Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-29

by the street car company Of bonds for
sale, which says that the bonds are guar
anteed by net earnings over three times
as great as the interest charge. And still
Il can's afford a reduction Of fsresl
When this ordinance Of mine was intro
duced. three members Of the present coun-
ell were called in at a meeting OF the di-
rectors Of the street car company and were
promised extensions Of lines II they voted
against II. Later. when the charter amend
ment was introduced compelling the COM
pany to keep in repair the street pave
ments by its tracks. three members OF the
legislature were called in and the same ex-
tensions were promised over again II this
was killed.
Senator Howell told me himself: Harry.
President Wattles made a contract with
three legislators that II the section com
Polling the repair Of pavements was killed
the company would make extensions How
long lie this company going to trade off
hslf-mile extensions for favorable legisla-
ton?
VIII settle Franchise DuratiOns.
But there is another question much
more vital, and that il the determina-
ton of the date at which expire the
- VI W ~ ~ SpuiO bAuAlN
street Railway company. the Omaha
Electric Light and Power company, the
Omaha Gas company and the Nebraska
Telephone This is the most
important question ever confronting tbs
people, and when l become mayor Of this
city I will determine the date of ex-
piration OF these franchises held by the
public service corporations occupying the
streets of Omaha.
Judge Munger of the federal court
In a recent decision in the celebrated Lin
coin gas case wiped out the franchise
value and compelled the company to sell
gas for 81. The has So. 500, 900
in stocks and 81, 100, 900 in bonds, but
the court held that the 1857, 600 actually
invested was the real value and that
charges could be based on this alone.
When the company was paying returns
on a valuation inflated by $4,000. 900
could IT not we'll afford to sell gas
for 81
Mr.. Breen has told you he is in the
race because he was endorsed by a couple
of political clubs. ! am in the race be-
cause ! filed for the office and not be-
cause of any endorsements, for / have
none other than my record. Nine years
ago ] was not endorsed by any club,
but was endorsed by the people and was
elected. Six years ago 1 was not en-
dorsed by any club. but was endorsed
by the people and again elected. And
three years g I was not endorsed by
any club, but was endorsed by the peo-
pie. Today I have no club endorsement,
but am asking you for your endorsement,
for the endorsement OF the people"
or the candidates for other offices
present, Judge Ben s. Baker. for city at
torney, said that II elected and any oc-
cupation tax ordinances came before him
he would O.. K. them. and with my o
X. they will withstand any court action
Frank Dewey said that he believed his
experience well qualified him for city
clerk; Henry E. Ostrom Of the Sixth ward
told his hearers he had lived in Omaha
all his life and knew what was needed
James c. Lindsay of the Twelfth ward
reminded the voters of his five years OF
service on the School board, which is a
good qualification; Fred Schroeder OF
the Seventh asked for the votes OF the
union laboring men, and William A. Chap
man of the Twelfth declared that bust.
ness men with a business education are
needed in the council.