Omaha daily bee., 1906-05-01

ANulh NNA me Ms RnRNAHs
But I have filed A." said Mr.. Stewart
"and don't care what you do with it
now"
"wen. this Is just what I will do with |
IT," replied Judge Waters, and he there
upon seized the paper, tore It In half and
then proceeded to reduce II to simple ele-
ments. And l want to warn you, Judge /
Stewart that you cannot address this
court in so disrespectful a manner"
Printing Firms in Combine.
Developments since the opening of bids
for state printing last Saturday indicate
pointedly that the Omaha and Lincoln big
firms which filed bids were in a combine
TO secure the work at high prices. In a
burst of confidence Saturday night Tim
sedgwick Of York told the story of the COM
bine and as proof of his statement dis
played his original bids which he brought
with him from York, and on the same
paper, written with pen and ink, was the
bids fixed for him at a conference of the
big printers. These combine bids were In
some instances 100 per cent higher than the
bids which Sedgwick had himself prepared.
The State Journal company was the low
est bidder only on one job. that Of re-
printing the supreme court reports, seven
volumes The Journal bid 81 cents a page
plates and the Journal will only have to the
work and furnish the paper. This job
will amount to between 5000 and 5000.
Inasmuch as the combine Is so apparent,
however, there is little doubt but that
the printing board will turn down this
bid, and falling to get the work done
cheaper in the state IL will have to be done
elsewhere.
The members Of the board feel that Claim
and Howard will be unable to do all the
work on which their bids were the lowest,
but the evidence of the combine is so strong
the board may lend every possible as
sistance to these small firms so they can
deliver the goods.
1t is not improbable also that criminal
proceedings will be started against the
State Journal North g. Co, Benton Bros,
Gillespie & Phillips Woodruff-Collins and
the Klopp- Bartlett company. Benton Bros.
had in only one bid on the big stun, but 1t
was the lowest bid of any of the big con-
Germs and as the firm signed the protest
against allowing Clahin to withdraw his
bids, the firm will be made a defendant
should proceedings be started.
It is reliably stated none of the firms
which had in bids will assist Claim and
Howard on their Jobs Without outside
help it will be impossible for these firms
/ to do the work, as each has a small plant,
| but the board is in sympathy with them,
and it may be some other small firms will
volunteer to help them at a reasonable
profit, and the big firms will not have the
| satisfaction of seeing them ruined finan-
/ caly, as, of course, when they sign the
contract to do the work they will be COM
PEELED to file bond to insure the state
Members Of the printing board intend to
take the matter up with the legal depart
ment of the state to see IL proceedings
cannot be started.
Meters Sentence COMMITTED.
Governor Mickey this afternoon COM
muted the sentence of Frank Meters, SEN
fenced to the penitentiary for one year on
a charge of stealing sheep. The trial judge
and others asked that his sentence be
shortened. Attached to the Communication
drink any intoxicating liquors, and a fail
ure on his part to live up to the pledge
means the suspension OF his communication.
providing such action could be taken.
Nebra ska Companies Lose Little.
None OF the Nebraska Insurance COM
panies were hard hit by reason of the San
I Francisco earthquake and fire. This morn
ing Insurance Deputy Pierce received a
report from the following companies show
ing how much they were liable for by rea-
son OF the calamity: Farmers and Mer-
chants, net liability $1,000. The Nebraska
Underwriters had liability Of $3.50 Of rein
surance. The State Insurance company OF
Omaha carried two risks, amounting TO
$3.50. This company has not yet been in
formed whether its risks were destroyed,
but the official presumes such Is the case
and counts that much money gone.
Railroad Tax Case Hearing.
The taking of testimony in the case
wherein the Union Pacific Railroad COM
pany is seeking by injunction proceedings
TO prevent the state from collecting its
1905 taxes was begun this morning in the
senate chamber before Special Examiner
Charles Pearsall. With the exception OF
State Auditor searle, who is out of the
city, all of the members of the State Board
of Assessment Of 1906, together with Sec
rotary George Bennett. were examined.
In all instances the testimony was the
same. Governor Mickey, Secretary OF
State Galusha, Treasurer Mortensen and
Land Commissioner Eaton each testified
the board had taken into consideration the
value of the stocks and bonds Of the COM
pany, the net earnings and the physical
property in arriving at the value of the
road in Nebraska Each said the board
had not been Influenced by POLITICS or any
public clamor for an increase In the roads
assessment. Edison Rich and r. J. Clancy
appeared for the Union Pacific and Attor-
ney General Brown for the state. Mr.
Rich will cross-examine the witnesses al
a later date yet to be fixed.
Line Pays Small Return.
The Sioux City & Western branch OF tho
Willmar & Sioux Falls railroad filed It's
report with the State Board Of Assess
ment this morning. This road extends into
Nebraska for a distance of l2s miles and
1t earned in this state every mile OF it's
road during the year 1905 the sum Of SSSlt
above all its expenses. Its gross earnings
amounted to S236, SSH and net earnings
S1O,7S3.7S Its operating expenses amounted
to S225. s51.sS. The board will meet next
Monday TO begin the work of placing a
value upon the different roads.
Lieutenant Pulls Recovering.
Lieutenant Pulls. the old university boy
who was reported fatally hurt at sar
Francisco by the explosion OF a bomb. Il
now out Of danger. This information wa
conveyed In a telegram received today by
General Culver from General Greedy. COM