Omaha daily bee., 1908-06-11
PLAN FOR CITY GOVERNMENT
Subject EngrOsses Attention Of BUSH
ness Men and Politicians.
SOUTH OMAHA IS CONSIDERED
Right Man for Leadinn the Move
ment f. Sought. n. Harri-
son says More Economy
n Essential.

n Essential.
wanted; One man to work out the
Omaha plan"-a plan for home
self-government. a bill OF the city's rights,
which will be acceptable TO Omaha and
South Omaha. the Nebraska legislature
and all taxpayers in two cities.
Such a man Is being sought by the Real
Estate exchange, Commercial club. city
council and Federation OF Improvement
clubs.
When Councilman Sheldon proposed that
the commercial organizations, improvement
clubs and city council appoint committees
to organize a joint committee TO Find out
what's the matter with the Omaha city
charter before the next legislature meets"
he started agitation which is likely to re-
suit In taking a vote as-tO whether Omaha
shall adopt some such plan as inaugurated
by Galveston and Des Moine
Bat just now the commercial organiza-
tions are looking for the right man for
the head Of the joint committee and the
requirements are perhaps the highest ever
set down.
some Men Suggested.
Some Of the names suggested are:
John l. Kennedy, Of J. l. Brandeis &
Sons.
Euclid Martin. president Of the CONNER
clal club.
C. NJ. wilhelm Of Orchard & Wilhelm.
William Hayden of Hayden Bros.
Howard H. Baidrige. attorney.
Arthur c. Smith Of N. F. Smith & Co.
Henry w. Yates, president Of the Ne
braska National bank
w. s. Wright Of Wright & wilhelmy.
A. L. Reed Of the Byron Reed company.
The Real Estate exchange and the city
council have appointed committees TO
represent them in the joint committee on
charter revision. The executive committee
OF the Commercial club has authorized the
appointment OF a committee of three mem
bers to represent that organization, which
Is composed OF 300 business men who repre-
sent the taxpayers and largest interests
in Omaha.
So far the committee of the Real Estate
exchange Is the only one ready for work
and which has seriously considered whether
the charter needs fixing or not. 1t is
headed by C. F.. Harrison, who says that
when the proper man is found to head the
movement for a Greater Omaha plan
enough changes will be found necessary to
revolutioniEe the plan Of city government
In Omaha. AS chairman OF the committed
Mr.. Harrison says he will make no sug
R~estions until the Joint committee is organ.
lied, but that the Des Moines and Calves.
ton plans are certain Of consideration. HI
believes the city shout be managed BY
one high salaried mayor and aldermen
elected at large. The departments of tn,
city government should be cut down not L
exceed five. which would be:
Department Of public affairs.
Department of accounts and finance.
Department OF public safety.
Department of streets and public i'm
provements.
Department of public lands and build
ings.
What south Omaha Wants.
BY a careful inquiry the Real Estate e X
change claims to have learne,
that the most influential men and propert!
holders in South Omaha favor working
out a plan which will be at once the mos
economical and expedient which can b
devised and that If the charter OF right
for the city is revised on a broad basis
South Omaha will join with Omaha 1
starting a new era and plan for the tw'
cities. which WIN attract the attention o
the country.
I'VE have got to get down to bushes
with these Cities said Mr.. Harrison
The expensive way in which the are bein
conducted will have to cease some day
not because we are paying out too niue
for public improvements. public safety an
maintenance Of our streets, but becaus
we are not getting enough for our monel
There is no charge Of graft to be mad
but the waste in cities is frequently due {
ignorance. / believe the 100000 waste
in pavement and Improvement OF Oman
streets has not been lost or any large pa
Of II. because Of graft. but because Of il
norance and injudicious work"
Hill FOresIsht Needed.
what we must do Is to have the citis
OF Omaha and South Omaha run their a
fairs like some OF the great corporation
which have at their head such men 1
James ]. Hin. who comprehend the Who'll
and under him specialists who are capab
OF looking after the departments Of h
company.
The great corporations look into the 4
ture and plan what will be necessary
ten. twenty and fifty years when they DO
row 500, 0O0. 900 for Improvements. The citi
OF Omaha and South Omaha need a cor
mission of able men which will plan VIII
Is the best thing 70 do to provide for Il
future growth of Omaha and South Omal
at the time when they unite and beeor
together one of the greatest cities in 4
country"
The members Of the Real Estate exchan
committee who were the first appointed
look into the subject Of charter revisit
are much interested in the work before /
foint ommftte and deVfroua that .