Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-23


he be allowed to ride a bicycle instead of
horse. He said he had never ridden
either, but it wouldn't be so far to fall
from a bicycle. The senate was inclined
to grant the request, but under the rules
the resolution went over for a day
Omaha printers, or at least one of them,
have come to the rescue in breaking the
alleged combine among the Lincoln printers
to boost prices of work done for the legis-
lature, Through the efforts Of Senator
Thomas, who originated the idea of hav-
ing the journal printed daily, a proposal
was received from A. l.. Stonecypher of
Omaha, which reduces the prices hamed by
the Lincoln printers from $500 to 5000
This will reduce the cost of furnishing daily
journals and the compiled journals issued
at the end of the session below the cost
of furnishing mimeograph copies of the
daily proceedings and then issuing a COM
piled journal at the end of the session.
After the bid was received Thomas renewed
his resolution for the printing OF a daily
Journal and authorizing the printing COM
mittee to enter into contract, but Sackett
OF Gage asked It TO go over for a day
under the rules.
The committee on insane HOSPITALS which
has Just returned from Norfolk, will prob-
ably investigate the old contract under
which the tunnels connecting the various
buildings were built. The new tunnels are
| declared to be in good condition but the
old ones are said TO be In bad shane and
evidences of faulty construction have
caused whispers OF possible graft" among
members OF the committee. The roof OF
the old tunnels Is fiat and the walls are
or single thickness brick The roof, owing
to Its shape. has begun to crumble and
lets I'm water at places. Owing to their
weak construction the walls are also in
bad condition. Some time ago Governor
Mickey called attention to the condition
OF the tunnels and II is considered probable
that thorough investigation OF the whole
matter will result. Members OF the com
mittee who discussed the matter today
said they had no knowledge as to whether
the fault lay in the terms Of the contract
1 or whether the work was not properly done
by the contractor. The visitors all praised
the general condition at the hospital and
| declared everything seemed to be in good
condition and the institution properly con-
! Quoted. Senators Randall, Wilson, Clarke,
Dodson and Saunders comprised the senate
! committee. Land Commissioner Eaton also
accompanied the party.
Railroad Legislation Waits.
/
tors referred to the joint committee will
have to await action by that committee in
most cases. according to decision reached
/ by the senate railroad committee today.
The 2-cent fare bills introduced by Latta
and Sackett were postponed until after
the joint committee has made up its re-
port. The question OF fare may be settled
by this committee. The concurrent resolu-
, ton introduced some time ago directing
the attorney general 10 test the legality OF
the railway commissioner law Will be re-
ported for indefinite postponement tomor-
row by the committee. The resolution as
originally drawn contained some where
asses" which were Objectionable to some OF
the senators and It was also decided a
simple resolution would accomplish the
same result and would get action much
quicker than a concurrent resolution, which
must take the same course as a bill. The
committee therefore decided to postpone
IL.
The railroad committee decided to report
favorably on the concurrent resolution Of
( fered some time ago by sackett OF Gage
| memorializing congress to pass legislation
TO prevent railroad companies from enjoin-
ing in federal court the collection OF taxes
before they are paid.
Senator Thomas did not introduce his
bill for the consolidation OF Omaha and
South Omaha today, but probably will do
so within day or two. Senator Saunders
was out of town on the Norfolk tunketing
trip and Thomas wanted to consult with
him before introducing IL. The bill is the
one backed by several Omaha commercial
bodies and drawn up by John p. Breen. II
does not provide for a vote by the people
OF either city. The consolidation is TO be
effected by proclamation OF the governor
The consolidated city takes on the debts
OF the two cities and is authorized TO re-
assess special taxes which the smaller
city was authorized TO reassess II pro-
vides the city council shall redistriet tiae