Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-09-23
AFFAIRS At SOUTH OMAHA
Misunderstanding Again Ties Up the
Missouri Avenue Faviug.
CONTRACTOR WANTS WEEKLY ESTIMATES
james PIvonka brings Action co
Enjoin the Execution of the
General sewer Con-
tracts.

Missouri avenue is in for another chapter
in its checkered career. The work has
again ceased by order OF Contractor Hugh
Murphy During the last week no work
has been done because Of the heavy rains,
but IT now appears that the contractor
evidently expected another estimate from
the meeting OF the council of Thursday
evening. He called up the city clerk from
Lincoln during the afternoon and asked
II there was a warrant there for him. On
learning that there was none he appeared To
grow angry and said, Those fellows have
r program to carry out and they haven't
done II" The clerk replied that he knew
of no program. That's all right" said
Mr.. Murphy. they came and begged me
to begin the work and told me what they
would do I'm done 1 won't turn a
wheel"
The city engineer declared that over
5000 had been allowed for the paving
already. which was fully much as the
work done and in addition the value OF the
material which has been piled on the
ground He said: Mr. Murphy has had
every estimate he has asked for"
1t appears that there is an understanding,
tacit at least between the mayor and the
contractor to the effect that the latter was
TO receive weekly estimates, not only on
what work was actually done during the
week but also on what he intended to ac-
complish the following week. Perhaps It
is this feature which is troubling Mr..
Murphy at present. This could not be
verified as Mayor Hector left last night
for St.. Louis and will not be back for a
week.
The attitude of the council, as exhibited
on the presentation of tho three former
estimates, has indicated that they were not
well acquainted with the agreements which
were to insure the speedy pavement OF
Missouri avenue. Some of them have been
inclined to question whether or not the
estimates were not in excess of the work
done Efforts will be made to get a fair
understanding but the paving will prob
ably be hung up at least until the mayor
returns
Howe to Sue for salary.
E. L. Howe former city treasurer, has
announced his intention Of suing the city
for s11111. which amount represents to him
the alleged unpaid balance of salary due
him The bill arose in the final settlement
of the affairs of his Office preparatory to
retiring in favor of the democratic incumb-
emit Most of the new officials took their
offices about April II. but in the case of
! the treasurer, Mr.. Howe served in the
| office until April 30. on which date the
present treasurer receipted him for all the
funds in the treasury and afterward took
/ charge of the office. Previous to this date.
| though the deputy was in the office con-
stantly and the treasurer was there daily,
! Mr. Howe was the official incumbent, or
| so 1t is claimed by his attorney. His name
| was affixed to all tax receipts and other
| official papers requiring the signature of
the city treasurer On this he bases his
/ ~ Of
council allowed him $685. leaving a bal
ance of s11111. The council further al
/ lowed c. A. Melcher, the incoming treas
urer, the SILL IL, being the portion of the
! months salary due after April Is. MIR.
! Howe and his attorney are confident that
! they can collect the salary in question. II
| is a question in the minds of some as to
whether the city or the treasurer, Mr..
Melcher would, In that case. be the loser
/ by the transaction.
Sewer Contract Enjoined.
True to his promise James Pivonka yes
terday filed a petition in Judge Troups
court asking an order of court compelling
the city and the contractors on the sewer
proposition to appear and show cause why
a permanent injunction should not issue
to prevent them fulfilling the agreed con-
tracts. This action is similar to that which
80 long delayed the work on Missouri ave-
nue.. The reason a temporary restraining
| order was not asked is thought to be the
fact that the plaintiff would in that case
have to furnish heavy bond; but as ii Is
there is nothing but the court costs to be
guaranteed This action will have the eff
feet of delaying the contracts ua,I such
a time as the court is Convinced of ire
legality of the present contracts. This
may be tedious process of litigation. The
city attorney postponed his visit to St.
Louis yesterday and at once examined the
petition of the plaintiffs with view Of
filing a cross petition at the earliest pos
sible moment. There are many citizens ar
rayed on each eide of the controversy and
the action is 10 surprise. II is looked on
by the other side as (. positive habit" on
the part of some citizens.
More Carriers Needed.
Postmaster F. ]. Etter announces that
the increase OF the population of the city
has been so great and the consequent in
crease in the mails heavy that he has
applied for three additional carriers for the
city and an extra clerk for the branch at
the South Omaha Livestock exchange
building For several weeks the branch
at the exchange has been overcrowded and
sometimes the work has piled up. One
of the clerks from the main ONCE has
often been sent over 10 help relieve the con-
gestion. 1t has long been known that
the carrier service has been little short.
Amending Inspection Regulations.
The Bureau of Animal industry has re-
ceived ammendatory regulations covering
the meat inspections, providing for the ex-
animation and relabeling of all meat food
products 1t appears that different labels
will have TO be used for relabeling than
in the original labelling, The second amend
ment provides for the transportation OF
meats which are exempt from inspection
under the regulations, such meats
slaughtered by local butchers and farmers.
This rule applies when the meat is shipped
under the interstate commerce regulations
or to foreign market. These amendments
provide that the shipper shall make out
shipping certificate pronouncing the meat
to be sound. healthful and in all ways nj
for human food. duplicate must be sent
to the Department OF Animal Industry al