Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-03
AFFAIRS AT SOUTH OMAHA
City Council Decides to Fight the Bond
Mandamus Suit.
FINANCE COMMITTEE GIVEN AUTHORITY

NANSA aHHNN ~
Meeting the Demand that He
sign and Deliver the Re-
funding Issue.
A meeting Of the city council was held
last night with all members present and
Mayor Koutsky in the chair. While quite
an amount OF business was transacted,
there was little Of public interest done
About the most important action was a
motion by Welsh relating to the $40, 900
bond deal. Welsh suggested that the
finance committee be authorized and EN-.
powered to take such Steps as in its judg-
ment may be necessary to safeguard the
interests OF the city in the matter OF the
mandamus proceedings in the district
court brought by c. Devin Oldheld. This
action was brought to compel the city
authorities to sign an issue of refunding
bonds on the grounds that an alleged con-
tract exists. The motion was adopted and
the committee will now go ahead and fight
the proposition through the courts.
The claim OF Mary Nestor, filed by her
husband for IS 5000, was referred to the city
attorney without any m
A petition signed by a dozen or more
citizens was read concerning the alleged
dangerous condition Of the street and side
walks on Missouri avenue from Fifteenth
to Sixteenth streets. The city engineer
was instructed to make an inspection and
report.
Welsh OF the judiciary committee re-
ported on the old stock inspection ordi-
nance. The report was adverse and the
recommendation was made that another
ordinance be substituted. This was done
and the new ordinance was read for the
first time. The new ordinance is quite
different from the old one in many re-
spects. II provides for a bond nt 50. 900
and a salary Of $50 a month, along with q
lot more things.
Five grading ordinances were given the
first reading and referred to the judiciary
committee.
By motion City Engineer Beal was in
structed to act as building inspector until
further notice and to see to 1t that permits
for buildings to be erected were properly
issued.
After the appropriation sheet for Feb
ruary had been passed the council adjourned
for one week.
Howe Must Serve.
According to the way members Of the
Library board interpret the charter, City
Treasurer Howe must serve as custodian
Of the library funds. Under the city law
he is treasurer of the fund allotted by the
city for library purposes, and this is con-
sidered to mean that the Carnegie library
money must be placed in the hands Of the
city treasurer. At the present time the
city treasurer is under a bond Of $3.50, 900,
and II any additional bond is required to
take care of the Carnegie fund the Library
board will have to pay the premium. 1t
is expected that this difficulty will be
settled some time this week, and then the
draft will be sert east for the first in
stallment Of the payments to be made.
Seeking Information.
Alderman job B. Mcguire of the Third
ward, Nashua, N. H., writes to City Clerk
Shrigley asking for information regarding
the pay and emoiuments Of the chief of
police Of South Omaha. The alderman also
wants to know IL there is any ordinance
regarding the speed Of electric cars in
force here. AS for the first question, the
clerk answered that the chief here re-
ceived 500 a month and that he is per,
mitted to collect so cents for each prisoner
taken to the county Jail. AS for the speed
OF electric cars within the city limits, Mr..
Mcguire was informed that there is no
NN.@AN ~ OhN " II IuGH1@
bers Of the council. who was in the clerks
ONCE at the time the answer to this letter
was being dictated, remarked that what is
more needed is an ordinance compelling
the cars to run faster than they do now
instead Of trying to regulate their high
speed.
People Getting Interested.
Business men in all parts Of the city
ira nafffnn fnNnaA.NAl l. $500
meeting to be called soon by the mayor
for the purpose Of devising ways and LIeans
for paving Railroad avenue. Since It has
become known that the government is Sc
riously considering the advisability OF ma
cadamizing the lower road. from the south
ern limits of the city to Fort Crook, inter-
est has increased. 1t is expected that
when the date is set for the meeting the
council m will be crowded with busl-
ness men who are DESTROYS OF seeing a
good road to Fort Crook and Bellevue.
Board of Education
There was nothing doing at the Board of
Education meeting last night. All Of the
members were present. but all appeared
to be tame as kittens and the reported
sensations did not materialize. AS was to
be expected. Laverty made a complaint
about the painting bills. In spite of this
protest, one-half OF the bill was allowed
and the other half was held up pending
an investigation.
AS for the coal bill, which was brought
up by Morrill, OF the finance committee.
Miller, president OF the board. stated that
at the time the board bought walnut
block coal at $40, purchasing agents for
the packers were running all over the two
Omahas trying to buy the sam grade OF
coal for $3.50. The latter price was paid
by packers for shipments Of coal during
the famine here.
Aside from these two disputed claims
there was little done. although the ses-
sion lasted until past the usual hour. An
other meeting will be held on March 16.
Magic City Gossip.
Anthracite cCai Is now being sold nv
local dealers for 81 a ton.
A son has been born TO Mr.. and Mrs.
Henry Wagner, Fourteenth end jackson
streets.