Omaha daily bee., 1903-05-21
AFFAIRS At SOUTH OMAHA
Annexation Talk Is Heard More Than Ever
on the Streets
BOND ISSUE is CAUSING THE DEBATE
Taxpayers Realize the Burden that is
Entailed and object to Adding to
1t Under the Present
Prospect.

Annexation was one topic OF conversation
on the streets and in the stores yesterday.
More than one business man who hereto
fore has been opposed to annexation
stated yesterday that II the question came
up at this time the proposition would carry.
For some time past there has been a feel
ing among the people that annexation TO
Omaha is not far on. Today the feeling in
favor OF the proposition is stronger than
ever and II those who are interested keep
on working 1t may be that the question can
be voted on before long.
What is the use OF South Omaha tax
payers voting bonds for improvements
here said a man who has a considerable
sum invested here, when annexation is
staring US in the face" Continuing, this
business man said: ''since the Fire and
Police board has put a wall around the
city and prohibited almost everything in
the book, there is no chance for a business
man at all. We might as well be annexed
now as at some future time. for the rea-
son that II the proposed issue OF bonds
carry 1t will only add to the debt when an
nexation does come" Inquiry among mer-
chants Of all classes. clothiers, druggists.
shoe men. real estate dealers and even coal
dealers, shows hat trade is dull.
While the city needs the improvements.
especially a new high school building. It is
doubtful 10Y If the bonds win carry the
way matters in the city are progressing.
1t is understood hat several OF the many
Unions In the city have discussed the bond
problem and have decided 20 vote against
the proposition when the day comes.
At the present time the general bonded
debt of South Omaha is ssO7 ,OOo, and the
district Indebtedness a little over $4,000. A
well known representative OF a Toledo bond
concern, Splitter a Co., called at The Bee
ONCE yesterday afternoon fos the purpose
OF looking into the proposition. He said
that even at 5 per cent the bonds, IL off,
cred for sale. would bring but a small pre-
MUM and that under existing conditions
II might be hard to find bidders even at
that rate OF interest. BY raising the rate
OF interest on the proposed bonds from ~
to not more than 5 per cent the city ofi-
Gals expected 10 secure premium enough
to help out the general fund until the 1908
levy is available.
Some say that as annexation is coming
soon a city hall costing 1900 is not needed.
All those who rave business at the city
hall admit that the quarters are made
auate 20 the needs OF the city. This talk
for annexation does not come from any one
class OF people or from politicians repre-
senting any one party. The fever seems 20
be on and a great many OF the people say
that they would like 10 have a chance 10
vote on the question as soon as possible.
BergGuist'H order Modified.
On Tuesday evening the Fire and Police
board adopted a resolution introduced by
Nolan. directing the acting chief of police
to remove all slot machines, excepting
those used as and known as merchandise
machines"
Chief Briggs called upon A. l. Bergquist,
secretary OF the board, Wednesday morn
ing for Instructions and Mr.. B~ergquist In
structed the chief to cause every slot ma
chine OF any kind to be removed. The chief
went about his business and notified saloon
keepers, druggists and cigar dealers. Those
who had either attended the meeting OF
the board or had read the resolution
adopted. complained Immediately 70 other
members OF the board and the result was
that the chief had 10 go over his route
again and release the embargo on merchants
disc machines.
One resolution OF the board offered by