Omaha daily bee., 1903-05-10
URGE COUNTY BOARD TO ACT
Citizens Plead to Have So Called scavenger
Law Enforced at Once,
TREASURER tLSAssER is NOT READY
He Says Il Will Re Impossible TO Get
the Books in shape to Begin
Suit on or Before
July i.

When the county commissioners met yes
terday there was an Informal assemblage
of real estate dealers, representatives OF
wholesale houses, bankers, members of the
last legislature and property owners pres
emit to make a showing as to the import
ance Of immediate enforcement Of the So
called scavenger law, which has for its
purpose the bringing OF an omnibus law
suit In the district court against owners
Of real estate In the county upon which
taxes have been delinquent for a term of
years.
The matter was discussed Mt length by
a number Of those present. including H..
w. Gates, Judge woolworth, w. G. Ure.
H. w. Pennock, A. p. Turkey, E. Rosewater
and w. S. Poppleton. Treasurer Elsasser
said that It would be practically impossible
to have the tax books brought up in the
form demanded by the act in time to bring
action this year. Mr.. Pennock said that
the order of the board for the enforcement
OF the law would have to be annual, but
thought hat men enough could be put to
work to have the books OF the county
treasurer in shape to bring the action by
July 1.
Mr.. woolworth said the first step should
be taken this year, even though the case
could not be brought in court, and this po-
S@SA 49, me " OAAACAEs hO Sdlu TIC
moral effect OF a resolution by the board to
enforce the law would be beneficial as
many persons would pay their taxes in or
der to avoid suit.
Explains h law.
Mr.. Pennock the author Of the bill, ex-
planned its terms fully. and said that all
expense from the enforcement OF the act
would be returned directly to the county
through the collection of a docket fee of
50 cents before decree and of 81 after de-
cree.
In the discussion It was brought out that
It would not be possible under the law to
bring action against part of the property
upon which delinquent taxes may be due,
but that all such property must be on the
books when they become part of the pc
tition in the case.
COMMISSIONS O'Keeffe asked what steps
had been taken to bring the city property
of South Omaha upon the books for the
collection Of delinquent taxes. and while he
generally favored the enforcement of the
law he believed that he would like to con-
sui the South Omaha people before taxi
ing action.
There were only three members of the
board present, Commissioner Harte and
Connolly being absent. and the matter
went over informally at the morning ses-
sion.
Sheriff Power notified the commissioners
that A. ]. Sloup had been appointed TALLER.
and furnished a list OF the special deputies
appointed on account of the strike.
Ripple Over brakes Bill.
Commissioner O'KeeFe put a little ginger
into the proceedings before the adjourn
ment OF the board yesterday, and in
dentally held up the warrants of three
persons who have performed services for
the county. A claim from r. c.. Drake,
bridge contractor, for 81, 770.o1, based upon
an estimate of the county engineer, was
presented. Hofeldt and Mcdonald voted
to allow tho bill. o'Keene voted against It.
The chairman declared the hill allowed.
and oKeens raised the point of order
that before a claim Is allowed II must re-
ceiVe the vote of a majority OF
the board ana the present bill received less
than q legal majority. His point was over
ruled ana he then notified the county clerk
not to issue the warrant until the expira-
ton of ten days. After the meeting he
said that he had done this because the
work covered by the bill was an extension
Of the contract of r C. Drake. and he
wanted a majority Of the board to go on
record In the matter.
He made the same objections and held I'M
the warrants OF W. F. Flynn and J. A.
Walkup, who were employed on work on
Military road. basing his objections upon
the ground that the work had not been
authorized by the board.
The board adjourned until Monday morn
Ing, when the scavenger act will be given
further consideration and the county treas
urer Will make final decision as to his
ABILITY to prepare the books in time