Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-21
AFFAIRS At SOUTH OMAHA
Mass Meeting to Discuss Nebraska
Power COmpany's Project.
PROPOSAL Is NOT FAVORED
BED Of Pare sIlicon Found In Driving
Tunnel for the Mud Creek sewer
--Golf Contest at the
Country Club

The proposition Of the Nebraska Power
company was discussed by a mass meeting
Of citizens held I'm the council chamber
yesterday afternoon. Although at the con-
clusion Of the meeting the mayor was
apked to appoint a committee for further
investigationCi was apparent it would be
Of little use. ". o. Gilbert of Omaha, at
torney for the power company, said at the
conclusion: You might Just as well say
you don't want the contract as to insist on
further delay
The only outspoken advocates of the con-
tract were August Miller. p. ]. Barrett,
A. l. Berquist and g.. L. Winters.
p. A. Nash of the Omaha Electric Light
and Power company represented the inter-
ests of the local company. He said mis-
company. had Inspected the feasibility Of
the scheme ten years ago and had spent
ts,no0 for expert engineers. They had turned
the proposition down as not feasible.
Although the citizens discussed the propo-
sltlon in q spirit Of inquiry and with con-
Siderable difference to the company, It was
evident that they would be extremely eau
tious. Everyone in prefacing his remarks
said 10 there was any way to give South
Omaha creaper power with safety to all
concerned they we're In favor Of It.
The proposition. as developed In the read
ing OF the ordinance and by the statements
OF the promoters, briefly, Is that the COM
pany had sold $4,000 Of bonds at a figure
below par. Not over 100000 shares of stock
had been issued and an unknown amount
had been paid up OF the amount subscribed.
The company had practically no assets nor
had II done any development. They hoped
TO be able. after the contract had been
executed in South Omaha for a $780, 900
plant, to sell enough stock and bonds In
Switzerland to finance the company and
later develop a 100000 plant at Columbus,
Neb.
The proposition for South Omaha was
that q plant OF 1,5OO horsepower per hour
for ten hours daily should be installed
with distributing lines, for which the city
was to pay not to exceed $2,5OO,OOO. This
was to be paid out Of the revenues as they
arose from the sale of power to private
individuals. Public lights were to be paid
by a tax at half the present rate per arc.
This tax was said to apply on the payment
OF principal and interest. The big feature
was that the city should pay 8 per cent
interest on all deferred payments, or $685.
900 in interest the first year. The balance
OF the revenues were TO apply on the prin-
cipal. 1t was pointed out. however, that
South Omaha consumes not to exceed $70,-
900 worth of electricity all told in private
enterprises. This would leave a deficit of
1850 90 the first year on interest alone, con-
sidering no cost of operating or maintain
ing the plant. The company said IL the
revenue did not pay the interest there
would be no obligation to pay interest.
This was a proposition which the ordinance
left seriously in doubt. Other objections
were 30 numerous and SO vital that the
discussion Of them occupied all the after
noon.
A thing which caused the greatest sur
prise Of all was thath s. l.. Winters, the
democratic city attorney of South Omaha,
took the floor and strenuously advocated
the plan. In fact, he was far more earnest
and emphatic than the accredited attorney
OF the company, Mr.. Gilbert. 1t had been
expected Of the city attorney to take Il
judicial attitude instead of the part of an
advocate. This brought on him some sharp
criticism on the floor and many private
expressions of dissent.
1t 10 not known with what energy the
company will proceed under the investiga-
ton Of the committee Of the mayor.
Bed of silicon Found.
The city engineer reported yesterday the
discovery OF a bed Of pure silicon, the basic
principle OF quartz and sand, at the east
end of the tunnel, where the National Con-
struction company is working. This bed
is eighteen inches thick and of unknown
extent. 1t is of a fine crystalline form, very
hard. and for this reason a good substance
for all kinds OF polishing. The crystals are
SO minute that it cleans the surface Of
metals like the best pollshes on the market.
II may be a valuable find to the parties
to whom 1t belongs by right. If so, it Is
possible that som thorough prospecting
may reveal other beds in the sam sec
tion.
Golf Contest.
The South Omaha Country club is
planning a golf contest before Thanksgiving
day and prizes are TO be offered. consist
ing Of a number OF the best turkeys on
the market. II the present fair weather
continues the match will be played off
Sunday afternoon. A number Of entries
have been recorded. In addition to the
round of the links some contests Of ac-
curate driving will be engaged in. This
game will also be a sort Of energizer for
the approach Of the annual meeting, which
Is the first Thursday OF December. Some
questions Of policy of great Importance will
be brought up. There has been some talk