Omaha daily bee., 1909-12-29
STREET LIGHTS
New Contract for Three Years Will
be Made by City.
GARBAGE MATTER UNSETTLED
CITY Council Committee of the whole
Listens to Long Discussion and
Comes 60 No Con-
cIusiOn.

The city council In committee Of the
whole succeeded in getting action on a
few pending pieces OF city business Mon
day afternoon. The garbage situation con-
tinues. The street lighting contract,
amended in a minor particular, was agreed
upon to be passed at the meeting tonight.
1t carries provision for a three-yesr agree
ment with the electric light company, and
on the basis OF the present number OF
lights means an average cost per lamp
per year Of t57.I5.
The committee also gave its countenance
and support to the agreement with the No
braska Telephone company for the in
stallatlon OF a new fire and police alarm
system. The cost $4,000 a year for five
years, will be paid from the funds allotted
to the Fire and Police board. At the end
of five years, II the city desires to buy the
plant, 1t can do so for 80 per cent Of the
original cost Of installation. The new agree
ment calls for men operators instead of
girls.
The three ordinances providing new regu-
lation for the use and storage Of com
bustible liquids by stores, garages and dry
cleaning establishments were laid over for
one week to give those interested an OPP
portunity to be heard.
Use for Old Market House.
City Engineer Craig asked the council to
be careful about accepting bids for the
Capitol avenue market house. He said he
had made some figures on Its possible
value to the city, II torn down, and the
material put into a service building, on
some other site, for the engineers depart
ment. Council agreed to go slow. 1t is
the city engineers idea that the material
can be used to erect a new structure
wherein can be placed the asphalt repair
plant, the stone crosswalk foundry and
also to house all machinery used by his
men.
Mr.. Craig also asked the committee to
consider the advisAbility of buying a large
automobile for the use of council commit
tees and himself. The proposal was met
with favor, several members expressing
themselves to the effect that the city would
socn save the cost OF a machine by cutting
out team hire, now necessary in getting
about the city to attend to urgent business.
The finance committee will ascertain If
money enough remains in the general fund
to buy the machine from the present years
revenue.
Damage Claims Cut Down.
Claims for damages for a large amount
because of the proposed Dodge street via
duct were cut by the committee on viaducts
to 1850 as being about right, Three pro-
tests were filed, but received little atten-
ton. The committeeman thought Dundee
and certain territory Immediately surround
ing the location of the viaduct should pay
part of the damages but the city attorney
doubted II this plan could be carried out.
Finally the committee on viaducts was
directed to confer with the county COM
missioners and ascertain If they will be
agreeable to standing part of the expense.
Plans for a proposed viaduct over the
tracks Of the Great Western at Mason
street were approved and thencouncll win
pcss a proper ordinance for a7ipermanont
viaduct at that point. iH'
Rome Miller, T. j. o'Rrien. Harry
Fischer, Fred Fitch, S. Arion Lewis and
seI eral councilmen had a merry time argu-
ing what ought to be done with the garh-
age, ashes, tin cans, glass, old shoes, fish
bones, ancient hat shapes. discarded sox,
soggy paper, cobwebs and other things
that are accommodating about the p%urlieus
of the city. DIR. Council, as the official
adviser on garbage and It's concomltants,
also took a modest part in the tossing of
boquets.
May Yet be Solved.
The clock went around once, and once
again, while the talk flowed on. The COM
mjttee had nothing before 1t to act on and
at the end the seething question rested
just where it was left a week ago. After
the meeting dissolved the councllmen quite
agreed, in an unofficial way, that the only
method Of solving the puzzle, temporarily,
is to proceed TO receive bids for garbage
gathering In eight districts into which the
city will be divided for one year. During
the twelve months 1t is hoped to reach an
agreement for a permanent system Of
gathering and disposal OF garbage and
refuse.
Big results from little Bee want ads.