted that at the present price OF building
material and labor that a suitable building
cannot be constructed for $40, 1000. 1t is
figured that the site, wherever chosen, will
cost in the neighborhood of $4,000.
In speaking OF the city hall proposition
q heavy taxpayer said to a Bee reporter
last night: Il do not care where the pro-
posed city hall is erected, but ] think
the city ought to put up a creditable struc-
tura. There should be a good we'll venti-
lated Jail, a matron's department, a chiefs
! office and an Office Cor the jailors. Then
there must be a council chamber, will a
| committee room. Provision must be made
for the city treasurer, mayor. tax commits
sioner. city clerk, city engineer, building
inspector and the sanitary inspector. Then
there should be rooms for the city attorney
and the city prosecutor. The chief OF the
fire department should also have an ONCE
in the building. Such a building will cost
not less than $40, OOO. 1t will have to be
provided with vaults for the storage Of
records and the construction of these will
take considerable money"
There has been some talk about the city
purchasing the present high school build
ing and remodeling It. This idea is not
considered feasible. as the building is an
old one and it would take more than $4,000
to put 1t in Mt condition TO be used for city
purposes and even then the city would
nave an Oh hcllulnB on It's hdhuSs
Just as soon as the council gets its bond
voting propositions down to where some
thing is known definitely IL is understood
that the Board of Education will ask that
the high school proposition be voted on at
the same time.
AT the present time the general bonded
debt OF South Omaha is 1901, 600. With the
addition OF S255. coo the total general in
debtedness would be $4,000. This is not
considered large for a city Of the size OF
South Omaha
May Sell High school Annex.
While there Is talk about bonds for a
new high school. the suggestion has been
made that the High school annex at
Twenty-sixth and NJ streets be sold and
the proceeds used toward erecting a suit
able ward school. Teachers say that the
present location Is no NJ place for children
as the constantly meet a low class OF
naonle IN aoina to and Coming from school