Omaha daily bee., 1903-02-17
CALL UNION PACIFIC TO TIME
Council Takes Action on Abandon
ment of the City as
Terminus.

The action of the Union Pacific in prac-
tically abandoning the Transfer depot as
its terminal by changing it's crews and
making up its trains in Omaha instead Of
on this side of the river as heretofore was
called to the attention of the city council
last night in a communication from General
Test and the council decided to lay the
whole matter before Congressman Smith.
Alderman Mcdonald, who presided in the
absence OF Mayor Morgan, stated that the
matter was also in the hands of the execu-
tive committee of the Commercial club.
The gradual deprivation by the Union Pa
cihc OF the terminal advantages. 1t was
contended, was an evil and injury to Coun-
Gil Bluffs and that steps ough to be taken
to have the railroads charter forfeited for
failure to comply with its provisions, the
principal one OF which is that the terminus
should be in Council Bluffs.
The judiciary committee, through Alder
man Lougee. reported that the city's
claim against former Street Commissioner
Taylor amounted to $136. 1t is alleged that
sixty eight receipts for poll tax we're is
sued by Taylor for which the city received
nothing in return. In making the report
Alderman Lougee said he did not wish
to accuse Taylor of appropriating this
money, but the committee certainly was OF
the opinion that through some ones fault
the city was loser to this amount. Taylor
has deposited 800 in a bank to meet any
shortage and there is one months salary,
amounting to $65, due him, so the city
is amply protected. The city solicitor was
instructed to effect a settlement of the
matter with Taylor.
City Solicitor Snyder reported that owing
! to some changes which were desired, the
conduit ordinance affecting the telegraph,
electric light and motor companies would
not be ready until the next meeting of
the council.
The petition Of the members of the po-
! lice department that their salaries be
raised to the schedule existing before the
reduction in 1892. was referred to the COM
mittee Of the whole. The patrolmen ask
that their pay be raised from $50 to $65
a month and that of the captain from $65
to So The chief is satisfied with his
salary.
Ed Sherlock was granted permission to
conduct a saloon at 532 Broadway in the
building recently erected by the Omaha
Brewing company on the site Of the old
Nonpareil building.
City Solicitor Snyder, to whom 1t has
been referred, gave it as his opicion that
there was nothing in the statutes which
made the city liable for the cost OF pub
fishing the notices of registration. He
was of the opinion that the expense should
be borne by the county and on his recon-
mendation the council declined to pay the
bill of the Globe Publishing company.
which had been turned down by the county
board. The matter was referred back to the
city solicitor, with the recommendation
that steps be taken to determine the
county or city's liability in the premises.
The petition of Alexander Wood that the
city taxes on twenty acres within the city
limits be cancelled as the land was held
for agricultural purposes only was favor
ably acted on upon recommendation OF the
judiciary committee. The committee, how
ever. reported adversely as to Woods re-
quest that he be refunded the taxes he
had paid for four years back on the
grounds that he had paid them without
protest. similar petition from John C.
Book who owns thirteen acres within the
city limits and claimed to be used for ag-
ricultural purposes only, was referred to
the judiciary committee.
The appointment Of ]. McAllister by City
Assessor Everest as one Of his deputies was
confirmed.
Margaret Cramer filed notice Of a claim
for $4,000 for injuries alleged to have
been received on the night of December
20 last by stepping into a hole on Fourth
street between Ninth and Tenth avenues.