Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-05

there are fewer prostitutes. 1t gives credit
for this condition to the Board OF Fire and
Police Commissioner for its orders to close
the Arcade and cribs. II believes, however,
that some Of the prostitutes have merely
moved to other locations. and II recon-
mends that the board order their removal
from the wholesale and retail districts. It
decries the establishment Of a prescribed
district and the legalizing by the legisla-
ture Of prostitution.
Investigation showed that 100 persons,
mostly women. are holders of government
permits to sell liquor, but they have no
city permits. This Che jury censures and
gives as a reason for the condition that
the dealers in liquor as afraid Of the fed
eral government and not Of the city.
No Change Here.
The report says:
THE sale Of liquor and the control of
prostitution should remain in a commission
similar to the present Board Of Fire and
Police Commissioner and that the com
missioners should be appointed by the
governor, not the mayor, for, the greater
the honor and the integrity of the appoin-
1--WE power the DelNtI anu MUTE CdphDle the
appointee will be-
The jury reported finding no change in
the manner of conducting the business in
pswnshops and secondhand stores, but no
recommendation was made. The jurors in
their report merely stated that they be-
lieved It was customary for dealers to
buy stolen property with full knowledge
that the property had been stolen, thus
encouraging petty theiving.
The Jurors say they are convinced that
many incompetent and inexperienced in
spectors for public work in Omaha, South
Omaha and Douglas county protect much
more carefully the interest of the con-
tractor than the municipality by whom they
are employed. The jury also found that
few public officials have read the laws of
the state governing cities, counties or viii
lagos and that often their oath of office
is wholly disregarded.
Some Special Points.
The jury's report concludes with calling
attention to" these statements, under the
head of special points:
First-The illegal sale of cocaine and
other harmful drugs, especially by drug
stores i'm the redlight district.
Second-The display and sale of postal
cards and literature most suggestive and
immoral in character in some of the book
and stationery stores in Omaha and South
Omaha.
Thlrd-The sale Of tobacco or cigarette
packages in some Omaha and South omaha
stores containing most obscene and vulgar
pictures.
Fourth-Many fortune tellers and clair
voydnts are still plying their trade. They
are imposters and should not be permitted
to do business in this county, and laws
should be enacted to remove them.
Ftfth-We recommend that the legislature
pass a law regulating the practice of quack
doctors and that an effort be made to rid
this community of these impostors.
Sixth-We find that many young boys
and girls are allowed to run automobiles.
We recommend that the ordinances regulat-
ing the speed Of automobiles and motor
cycles be strictly enforced, also that the
city council pass an ordinance prohibiting
the, running. of automobiles, and motor
cycles by children. This should be done for
the safety of the public.
Seventh-We condemn the giving Of
worthless or straw bonds in connection
mend that our police judges exercise
greater care I'm the taking of bonds, also
that the collection of forfeited bonds be
enforced according to law.
south Omaha.
The mayor. all members or the council
except one, the city clerk, city treasurer,
chief of police, police officers, a few city
employees, also several citizens, were ques-
toned with reference to public matters in
South Omaha
We regret to report that we found evil
dence of graft on the part of some of the
members of the present council, one mem
Der being indicted for soliciting and ac-
cepting bride money.
After the present mayor and council
were elected the mayor named men to fill
the appointive offices. Before the appoint
ments were confirmed by the council, sew
eral of the appointses were approached and
asked by one George Dunscomb to pay
from S25 to 500 each. to have their appoint
ments confirmed. Dunscomb was not an
office holder and we were unable to learn
whom he represented. One councilman
frankly admitted that a representative of
a corporation now seeking a franchise and
contract in South Omaha had offered him
money to vote for his franchise and con
tract saying as he did so that HE might
as we'll have some of the money as the
other fellows; also That the franchise
would be secured If it cost $4,000, as il
could be sold
The attention of the grand jury was also
called to numerous instances where former
Mayor Thomas Hector and the members
OF the council during his administratio
let contracts for the city of South Omaha
in which most questionable and irregular
methods were used.
Evidence showed that the taxpayers ant
citizens were not honestly and fairly repre-
scented in connection with the new city
hall and Jail, from the time of the purchas,
of the land until the completion of tn,
[ Evidence also showed that former cit,
officials had not dealt honestly nor fairly
with the city in the purchase of Syndicat,
May /, 1906, the citizens of South Omaht
voted $25O,OOO in bonds to pay for mucI
needed sewers. These bonds were sold an,
contracts let for the building of thes
sewers and surety bonds issued by tn
contractors for faithful performance o
contract.
The Twenty-first street main sewer wa
let TO James Jensen. contractor. Tn
work is partially done. The contract [
complete the work and surety bond expire
October l, 1907.
The Hyland Park main sewer was let t
Harmon & Craig, contractors. This wor
has not yet been commenced. The con
tract to complete work and the suret
bond expired December l. 1906, two year
ago.
The building of the letter creek ma
sewer was let to the National Constructio