Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-21
AFFAIRS At SOUTH OMAHA
Underwriters Engineer Investigates
Packing Houses.
SOME CHANGES RECOMMENDED
Conditions on the whole Found 60
Re Satisfactory SO Far as Fire
Prevention and Fighting
Are Concerned.

Chief Engineer T. Townsend of New
York. representing the National Associa-
tion of Fire Underwriters. was In South
Omaha during last week examining into
the fire conditions about the packing plants
and the Union stock yards.
As the final result OF his trip a meeting
was held yesterday afternoon at the offices
OF the Union Stock Yards company, at
which all the packers were represented
Mr.. Townsend made a little talk on condi-
lions as he found them and made q declara-
ton of a number OF improvements in the
fire fighting system.
Tests were made at all the packing plants
during the week to see how quickly and
efficiently the departments could respond
and to discover any defects in equipment
or in handling situations. In all these
respects Mr.. Townsend expressed satisfac-
ton.
As a protection to the interests which he
represents a cross system Of water mains
will be laid In the yards In such a manner
that high pressure can be developed at
any point in the packing district at a
moments notice. This will necessitate con-
siderable laying of pipes. In place Of the
present fire plugs a plug operated by
electricity. a small motor at the plug. will
be substituted. These will all be operated
from a central station and in n moment
will concentrate all the force Of the system
on the danger point. What is known as
a three-way system hose viii be employed
to a much greater extent than at present
This, with the high pressure of the mains,
will make a stream powerful enough to
top the highest buildings and to cut down
brick walls II necessary.
Mr.. Townsend's talk was exceedingly in
structive to the packers and the yard men
who have these problems to wrestle with
and work out every day In their plants.
Since the meeting at the yords yesterday
Mr.. Townsend made arrangements TO con-
suit with Mayor Koutsky on the fire fight
Ing propositions Of South Omaha. 1t is
expected that the city In general will re-
ceive the same attention as the packing
district. 1t is possible that Mr.. Town
sends recommendation will enter into
the annual report OF risks by the National
Underwater and his recommendations will
have much to do with insurance rates In
South Omaha in the future.
Power Question Discussed.
The Good Government leagues execu-
tive committee met in the offices of John
F1tz Roberts yesterday afternoon, where
they were waited upon by Messrs. Kinsler
and Jagge of the Nebraska Power ON
pany. These gentlemen presented the
points In favor of the power proposition
at considerable length. They maintained
that their contract with the city would
be binding on their part, but that In case
the revenues from that plant did not pay
the interest the city would be obligated to
pay none OF the deficit. The point OF what
would become of an annually increasing
deficit wa also discussed. The final out
come was the passage of a resolution
asking that a committee of the city council
be appointed to confer with the executive
committee of the Good Government league.
saloon Robbery Kept Quiet.
1t has been q secret of the police depart
ment until yesterday that an important
saloon robbery occurred last Thursday
night. The saloon of William Rozewick,
at 534 North Twenty-seventh street was
broken into during the night and a lot
OF liquors and tobacco taken, as we'll as
$50 from the cash register. This is the larg-
est haul made by the saloon breaking
gang this year. The place is a Schlitz
saloon and in a handy part of the city
for such a gang to work. The police kept
low for a day or two hoping that a clue
might turn up, but, as yet, they have no
evidence pointing to suspected parties.
The facts of the case were learned out
side of police circles. and the detectives
are still at work on the case.
shower for Bride-to-Be.~
Mrs. Harry Snyder entertained In honor
Of Miss Nellie Rawley yesterday afternoon.
The event was a shower to add to the
f~elicities of Miss Rawley's approaching
marriage to Lou Walker, which is an