Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-07-25
CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
Andrew ROsswatsr Accepted as City En-
ginesr With Poor Grace
STREET RAILWAY TRANSFER ORDINANCE
Measure satisfactory 90 COmpany
Knocked Ont as Not Coming
Up 20 the Universal
Transfer idea.

Transfer idea.
No action with reference TO City Engineer
Rosewater's contention that he Is entitled
to hold over the ofice was taken by the
city council last night, but communications
and recommendations from the engineer
we're received and acted on and laborers
for the sewer and asphalt departments sub
mitted by him were approved. Though
some disposition was shown to make diff
culties over his bond. the council seemed
disposed to let the matter rest where IL IT,
BY accepting communications from the
official II presumed that his claim to
the engineership was recognized
His bond had been approved by a Judge
OF the district court and merely filed with
the city clerk who nevertheless brought 1t
before the council Bridges Brucker and
McGovern were insistent that the bond be
not accepted, but Zlmman raised the point
Of order that the document, upon which
the American Bonding company appears
as surety, was not proper matter for
consideration as the letter accompanying
it showed Mr. Rosewater's purpose was
simply to file 1t with the clerk. After dis
cussion President johnson sustained zim-
mans argument and the question was ruled
of the course.
ImpIacabIes at Work.
Later when a communication was re-
ceived from the engineer to the effect that
he had reappointed George w. Craig as
assistant city engineer 1--WE councilmen tried
to adopt a resolution refusing TO confirm.
1t was pointed out that the charter makes
this form unnecessary. but Bridges, Han
sen, McGovern and johnson refused to ap-
prove Craigs bond, succeeding as only ten
councilmen were present. This will not
hamper the latter as he can have the
omission rectiied by district court judge
in the manner followed by his chief.
Just after he had ruled the point Of order
in Zmmans favor President johnson called
the former presiding officer to the chair
and entrusted the gevel to him during
most Of the session. Zimman the sole
publican member, was surprised to find
himself on the stand where he stood three
years. this time directing a democratic
body. He dispatched routine business with
great speed and in manner generally
satisfactory to his associates.
EIsasSer's Latest Curve.
The initiative and referendum law may
become an operating factor in the NUM-
cipal government of Omaha If Councilman
ordinance for the purpose OF having the city
formally accept the law. Until this is done
the statute does not apply to any munich
pality No debate was awakened by the
measure. which was referred to the judici-
airy committee. II the ordinance is passed
1t will open the doors TO a whole catalogue
of things.
street Railway Transfers.
Bridges and Zimman assisted by Hansen
and johnson, succeeded in defeating the
ordinance requiring the street railway
company to grant transfers at specified
points, contending that 1t was not OF uni
versal' application, and while a forward
step did not go far enough. Sheldon and
Bruclter said the ordinance went as far as
possible and still prevent passengers from
making round trips, but Bridges declared
that such contingencies could be- met by
the company by the issuance of
different colored transfer slips and other
precautions. 1t took seven votes to pass
the ordinance and only six voted for It,
Councilmen Jackson and Funkhouser being
absent. Bridges has universal" transfer
ordinance in the hands of a committee.
which he will try to have passed.
Some of Zimman's utterances about the
matter and the attitude Of the street rail-
way company towards the public were APP
plauded. Councilmen on the railways conf
mittee admitted that street railway officials
had assisted them in compiling the ordi-
nance and that It was satisfactory to
them.
New City Laws.
The ordinance requiring the Weighing or
measuring OF all fuel ice and foodstuffs
sold by weight or measure, the giving OF
the full purported quantity and holding
both employer and employe responsible un-
der the penalty Of fines was passed. The
same happy fate met the law creating the
office Of second assistant attorney at a
salary of 5000 year.
City Engineer Rosewater suggested in
writing TO the mayor and council that for
tho purpose OF promoting general public in
terests a Joint meeting Of the executive,
I councilmen and heads Of departments be
! held TO counsel mutually and to dissent
nate Information about public funds. needs
and service that full understanding may
be reached for the good OF the city; to
eradicate false impressions, bring about
economical management and a good admin
istration. The letter was received. but no
action taken.
| Expert Accountant Accepted.
The mayors appointment OF John NJ. Gill
christ at $3.50 a day to examine and audit
the city's financial accounts for two years
back was approved His honor sent in
the name Of w, ]. Cornell for city pros
eoutor as an alternate to that OF r. f,
Lee and the council turned Il down, az
| usual
Treasurer Fink reported that for the pur.
chase of 100000, twenty-four 4 per cent
sewer renewal bonds, he had received but
three bids and one of these for less than
par, Rhoades & CO, Of New York offered
tSs for the Issue; the City Savings bank
Of Omaha, 500, and Rollins q Co, OF Chi
cagO 1900 less than face value, The treas,
urer recommended the acceptance OF the
highest bid, but the council referred tn,
matter 20 the general committee for con,
sideration, This is one OF the most disap
pointing bond sales the city has held II
years.
COuncIImantc Pulls Weak.
Councilman Brucker started something
by raising an unanswered inquiry as L
why councilmen could not succeed IN get
ting men on the street commissioner pa,
roll, He said he doubted II single coun
Gilman had "a man in the street gangs
! Davis pleadad guilty To having onA bu