Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-11
AFFAIRS AT SOUTH OMAHA
Council Has a Warm Time Over G
Street Paving Contract.
SEWER QUESTION IS CONSIDERED
Contractors Doing Nothing on Several
Contracts and Legal EntanEle-
ments Are Antici-
pated.

the session OF the city counch idSt nlSuI
was heated in the extreme over the con-
sideration of a motion to rescind the ac-
ton Of the former council letting the paw
ing OF Q street from Twenty-fourth to
Twentieth. This action was taken Novem-
Der IL, 1907, and by 1t the contract was let
to the National Construction company.
Dan Harmon brought an Injunction in the
district court against the city on the
ground that the city had not let the con-
tract to the lowest bidder. This case is
still, pending, having been postponed from
time to time.
The object OF the motion was to avoid
this litigation If possible by resembling the
action and ordering the clerk to readvertise
bids. The motion was introduced by John
Larsen. The democratic nembers called
the motion precipitate action and wanted
to wait for advice of counsel. The mayor
assured :hem that he had examined into
the legality of the action and had been
advised by the city attorney. On this
point the dispute rose, which resulted in
hot words from the council and hotter
words still from the mayor. The mayor
went so far as to charge that certain
members had been fixed"
No action was taken by the council, blu
the matter was deferred for a week.
A large delegation from the Fifth ward,
headed by Pat Broderick, asked for a re-
consideration of the proposition to open
Thirty-ninth avenue across the Burlington
tracks. The delegation complained that
they had nothing in the way of improve
ments on the west side. They want the
street opened and hope to secure a via
duct. The council voted the proposition
down at a former meeting. All the men,
bers Of the council present made explana-
tions OF their vote whether on one side or
the other. The delegates of the West side
Improvement club replied sharply in some
instances. They could see no reason why
action should be delayed on account OF
other propositions with the Union Pacific
or Rock Island railroads. They consid-
cred the Burlington proposition independ-
ent. Many women were present and told
of the difficulties OF getting across the
streets at this point. The council did not
see fit to take action.
The council ordered the city attorney to
Investigate the present legality OF the sewer
contracts OF the city. These contracts
were let September 0, 1906. at a time when
the city had not sufficient funds to pay out
In full. This left an opening for an in
junction which was sustained by the courts
to the effect that the work could not pro-
coed until the city had enough funds pro-
vided. Since that time nothing has been
done with the exception OF the Mud Creek
sewer and the n street gulch sewer. The
funds were provided during the present
summer by tie sale OF additional bonds.
The city sold only $4,000 out OF an author
lied issue Of $1,000. II is anticipated that
some OF the companies may not wish to
fulfill the contracts at the present date.
so the Investigation Of the attorney is to
see II any ground remains TO compel the
fulfillment, The Union Stock Yards COM
pany advanced $4,000 TO the city for the
completion OF the Mud creek sewer and II
is said to have been the intention II not
the contracted agreement for the city TO
repay this money. The city seems 10 be
inclined TO take the advance purely as a
gift.
No formal demand for this money has
ever made. but it has been commonly rum