Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-24

The point Of greatest Importance was
brought up in connection with the fire
fund. The special committee consisting OF
p. j. Barrett, c. w. Sears and John Mac
MILAN recommended an increase Of pay for
the men with two fire halls and an engine
additional, providing for the new equip
ment by issuing $4,000 bonds. This made
the expense of the department $25,O00 an
nually. 1t was at once moved to amend this
by increasing the amount provided to 49,
900. and adding the double shift. After a
bitter fight and some personalities the
amendment was carried by one vote.
The balance Of the committees report
was adopted as 1t had suggested. II was
suggested that the office of tax commits
sioner be done away with and the report
of the county assessors be taken as the
basis OF property valuation for South
Omaha, the city council being a board Of
review. This was rejected and the COM
mittee voted to retain the tax commits
sioner as at present
The report of the committee recommended
the election of twelve councilmen, six at
large and six from the wards, provided,
however. that the election of all should not
take place the same year. but be divided
in two classes.
The committee on public service corpora
tions and on the matter Of a city boiler In
spector and meter Inspector reported. the
only recommendation being for a boiler in
spector.
One prominent recommendation was that
the practice OF boosting the funds provfd-
ing for fixed expenditures, such as fire.
police. light. water and so forth. should be
discontinued. and that all excuses of col
- It, -
be expended. necessarily. but to reduce the
levy, II possible. from year to year.
City Council Proceedings.
The city council met in special session last
night to advance the SPECIAL levy ordinances
for special taxes for street improvements
paving. grading and sidewalks. These ordi-
nances. six in number. were passed. The
only other important item was the intro
duction of an ordinance providing and de-
claring the necessity Of a viaduet at Tween
ty-ninth and + streets over the Union Pa
cific railroad. The city proposes to vacate
to the Union Pacific a number OF stub
streets I'm that vicinity and TO accent the
viaduct in return.
Surprise for Sam Mcdonald.
A surprise party was arranged by Mrs
William r. Macdonald. l4OS North TWENTY
third street. last night. in honor of her
son, Samuel Macdonald of Chicago and
his wife. who was Miss Charlotte Mendel.
The young couple are making their first
visit home since the wedding, which took
place over six months ago. In honor of
the event about thirty young people
mostly of the young married couples,
formerly friends to Mr.. Macdonald. met
and enjoyed games and other amusements
until a late hour. Refreshments were
served aad plenty OF good fellowship pre-
vailed.
RObber Hold Up saloon.
One man robbed Pat Hannigan's saloon
Tuesday night at Thirty ninth and Q
streets, securing $40. The attempt was
made at n:S p. m, just before the pro-
prietor was closing up for the night. Two
or three men were in the place when the
stranger walked in with a big gun in each
hand and commanded hands up. All
Obeyed. but a carpenter named Smith. who
managed to slip down behind the bar and
crawl out on his hands and knees. The
rest Of the men were compelled 10 stand
while the man searched them The police
were notified and given the best description
the nervous crowd could procure, but as
yet they have no clue. With the report
OF a hoId-up man about all the officers
Overhauied their guns and made ready for
some Quicl