Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-04
DOCTOR JOBS AT THE CITY JAIL
Some Doubt rs TO who
IL n Regular Police
Surgeon.

Who are the police surgeons of the city
of Omaha? This Is the question which Is
proving a puzzler to many people who are
more or less familiar with the situation.
and it is a question which will. it Is prom
ised, cause worry to more than one demo-
cratic politician before the spring campaign
is over.
AS nearly as can be figured out by those
who are not conversant with the inner
most secrets Of the city administration, the
situation Is unusual, not to say peculiar.
During the first part OF the year 1903 the
police surgeons were Drs, Harris and Fitz-
gibbons. The former was reappointed in
July with the understanding that his term
would run for one year from that time.
Then DR.. Fitzgibbons became a candidate
for a place on the school board and dropped
out as police surgeon, being succeeded by
DR.. Smith, a Creighton medical college
undergraduate.
Friends of DR.. Smith assert, however, that
the keys to the city d~ispensary, instru-
ment cases, ct cetera, were never turned
over to him and that he was never given
a chance to hold the place except in name.
1t was also understood that his appoint
ment was to run until July, 1909.
On January /. 1909 Mayor Jim "butted
into the game by appointing new surgeons
who were served with written notices OF
their appointments. but no notice was given
the men who had been holding the office
that they were to be supplanted.
DIR. II. c. Newell and Marine Lombard
an Italian medical student, were appointed
In the case Of Lombard 1t is asserted that
his appointment was part of a deal
between Mayor Dahlman of the first part
and Agostin Minardi and Joe Sesto OF
the second part. The two last named are
we'll known member OF the italian colony
and 1t is said of them that they carry
the vote OF that contingent in their vest
pocket or other convenient receptacle and
that for and in consideration OF this ap-
pointment and other favors OF various
sorts and amounts. "Hizzoner" is to re.
ceive the Italian vote en- masse.
Rumors OF a coming storm. however, are
said to have reached Lombard and he de-
clined to accept the appointment. turning
the honors and emoluments over to DR.
Frederic L. Barbour, also of Creighton col.
lege.
And so the matter stands. Up to date
there are five men with claims to the jot
OF police surgeon. City Health Commits.
sioner Connell, who is opposed to be in.
formed, at least in a general way, OF
@AbN "aANNh OSShA III MS htPdA liIlGII ii
quoted as saying that he knows nothins
of the new appointments of the mayor
He LIS also quoted to the effect that DR.
Harris is one OF the best men who evel
held the position and he has made NJ
criticisms Of any sort on the work o.
DR.. Smith.
Each OF the last named medical men hai
been disposed to accept the situation ant
devote his entire time to his private az
fairs, but their friends have refused t
let the matter drop so easily and so IA
decline to allow the Jims to manipulate
the city offices to quit their convenience
regardless OF the injustice or unfairnes
to the men concerned. and It is more thai
probable that within the coming week Their
will be some developments in democrati
circles, which will give the mayor and hi
advisers something to think about.