Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-08-10
FIFTY HEADS Topped OFF
EmplOyes Under City Engineer Discharged
By kctisp Of Council.
nTTER WANTS TO PUT IN NEW ONES
Trick In the Interest of Politics
aRd Not Reduction of
Expenses for the
Taxpayers.


All of1cers and employees OF the asphalt,
sewer and inspection departments were
laid OF and discharged by City Engineer
Rosewater Thursday morning because the
council refused either 20 confirm list
of appointees or to sanction temporary
employment of the present force pending
investigation OF the names submitted.
About hfty men felt the chill edge of the
axe on their necks. The engineer declared
the council was wholly responsible, as the
Law ala not permit him TO retain them at
work without specific approval by the leg
islativs and executive departments.
The asphalt repair forces were pulled or
the Job Of resurfacing the intersection at
Eleventh and Jackson streets, the work
being sbout half done. This force could
have been retained only a week longer at
the bast. owing to the exhaustion Of funds.
The expert workmen. got together by the
city after much effort, immediat ely an
nounoed their intention Of going to work
for paving companies meaning that the
city has to quit asphalt repairing on any
considerable scale, with money for a full
weeks work remaining in the treasury.
The sewer gangs knocked of employment
on Q number of jobs being done at the
orders OF the council. Damage or losses
viii Be regulated by the rainfall
inspectors Called on.
Tia inspectors employed on paving, side
walk and sewer work were called OF and
the department forced to carry on the
best supervision possible by means of the
ONCE force.
The council showed no disposition to
scrutinize the appointments or to hurry the
confirmation Of those to which there are no
objection. Councilmen said most Of the as
phalt and sewer men named are satisfactory
10 the council, but a number Of the inspec-
tors are not.
The real reason for the fight on the engi-
neeF in the matter Of appointments lies in
the fact that the council wants to clean out
the ONCE force employed and put in other
men. The engineer maintains that he does
not have to submit the names Of engineers,
draughtsmen, clerks, bookkeepers and stem
Ographers to the mayor and council for APP
proval and will not do so. The council
takes the opposite view. II has obtained q
weapon to antagonize the engineer in the
sewer, asphalt and inspection department
appointments. which even the tyro in poll
tics could not fail to see the advantage Of.
Hence the refusal Of the council to approve
men against whom it has no objections
VIII Not Have spOIIs System.
81 shall not permit this department to be
disrupted and turned over to the spoils sys-
tenn says tho engineer. ut has never
been run so and it will not be now. I have
the right under the law to select my imme-
diate assistants in my Office without the in
reference of mayor or council, and this
shall do 1 asked the council yesterday to
adopt the following resolution, which would
have kept public work going for the pres
ent, but it declined:
That until action shall be taken by the
city council on the appointments submitted
by the city engineer on Tuesday evening
August T. the employees of the sewer and
asphalt repair departments be continued
upon such work as has been directed and
authorized TO be done by the city council
at the wages heretofore prevailing.
81 am sick and tired OF this warfare with
the council, but do not propose to surren
der my rights nor to jeopsrdize myself OF
my bondsmen by keeping these employees
at work without the sanction Of the mayor
and council. They will remain or unit
they are confirmed. I do not wish TO b,
arbitrary about selecting the men and wan
only employees who will be able to do tn,
work assigned them and are faithful anC
honest. Suggestions from the council alonl
the line of making selection would be vel
come to me-"