Omaha daily bee., 1906-04-08
WICKHAM TO DIG The DITCH
Property Owners Involved Ask to Have Oh 4
Contract Revived.
BOARD ACTS FAVORABLY ON THE MATTER
Supervisor Brandes Issues state
ment showing How Purchase of
Poor Farm Has saved
Money for County.

wic<ham & company will carry out their
contract awarded them in 1903 for the con-
struction of the Pigeon creek ditch. Prop
erty owners who will be benefited by the
proposed drainage ditch are extremely an
xious that there should be no further delay
In commencing work and they and Wick
ham & company have come to terms and
at yesterdays session of the board of
county supervisors both the promoters and
Wickham g. company appeared by their
attorneys and requested that the board
recognize the original contract with Wick
ham & company. After some discussion
the board rescnded its recent action DE-
claring the wickham contract cancelled
and ordering the county auditor to re-
advertise for new bids. Attorney Organ
appeared for wickham 8 company and the
promoters and others interested in the
itch were represented by former County
Attorney Killpack.
The board adopted a resolution declaring
that the work of construction Of the ditch
must be completed by January l, 1907 pro-
vided, however, that in the event of delay
in commencement of the work. caused by
failure of the engineer in charge to COM
plete the preliminary work before May l.
then the time for the completion of the
tended. The board by resolution further
directed that wickham g. company should
proceed with the work without unneces-
sary delay. 1t was stated that wickham
& company were prepared to commence
work as soon as the engineer set the stakes
and laid out the route Of the ditch.
The contract awarded Wickham & comp
any in 1903 provided for the payment of
141k cents per cubic yard and 1t could not
be learned yesterday whether under the
agreement reached between the company
and the promoters, this price was still to
be in force or whether Wickham & comp
any had consented to do the work at
lower figure.
Must Pay for Mistake.
The Marine & Elkhorn Telephone comp
any petitioned the board for a reduction in
it's tax assessment It having reported to
the state executive council by mistake a
mileage Of four miles in place Of two miles.
The assessment having been fixed by the
state executive council, the board decided
it had no Jurisdiction.
The report of the county treasurer for
- F~~t quarter of the year showed that
the fees Of the office were 1929, while a
similar report from the county auditor
showed the fees of that Office for the same
period had been S2sS75. The quarterly re-
port Of Sheriff Canning showed fees taxed,
S,22223; fees collected. $sSS.Ol; mileage,
$500; due county, $s19O1; balance due
sheriff for salary and one deputy for
quarter, $736.
The report of County Recorder Baird for
the first quarter showed 225s instruments
filed, for which the fees amounted to
8, 52910 and by months as follows January,
go filings fees, $500: February, $50 filings,
feer s457.SO: March. 800 filings, fees. $659S0.
The board adjourned to next Tuesday
afternoon.
Poor Farm Statement.
Henry c. Brandes of the Board Of
County Supervisors, who is chairman of
the committee in charge of the county
farm, yesterday Issued the following state
ment regarding that institution in order
| that the taxpayers of Pottawattame
county might understand the saving to the
county by having such place to care for
| its poor:
For the information Of the taxpayers
| of Pottawattamie county and to show ex-
| actly what the results have been from the
! county farm method of providing for the
county's dependent poor, l desire to call
( your attention to the following comparison
] between the amount paid out by the
: county for the support Of its poor in 1903
! cost of caring for them in 1895, the first
full year of the farm management:
Total cost of poor in 1908 .....,,.., $50, $50 90
Net cost of poor farm, 1906. 81, S22.43
Expense OF poor outside
| poor farm ................... b,6S4. 81