Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-18
AFFAIRS AT SOUTH OMAHA
City Forced to Borrow Money to Meet Cost
of Grading
PROPERTY OWNERS NEGLECT TO SETTLE
Public improvements Ordered and
Done are Now Left for the City
TO Pay For Through Pecu-
liar Conditions.

From the condition of the city treas
urers books 1t appears that money will
have to be borrowed April / to take up
certain grading obligations. Grading dis
trict No. 50, the alley between Twenty
fourth and Twenty-ffth streets, extend
ing from F TO G streets, was created by
ordinance on November p, 1902. This
grading has been completed at a cost Of
S1,45O. The first bond Of Sl45 and interest
is due on April l, and not a cent has been
paid in by the abutting property owners
towards paying the cost OF this work. Quite
g number Of the property owners who are
taxable for this work are non-residents.
There was no difficulty about securing their
signatures for the improvement. but when
it comes to paying that seems TO be a diff
ferent matter. City Treasurer Howe has
sent out the customary notices, but has
not received a single reply. On this ac-
count the city will be compelled to borrow
the money TO take up tie first bond and
pay the interest.
Two of the lots AUDITING on the i'm
provement made are owned in England.
The same condition prevails in grading
district No. AZ. This is between n and o
streets on Twenty-second street. There
is an overdraft in this grading fund Of
fouu ant Win Interest uut april ] II VIII
be necessary to borrow $3.50 TO square mat
tiers with the fiscal agency. Que peculiar
feature Of this transaction is the fact that
Cash Bros, the grading contractors who
did the grading and received pay for the
work are now suing the city to get relief
from paying the grading tax on four lots
which they own. City Attorney Murdoch
will contest these Cash Bros. cases and
will also make an effort 10 secure payment
OF the Legitimate grading taxes in other
districts where the city claims a right to
assess, after the necessary petitions have
been signed and presented TO the council.
Queenan and BrOderiek stick.
Last nigh. William Queenap, council
man from the Sixth ward and William
Broderick, councilman from the Fifth ward,
stated 10 a Bee reporter that they had
been advised by their attorneys to keep
out OF the primaries to be held on Friday.
w will not only keep out of the pri-
maries, " said Queenan, but, following the
advice of our attorneys, we will keep out
Of the convention. Our attorneys hold that
we we're elected for a term Of two years,
and we will pay no attention TO the con-
vention nominating couneilmen 20 repre-
sent the Fifth and Sixth wards"
This actiou on the part Of Queenan and
Broderick may make some difference II
the convention, II is understood that ever
should the nomination be offered them al
the convention it will be declined, the con.
tention beng that under the present char
ter these two members are elected to serve
for a term Of two years.
Christian Union social,
Last night at the First Methodist Epis
copal church a young peoples Christian
social was held. All OF the Protestan
churches In the city we're represented. Al
interesting program was rendered. Thos
taking part were: Misses Alice Davis
Ruth Miller, Annabelle Davis, Della CLARK
Leota whitehead, Mckenzie, Stella TOft
Myrtle Keefer, Messrs. Young. Marsh an
Wiers.
81. PHtricL's Day.
ST. Patriek's day was observed In a yer,
quiet way yesterday. Al the Cudahy an
Armour plants certain departments wer
closed down at noon 10 give employees
half days rest and an opportunity 10 en-
Joy q holiday. Al swift's the plant TU
along as usual, as no notice Of q holiday c
any sort was mentioned by the superin
tendenL. Business al the stock yards close
early and the employees who desired an
time on were granted the privilege. Their
was a celebration al Hibernian hal
TWenty-third and n streets, last nigh
DIT. McCrsnn delivered an address, whic
WAS well received. n then there was