Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-13
AFFAIRS AT SOUTH OMAHA
Converts TO Annexation Continue to
Declare Their Position.
JOHN wwIlLAN is AMONG THE LATEST
Gives Some COgent Reasons why He
Favors Becoming Part of Metro
pOIitan City-SeveraI Injured
by Fails on sIeet.

Among the latest to give public express
sion TO the sentiment OF annexation in
South Omaha is John Mcmillan. one of
the best known citizens of the city. He
once represented the interests of this sec
tion in the legislature. He has at all times
taken a deep interest In public affairs and
makes daily visits to the city offices to
keep posted on municipal affairs. He is
usually very conservative I'm his express
sions but last Thursday night at the meet
ing of the Highland Park Improvement
club he took occasion to express his beliefs
in no uncertain terms.
In his opinion, the greatest reason for
the union is the fact that the city expends
for running expenses here annually amount
to the sum of s225OOO, and not dollar Of
this is part of the public improvements
80 much needed. All these must come from
the sale OF bonds which have plunged the
city in debt S,5OO0OO. II the $4,000 could
be used as II should be in public improve
ments instead of for the needless and
cumbersome separate city government,
South Omaha would enjoy many more i'm
provements than It has today. Another
reason is the fact that whenever any public
Improvement is voted or talked of the
public spirited" citizens are on the look
out, not to assist in the movement, but to
force up the price of realty, as In the case
of the city hall site, or the price of ma
terials to the amount of $4,000 in the
sewer propositions. or to sell the city
park at illegitmate profit. Then there is
the incompetency of city governments to
arrange and perfect contracts which will
stand. as in the recent Missouri avenue
paving case. From the present outlook
and judging from the former administra-
tions this kind of bungling of affairs,
which is the charitable term, must still
continue. Mr. Mcmillan put the questions
straight on every point in the city govern
ment which has been in dispute in the
last year. He made the assertion since the
meeting that except for the firm stand Of
the present city clerk the city would today
be tottering along the brink Of bankruptcy,
the victim of every scheming politician.
Time and again the clerk has been the only
bar to deals, simply because he refused to
draw questionable warrants This attitude
has no doubt been a bar to many schemes.
Something More About Teachers.
Now the minority members of the Board
of Education come forward with a state
ment in answer to the explanation offered
by Jay Laverty in yesterdays papers, re-
ferring to recent charges to the effect that
the board had hired an excessive number
Of teachers, and they declare that no
charges have been made by the board, nor
by the minority of 1t, but they wish to
submit the report of the superintendent
which is as follows:
An examination of the official reports of
the principals filed in the superintendent
Office shows that the school year 19O4-l9O5
began with 1913 teachers and ended with i24
The school year 1905-1906 began with 1923
teachers and ended with 1874 The superin-
Aanf fhan nalla cd nf
board to the fact that ne had asked for
only 135 teachers to begin the school year
1906-1907 stating that others could be added
as needed. AS the third month had al
ready closed he made the further compare
tive statement based on the principals re-
ports for the third months this year and
last. After submitting paper showing
the number of pupils in every grade and
class IN the city, he called attention to
for the third month this year over the
same month last year Is l0l pupils. Dur
Ing the third month last year there were
year there were 146 teachers.
An affidavit has been filed, sworn to by
an examiner to assure the correctness of
the report. Then the minority members
charge that Mr.. Laverty has compelled the
principals, ''at great inconvenience" TO
sign the statement which appeared yester-
day. and that he has practically taken
from the city superintendent all power in
tne administration OF Ine SCHOOLS.
Several Injured by Falls.
The slippery walks last night were re-
sponsible for numerous hard falls. but up
to a late hour no dangerous injuries were
reported. Miss Belle NewaIl, principal OF
the Washington school. fell as she was
descending the steps Of that building last
evening The edge OF the stone cut cash
In the back of her head and she was
! unconscious for several minutes. Blood
flowed freely from the wound. but 1t is
thought that no dangerous consequences
will ensue. Mrs. Frank e. Bliss fell at
the close of the services at the First
Presbyterian church. She fen down three
steps to the sidewalk and received several
bruises, from which she lay In a faint for
some time. She revived and was able TO
go home with the assistance of her hus-
band.
= M, 81,