Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-07-11
CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
NoGovsrn, johnson and Bridges Attack the
Asphalt Repair Plant
SCHEME TO DESTROY ITS usefulness
Apparent Effort 10 Get Another Place
cor Democrat Means the End
of the City's Effort TO
DO the work.

n Following the disclosure OF newspaper
campaign 60 put Omaha's municipal as
sHst repair plant out Of existence a des-
perate blow Al the institution was attempted
by Councilmen McGovern. johnson and
Bridges at last nights meeting OF the city
council II was blocked by hard work on
the part OF Iimman and Funkhouser. who
showed IN the meaning OF an ordinance
proposing 20 put the plant in the full charge
~ a general foremsn, In getting the pro-
posed ordinance placed on file ZnIman had
"a caustic brifsh with Elsasser, who was
presiding temporarily. The latter was
forced to comply with parliamentary USAGE
only by the expressed intention of ma
iority Of the countIlfnen to appeal from his
ruling against Humans motion.
Back Of this well designed scheme to de-
stroy the usefulness Of the citys paving
iepair plant is the underlying appetite of
the democratic majority in the council for
patronage. The foreman Of the work at
present. under direction OF the city engi-
neer, Is a republican. employed by the en-
gineer and confirmed by the late council
who can not be disturbed by the present adj
ministrstion. II the McGovern ordinance
goes through. Il means that Harry Cowdu-
roy will walk the plank and some good
democrat will get the job. The incidental
destruction OF the paving repair plant as a
serviceable Institution means nothing TO the
democrats who are hungry for pie"
Defect In the Ordinance.
The charter requires that ordinances Gre
ating new Offices shall be preceded by a
resolution declaring the necessity OF the
ONCE. to be published several weeks be-
fore the ordinance is introduced. This
forinslity was entirely overlooked by Nc
Govern. His ordinance proposed to arrange
at once that the mayor appoint a general
foreman for the asphalt plant, at a salary
left blank, TO be approved by the council,
the foreman to have full charge OF said
asphalt repair plant and all repair work
done by said plant as directed by the
g mayor and council" AZ II to contradict
itself the measure said the city engineer
should have general supervision" but II
was provided that all employees Of the in
stitution be appointed by the general fore
man and provided by the council and should
be wholly under the foreman's. direction.
AS soon as the document was under
stood zlmman was on his feet pointing out
that II was In distinct violation OF the
charter which vests entire supervision and
f-aontrol OF the asphalt plant and the nam.
hg Of its lofficers and employees in the
'S&pgineeT subject to approval by the coun-
ell. He asserted that the plant repre-
sented onahas first venture into municipa
ownership and that It must surely fail Il
authority were divided. He explained tn,
obvious necessity OF having a single compe
tent and authoritative head. i'm detail.
FunIkhouser's Defense of Plant.
zimman's arguments were supported i'm
medately by Funkhouser who said he hat
inspected the engineering department anC
had found everything there handled prop
erly. especially the asphalt plant. He sait
records of the latter were kept in a com
plete and admirable way and that a triI
to the office would convince anyone tina
the plant is being managed properly.
McGovern took occasion 10 sayagely at
tack amman personally in 80 incoherent q
fashion that IL was difficult TO perceive hi
meaning. He said among other things tina
no did not propose to let Zimman dictate
the policy of democratic council He crit
icised him for attacking members of tn
past council because their families wer
panied thereby. While zimman was mayor
Mr.. McGovern detained. he had neve
asked for a single report from a pawnsho
or the police court, neglecting to state II
what way the executive is required 4
do these things. Mr. McGovern illustrates
his speech with an imitation OF hors
stepping high and heavily but even wit
these aids was unable to make himsel
clear
Zimman ArOuses E1snsser.
Zimman, after remarking that he wa
unequal to fathoming the gems OF elo
quence and wisdom contained in the Nc
1 Govern outburst returned to the question 4
hand and again denounced the ordinance
which he said would destroy disciplln
among the employees. He contended tina
consideration of the ordinance In any wa
was out OF order. He moved to place
on file and Jackson seconded the motor
but Elsasser temporary president wa
bent on referring It to a committee. Tin
man insisted that his motion be put {
the house. Elsasser refused to do so. Zim
man declared that he would DO 20.
''1'm boss here" shouted Elsasser. pound
ing wildly with his gavel. "rll show 20
that you can't run this council"
II don't pretend to be boss here" r.