Omaha daily bee., 1906-09-11
LIGHT CONTRACT HELD UP
Council Discusses 1t for Two Hours, but
Takes No Action.
DEBATE At TIMES BECOMES PERSONAL
Major Richmond, chief of Police. and
Councilman Knudsen Also Ex-
change Torrid Compliments
over Dump Patrol.

For some reason OF another the city -coun-
Gil was not ready to take action on the
proposed lighting contract with the Citi-
Gems Gas and Electric company and the
matter went over until next Monday night
The proposed contract, however, did not
go over without discussion. In fact about
two hours were devoted TO a discussion OF
IT, Every member OF the council had his
say, as did several citizens from the lobby.
The main objections raised last night
against the proposed contract was that
the rate to be charged for arc lights is
greater than that paid In Omaha Council
man Wallace led the objections on this
point and was seconded by Mayor Macrae.
A. c. Keller, president of the West Coun-
ell Bluffs Improvement club, spoke on the
same lines against the contract, as did
former Councilman Boyer. who at different
times occupied the floor the greater por-
ton Of the discussion. Boyer accused the
committee of having the contract die
tated'' to them and 10 this Councilman
MaIoney took exception, as did City So
licitor Kimball. At this point the dis
cussion became somewhat personal and
for a while IT looked as IL there might be
some pyrotechnics. but Mayor Macrae
averted the impending storm by suggesting
to the clerk to proceed to the next order
OF business.
A statement by Fire Chief Jones through
the columns Of local paper relative to
Mayor Macrae's charges regarding the prize
money won at Clinton and other matters
in connection with the same were at the
request of the mayor referred to the COM
mittee on fire and light for Investigation.
Attorney Crofoot of Omaha appeared be-
fore the council again relative to the con-
~ IF lab M he
raising of the street in that vicinity to
protect the land there. He asked the city
to bear part OF the expense, amounting to
about $500. and the matter was referred
to the committee Of the whole, which will
, meet this afternoon and look over the
ground In company with Mr.. Crofoot.
The request Of property owners that the
six foot cement walk on the north side of
Pierce street between Glen avenue and
| Blur street be stricken from the sidewalk
contract as not necessary was granted.
The council heard from the dredge
again. Property owners in the vicinity Of
where it is moored in the creek notified
the council that they would sue for dam
ages unless IL was removed forthwith. II
was said that Contractor wickham was
merely removing the dredge and not the
wooden structure on which II was. Coun-
Gilman Smith was selected to take the mat
ter. up with, wickham.
The opening of bids for laying sidewalks
was postponed until the next regular meet
| ing. sr-
f, Major Richmond. chief Of police, who was
not present at the former meeting when
the bill for the pay OF the dump patrol
was brought up, made a statement relative
to the same In which he declared that he
had appointed the special officer ON the or
! der of Councilman Knudsens The council
| man from the Fourth ward denied in toto
Major Richmonds assertion. and for a
brief period while the two exchanged cour-
tesies the mercury in the Thermometer
raised several degrees. As the bill had
been ordered paid there was nothing more
/ to do about H.. so the matter was finally
dropped. "i