davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Los Angeles herald., 1906-06-23
Notice OF Public Work

Public notice is hereby given that at
it's meeting held on Monday, the 4th
day of June, 1906, the City Council
Ordinance, designated as Ordinance No,
12.773 (New series). declaring its inten-
ton TO order the following improve-
ment TO be made. to wit:
That
SEVENTEENTH STREET,
a public street Of the City OF Los An
geles, be opened to a width OF ifty feet.
nue., in said city.
Reference Is hereby made TO said Or
dinanoe, on file in the office OF the City
Clerk OF said city. for further particu-
lars.
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
OF the City of Los Angeles.
JAMES A. ANDERSON.
e-1s-27 lot President
Los Angeles herald., 1906-06-23
Notice Tor BId for school BuiIdinr

Notice is hereby given that the Board
OF Education of the City of Los Angeles
will receive bids for the construction
and completion of a four-room annex
to the Second street school build
street. S in the City OF Los Angeles
to be constructed In accordance with
plans and specifications on file In the
office OF the Secretary OF the Board, AIS
Chamber OF Commerce building. All
labor and material to be furnished and
excavations made by the contractor.
All bids must be accompanied by q
certified check for 10 per cent OF the
amount OF the bid, payable to the order
OF the Board OF Education. and must bo
sealed and filed with the Secretary, at
his onlice, on or before Monday, June
20, 1905, at AZ O'clock noon. at which
time. the bids viii be opened in public
by the Secretary
any or all bids.
Los Angeles. Cal. June IA. 1905.
6-l4-25 12t
Los Angeles herald., 1906-06-23
PusLIc ADVERTISING

certified check payable to the city
Treasurer of the city Of Los Angeles
for the full amount Of said bid, and no
said cash O or % check is enclosed there there
with; and the successful bidder must
deposit az least ten per cent of the
before said franchise will be struck of
to him, and IL he shall fail to make
such deposit Immediately his bid will
as void, and said franchise Will then
and there be again offered for sale to
the, bidder who shall make the highest
conditions as TO deposit as above mon
toned Said procedure will be had un-
TIL said franchise is struck off, sold
make Ro s9 dSo R66F of h9 fsa
ten per cent of the. amount of his bid,
as herein provided. Said successful
bidder 6iddt, shall, shall deposit with the CITY
the acceptance of his bid, the remain
ing ninety per cent of the amount
do Fo ibsn ana in sS case he 9r i falls to
made. will be forfeited and the award
Of said franchise will be void, and said
franchise will then and there, by said
to the highest bidder therefor. in the
same manner and under the same re-
strlctlons as hereinbefore provided,
and In case said bidder falls to deposit
with the City Clerk the remaining nine
" per cent of his bid within twenty
four hours after It's acceptance, the
award to him of said franchise will be
set aside. and the. deposit heretofore
made by him will be forfeited, and no
further proceedings for the sale of said
franchise will be had until the same
shall be readvertised for sale.
Notice is also hereby given that the
successful bidder for said franchise
must, within five days after said fran
chise is awarded to him or It, file with
the city Council bond running to said
city, in the penal sum Of fifty thousand
dollars, with at least two good and suf-
ficient sureties, to be approved by SAID
City Council, conditioned that said bid
der, shall we'll and truly observe, fulfill
and perform each. and every term and
condition of said franchise, and that In
case. Of any breach of condition of said
bond the whole amount of the penal
sum therein named shall be taken and
deemed to be lquidated damages. and
shall be recoverable from the principal
and sureties upon said bond. If said
bond be not 50 filed, the award of said
franchise will be set aside, and any
money paid therefor will be forfeited
H. ]. LELANDE,
6-21-30 lot City Clerk.
Los Angeles herald., 1906-06-23

IOE Atlu AOI ScnOOI
Notice is hereby given that the Board
of Education of the City of Los Angeles
will receive bids for the construction
and completion of a five-room addition
to the Cornwell street school building,
corner of Cornwell and Sheridan
streets, In the City OF Los Angeles,
to be constructed In accordance with
plans and specifications on file in the
office of the Secretary of the Board, AIS
Chamber of Commerce building. All
labor and material to be furnished and
excavations made by the contractor.
ortta Al 3 pios MI nus sor pe aoGoInpanieu con p$
amount OF the bid. payable to the order
OF the Board OF Education, and must be
sealed and filed with the Secretary, at
his office, on or before Monday. June
25, 1906, at 12 o'clock noon, at which
time the bids will be opened In public
by the Secretary.
The Board reserves the right 10 reject
any or all bids.
Los Angeles. Cal. June IA, 1906.
6-l4-25 12t
Los Angeles herald., 1906-06-23
Iona Beach Boulevard Tract

fine lots on the Pacific
between Los Angeles and
Long Beach. within 2 miles OF auditor
ium and ocean. Principal residence
streets of Long Beach run through this
tract. Prices 5000 up; "a cash, balance
/ and years SLACK-WALL CO., IL
Locust ave. Long Beach
Los Angeles herald., 1906-06-23

Everything you want you will find in
the classified pag0--a modern Oncyclos
media. One cent , word
Los Angeles herald., 1906-06-23

The Herald will sell you sS5 worth OF
records and GIVE you a six months
eubscription to. The Herald and q S26
Talk-o-Phone absolutely free.
Los Angeles herald., 1906-06-23

The Herald will sell you ss5 worth OF
records and GIVE you a six months
70 The Herald and q t26
Talk Phone absolutely frea.
Los Angeles herald., 1906-06-23

pverything. you want you wtll tlnd q
the classified page modern eneyeias
Rsdih one cent 4 NsCA
Los Angeles herald., 1906-06-23

BOARD or PUBLIC WORKS,
JAMES A. ANDERSON
6-1S-23 ct President
Omaha daily bee., 1906-03-25

He started in to place the city on a
cash basfs-that is, in a position where 1t
could pay money for current expenses with
out being compelled to issue interest bear
ing warrants. to be paid any old time that
was convenient. Not in a long time had
Omaha pretended to meet it's obligations
term Hennings energetic methods &C
complished the desired cash basis for a
period Of three months, thereby smashing
all existing records. This space of cash
liquidating time was increased steadily
each year until 1905. when for eight months,
or the greater part OF the year, a warrant
issued by the comptroller could be carried
across the hall and cashed and the practice
of registering warrants, which is neces-
sary to make them bear interest was for
that time abolished.
Besides saving the city the interest on
the warrants. the habit of promptly pay
ing taxes, which was brought about by
Hennings, resulted in large decrease in
delinquency interest on regular taxes For
instance, in 1900 the treasurer collected
SS2,oS4 personal taxes, accompanied by
s10.79O interest penalty, showing that a
large proportion was delinquent. In 1905
he collected $S26,7O5 in personal taxes and
only 1922 in interest During these six
years his methods resulted I'm the coIlec-
ton OF SIS, 401 more than the 90 per cent
limit of personal taxes. the limit being
that up to which warrants can be drawn
against funds until more than 30 per cent
OF the amount levied is actually in the
hands Of the city.
Omaha daily bee., 1906-03-25
Methods Copiea In other cItie..

The van method of enforcing the col
lection Of personal taxes originated with
Hennings in Omaha has been adopted in
San Francisco, Lincoln and other cities
On the face of it, one might suppose Hon
nings a cold, harsh and domineering sort
Of person. with no human side or kindly
attributes. Such a conception Of his char
acter is very erroneous. He has the whole
souled geniality OF the German race ana
there has never been an act in his atminls-
tration not tempered by consideration and
charity. He regarded the tax paying public
as he would lot Of children spelled by over
indulgence and who had to be taught new
habits. He determined TO use the van no
more than necessary as a warning
Usually It cluttered about the streets filed
with furniture and junk rented from
secondhand shops for the purpose but
the result was the same as though real
households had been despoiled, and the
clerks were rushed counting money. The
whole expenses for van hire during a six
years term was less than Sl0O.
When he tried the van on the ice trust
TO garner delinquent taxes and when he
threatened to collect back taxes on the
Union Pacific bridge. lots OF attention re-
suited. The Western union so feared the
van that II went into court and put its ap-
prehensions on record and got an Injunction
20 restrain Hennings from carting away
its telegraph instruments and batteries
Likewise the threatened seizure Of several
law libraries was utilized to excellent ad-
vantage. Very seldom was property ac-
tually seized Checkbooks beat the distress
warrants in execution and the deal was
called square
No levies ever were made until after the
delinquents had been called upon time and
again by personal tax collectors and re-
quested 70 pay. The installment plan was
always held open to hard up citizens and
every advantage extended them TO be good
Hennings often was the subject OF vio-
lent imprecatiOn and declarations against
his personal safety during his nrst term,
Omaha daily bee., 1906-03-25
Early Life ana schooling.

The story how a foreigner comes to this
country and rises in business and politics
is always interesting, because 1t has an
essence of striving and endeavor in 1t.
Hennings was born at Emden province of
Hanover. Germany, September l. 1882 and
therefore is As years old His father was
a business man, and this one of several
sons was given an academic education at
Gera, Saxony. Emerging from school at
the age of Is young Hennings went to
Holland where he had two brothers in
business, TO serve a cadetship in the Ium-
Der and grain business. Besides remaining
in the Netherlands two years. learning 4
great deal of practical experience and
making some money, Hennings succeeded
in winning the heart Of a Dutch maiden
and straightway married ner
From boyhood Hennings had an ad-
venturous turn of mind. His father had
spent a number Of years in South America
and the son. soon after marriage, was
filled with the wandering spirit. Some of
his old Emden friends had gone to the
states and some had settled in Nebraska
and all appeared to like 1t. Just before
reaching his majority. young wife in
charge, Hennings landed in New York.
where he stayed a few months and then
friends. His education had made him
fairly familiar with English and he got
work in May brothers wholesale grocery
house He rem1ined there two years study
ing American customs. newspapers and
politics and then came to Omaha for a
turn at the nail kegs.
Omaha daily bee., 1906-03-25

money has found the conduct OF the office
without defect.
These inspections included those of bond
ing companies we'll as by city officers.
Democrats and republicans alike have
gone over the department with a fine
tooth comb In a report for the Fidelity
and Deposit company in 1902 John NJ.
Gilchrist, an expert employed by the state
under fusion reign, signed his name to the
following:
We commend the careful work done by
the accountant department of the treas
urer's office and the willingness OF tho
treasurer in adopting suggestions looking
towards an improvement of system and
methods. In view OF the large volume
of collections 100000, and the multi
plicity of accounts the accuracy is re-
markable.
In accordance with his view that the
treasurer's office should be run on a busi-
ness basis Hennngs has employed sum-
cient clerks and collectors to keep pace
with the steadily increasing amounts levied
and collectible. He worked on the plan
that a proper expenditure at first hand
saves much money in the end and bal
ancing of the expenses and incomes OF the
department proves his policy correct.
Where one dollar has been spent many
have been gained.
Omaha daily bee., 1906-03-25

again. With the birth OF Jim Key, Dr.
Key takes up the story OF his education
For nearly a year after Jim was foaled
had no hope of him
Il began TO teach him when he was
year old. First 1 taught hi6l TO lie down
and roll, and soon after that to give symp-
toms of bots and collie. because l was then
in the medicine business. Next he learned
TO make believe he was lame and act as
though he was suffering with different
kinds OF troubles. the general symptoms
of which he would reproduce. l had him
learn to bring me different things, and
then 20 learn different colors. The hardest
thing had to teach him was 10 eat sugar
l tried every way, and had II tied to the
bride. but Jim would always spit it out
One day l saw him eating apples In the
orchard, and l got the idea that II put
a piece OF sugar In an apple he would eat
IL. / fixed an apple, and then watched jim
When he picked il up and munched it. I
thought he would go crazy with satisfac-
ton and delight. I az once tried the sugar
alone but II was no use. He had taken
a grudge against raw sugar although he
would take It with an apple coating.
worked with him for six months before
succeeded"
Omaha daily bee., 1906-03-25
Home Life of Hennings.

Though marked successful as a personal
campaigner and vote-getter, Hennings' per-
sonal recreatons stray far from the tur-
moil of politics He takes most Of his rest
and a large percentage of his pleasures
in life in his home at 1904 Davenport
street, which he bought several years ago
and has considerably improved. His fam
lily consists of his wife, and daughter, Miss
Harriet Hennlngs. One Of the most at
tractive rooms of an exceedingly comforta-
BILE and tasteful home is Mr. Hennings'
library. Reading with him is an avocaton.
He has a large and finely selected library,
including in it's ensemble many historical
philosophical works and liberal editions or
classic and semi-classc authors.
Mr. Hennings is fond of out-of-door
sports and exercise. Fishing is what he
enjoys most, and next to that hunting
both for large and small game. Last year
he acquired a 1OO-acre tract OF land near
Akeley Mimi, including part of lake.
we'll stocked with game fish. Near this
property which Mr.. Hennings calls the
farm" he secured a ten-acre piece of land
upon which he built summer cottage.
Aside from his own enjoyment in the out
of-door life, he built a dwelling place in
a half wilderness in order that his daugh-
ter's health might be benefited by means
Of It. He spent month there last SUM
mer clearing the ground for the cottage
and later helping to construct It,
His life has been that of a wholesome,
decent, self-respecting American citizen, OF
a man who makes his family the center
of his interests and who takes a pride
in upho'dlng and improving the institu-
tions Of his country. His personal charac-
ter is unassai liable. Politics is no respecter
OF private life but the worst Hennings'
foes could say Of him was that be once
hustled heavy freight and speaks with
slight accent They might have said, also,
that in summer Hennings is the most COM
Portable appearing man in the city hail.
affecting thin silk shirtwaists with soft
collars and a, flowing tie, at once immacu-
late and ease-giviug.
Omaha daily bee., 1906-03-25
sponsor for sc1veugcr Tax.

sponsor for Ac2VenEcr Tax.
The efficient collection of taxes was not
the only way In which Henrings bettered
private and public conditions in Omaha. Ho
was the sponsor Of the now famous
"scavenger law" which real estate men
affirm has achieved a great mission IN
making ma rketGble thousands OF pieces OF
property that were loaded down and I'M
mobile because Of taxes Inherited from the
years Of business depression. In this con-
nection It is worth while to quote from a
brief fled by attorneys, Of which W. A.
Saunders, manager Of the Benson campaign
was one, in case before the supreme
court:
Hon. August II. Hennings, city treasurer
or the city Cf Omaha, realized more keenly
perhaps, t.an any other man in the state
of Nebraska, Tie slavity OF this situation.
He saw how useless a thing II was for the
state, county ana city 10 continue the *
pense Of leVying taxes, employing help 10
extend such leVies on the tax books, and
publishing notices OF tax sale under the
revenue law. On these properties that were
already covered with taxes beyond their
value He undertook 70 secure legislation
that would relieve this situation, lift the
liens. and revive the properties that had
been crushed TO death. and make them OF
value 10 the state, county and city. as
revenue producing in the future. He in
terested and enlisted many public spirited
citizens OF Omaha, as we'll as the Douglas
county delegation in the legislation Of 1903,
and as q result We have what Is known
as the scavenger act
The idea OF the scavengsF Law was to
Omaha daily bee., 1906-03-25
Merely Enforced the Law.


How did he do 1t! For. years a law had
personal property upon which taxes had not
been paid and to sell it to satisfy the citys
claim But this mad previously been re-
garded device intended to scare people
with and not to be used. 1t was good to
employ in public interviews, by way of
threat, but no one ever dreamed about it's
enforcement. Hennings, however, assumed
the law was there for purpose, and, per-
ceiving the necessity of such a purpose,
announced he wound proceed to levy upon
household furniture, Office equipment, rail-
road rolling stock, the goods of mercantile
establishments or anything else movable
II the owners were found grossly negligent
or defiant in the liquidation of personal
taxes.
The new treasurer found on the books of
the Office prlma facie evidence that large
proportion of Omahans looked upon per-
sonal taxes joke. The receipt book
stubs showed that real estate assessments
were regarded as possessing more sub
stance, but when it came to paying any
thing on pianos, diamonds stocks, bonds or
money In the bank, your patriotic benen-
clary of the police force, the fire depart
ment, the public schools, the public library,
street repairs and cleaning. the parks,
boulevards and other handmaidens Of
municipal existence, preferred to save his
coin for himself.
Omaha daily bee., 1906-03-25
Risen from Nail Kegs.

A man VINO surprised Omaha as thor
oughly as Hennings and who caused the
advocates of good government to cheer up
is worth some study. When he was elected
he appeared to be a good type Of the solid,
substantial, middle-aged German-American
citizen who had managed to stay about
even with the pace of fair circumstance and
by persistent application had profited in
fair degree. The tale Of how he began
AFFAIRS in Omaha piling nail kegs in the
Rector Wilhelmy cellar has been narrated
80 often 1t scarce needs repetition,
1t was not a great while before he be-
came a foreman, and after three years
went over to the Lee-Glass-Andreeseu
wholesale hardware house, where he re-
sumed the original nail-keg piling exer-
else. This was about 1885. He stayed
with this house and worked his way Nd
Omaha daily bee., 1906-03-25
First nomination I'm Omaha.

Hennings was a delegate to that conven-
ton from the Ninth ward. With nine
others he had been elected at the primaries
on an independent delegation labeled for
Benawa for mayor. The real contest for
the mayOralty nomination lay between
Frank r. Moores and W. W. Bingham.
The FIRST ballot showed each with forty
votes apiece and Benawa with his ten from
the Ninth ward. 1t was perceived that the
Ninth ward held the key The MoOres
people had first made overtures 10 the
Fifth ward delegation for the six votes
necessary 10 give them a nominating ma
jority, Offering in return TO nominate
Charles l. Saunders for treasurer, an once
for which he was aspiring. The Fifth ward
people deluded themselves IN the belief
that they could make Saunders and Bing-
ham as well and declined. The oner was
then transferred to the Ninth ward dele
Omaha daily bee., 1906-03-25
Public Services of Importance.

Friends of Mr.. Hennings have declared
his public service in this respect alone of
extraordinary proportions. Ever since
he entered the treasurer's Office he had
been seeking to devise a means Of cleaning
up the old taxes and starting on a new
basis The scavenger law was the result
of much hard study and close observa-
ton and appreciation of real needs.
Though more than s1S,OOOOOO has passed
through his hands during Hennings' ad-
ministration as city treasurer every ex-
examination of his books, accounts and
Omaha daily bee., 1906-03-25

the duty to collect the taxes. The city
treasurer collected the taxes. 1t required a
great deal of courage and the possession
of considerable personal character. The
records of the office show that
it was the man who could we'll
afford to pay that had dis
tress warrant served on him, the van
backed up to his office or home, and his
chattels carted away and sold if he did
not pay up. 1t would have been easy to
make a demonstration against the man Of
small means fighting to pay OFF a mortgage
or pile up doctor bills. 1t was much
harder to deaf With the citizen Of infu-
ence and resource who would not pay his
personal taxes because of. an inherent be-
lief that he was too good to do so. These
constituted the class whom the treasurer
found owed the most money. Accepting
the problem squarely, he went after them
and left he poorer persons alone. These, he
knew, would pay when they possibly could.
Omaha daily bee., 1906-03-25
Discrepancy Not Appreciated.

Mr.. Hennings always had held good
opinion Of the man who tried to own his
home. To him the possession of a domicile
seemed emblematic Of good citizenship,
good sense and good will towards the rest
Of the community 1t did not seem right
TO the new treasurer that premiums should
accompany the investment in bonds, stocks,
fine feathers, horses. carriages, jewelry,
and that the man who foreswore 4 these
luxuries to make a center table abiding
place for his family should be compelled
to pay a double tax thereby. Consulting
the statute books Hennings discovered the
prescribed manner to enforce the payment
OF personal taxes.
Doubtless II occurred to him that he
had a mean task on his hands one that
might forfeit personal popularity. Per-
haps II struck him that was the reason
why former treasurers had let dust ac-
cumulate on this particular lever of their
Official equipment. But Hennings had been
accustomed to seeing orders issued and
orders obeyed and all hands dealt with
in equal measure. He was born in
Germany where authority is sternly
respected and he reasoned that few dem
onstrations that he meant what he said
about collecting taxes would be sufficient
so far as further action went
Since then Hennings has been known all
over the country as the man OF the col
lecting van. "debt wagon "cash chariot"
or any other old pseudonvm that happens
IN strike the fancy. Pictures Of himself
and his van were published in various
cities end in Omaha a stream Of money
FOR back taxes poured into city Golfers
such % was never known before. After
the FIRST wear II was necessary merely tn
hire furniture wagon. tack on a sign and
have y drawn through the streets to stir
IN personal tax deli0ouants.
-
piscIosure- bv che Van.