Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-16
AFFAIRS AT SOUTH OMAHA
Poor Prospect Of Twenty-Fourth Street
Paving Repairs.
MAYOR SAYS CTWs HANDS APE TIED
Money in Fund to Pay for the
work and Hence No Authority 60
order IL ~DOne-MaEic
City Gossip.

" II buht-NAhkAc
City Gossip.
at is the same old story" said Mayor
Koutsky yesterday to a Bee reporter. when
the question of repairs to the pavement on
Twenty-fourth street was brought up. The
city has no money to pay for repairs at
this time. 1t was only last fall that the
city paid out 1000 for filling holes with
concrete and then sheeting them over with
asphalt. This pavement wears out so rap
idly that 1t costs the city more to keep
it in repair than 1t would to pay interest
on a large increase in the bonded in
debtedness." Continuing, the mayor said
he guessed the people who travel the street
would have to worry along for some time
to come without any decided Improvement
las long as there is no money on hand
we cannot make improvements" said the
mayor.
A glance at the monthly report of the
city clerk shows that there is but a small
sum remaining in the street repair fund
Under the charter no contracts can be let
where there is no money in sight to pay
for the work and consequently the street
from A to N will be left In It's present
condition until there is money available for
the necessary repairs. Some have sug-
gested that a layer Of vitrihed brick be
laid over the present pavement, but en-
gineors say that one layer will not hold and
that what is needed is an entirely new
pavement to be laid under a guarantee.
From the present outlook nothing can be
lone to improve the condition OF this street
unless the property owners get together
and sign a petition for a new paving.
City Council Tonight.
A regular meeting Of the city council
will be held tonight. 1t is expected that
four or FIVE grading ordinances will be
reported favorably on, and that these or
dlnances will be placed upon second and
third readings and passed. The mayor will
sign the ordinances as soon as passed in
order that contracts may be let and the
work Of grading commenced as soon as
the frost is out of the ground. Then there
is the stock inspector ordinance, which
seems to be worrying a great many people.
The judiciary committee is due to report
on this ordinance tonight and 1t may go
through the second and third reading the
same as the grading bills. When it comes
to the mayors signature, how ever, tina
may be different. The mayor will insist
that he name the inspector. and in case
the council will not agree to this a veto
probably will be sent in. Mayor Koutsky
said that he removed the former stock ex-
aminer and he holds that IL is his priv
ilege TO appoint a man for the place when
ever he deems 1t necessary. 1t seems to
be the understanding that no bills will be
allowed tonight. Some damage claims will
be read and will be referred to the city
attorney for a report.
No Change of Grade.
Since the excavating for the South omahe
public library has commenced there seems
to be a general regret that there was no
change in the grade of NJ street made be-
fore the surveyor set the stakes. An eff
fort was made soon after the library board
purchased the site to have a cut made in
M street at the intersection of Twenty
third street, but as some of the property
owners east Of Twepty-third street objected
and claimed damages the matter was
dropped. II any change is made now 1t
will have to be made quickly, as the ex-
cavRting will be completed this week. The
great drawback to the present plans will
be when 1t comes to paving NJ. street from
Twenty-third street to Twenty-ffth street.
An engineer said yesterday that those who
are now opposed 70 the change of grade
will be surprised when the street is paved.
Quantities Of material arrive almost daily
for the foundations for the library and the
foundations will be set just as soon as the
temperature will permit OF the laying OF
cement.
school Board Meets.
An adjourned meeting of the Board Of Ed
ucation is billed for tonight. One of the
features of the meeting will be the p~,-
sentation of q petition from residents In the
southeast portion of the city asking that
the name of Albright school be changed to
Madison school. There seems to be little
objection to this and 1t is possible that the
request may be granted. That bill for
painting and some other repairs to build
ings probably will come up, but the ma
jority 81 the members seem to think that
the session will be a halfway peacable one.
Sells Furniture store.
The w. G. Sloane & Co. furniture store
at Twenty fourth and NJ streets was sold
Saturday to the Home Furniture company.
The latter is an incorporated institution
and will assume charge Of the store and Its
contents today. G. f. Gibbs of Omaha is
secretary and treasurer of the company and
will act as manager. At the present time
MT. 6lDDS INSluCo ~ OhhaAot "a
taking up his residence in this city.
Magic City Gossip.
Mrs. jay Laverty is entertaining Mrs. c.
c. Beckwith of Custer county.
The drill team Of the Royal Achates will
meet at their lodge hall Tuesday afternoon
at 2 o'clock.
An important meeting OF the local lodge
of Eagles will be held on Wednesday even
ing at the lodge hall.
A social given by the Young Peoples so,
cieties of South Omaha churches Will be Al
the Methodist church on Tuesday evening
The South Omaha High school will havC
its annual ~declamatory contest at the FRS
Methodist Episcopal church Friday. even
ing. March 20,
There will be a banquet to the members
o. She Get One club at the Young Men
Christian association this evening. Al
members of the club are invited.
Rev. w. J.. Calfee of Council 9luffs de,
| liyered an Interesting address at the men'i
meeting at the local Young Mems Chris
tian association yesterday afternoon.
Commencing Today the banks will opeI
at 10 a. m, instead OF 9 O'Clock, as for
merly. With the exception of Saturday tn
banks will close at 3 p. IN. On Saturday al
OF the banks will close at l p. m.
DRUGGISTS MUST BE CHARY.