Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-11
BRUNINC KEEPS HIS DATE
Reveals Secrets of Republican Caucus
to Democratic Colleague.
UNDERSTANDING NOW IN EFFECT
KenBard Finally Agrees TO support
BruninE if He VIII ~ TrniuOr
Good Place, and BruninE
Answers Monday.

Fred Bruning. republican county commits
sioner, who denied being In collision with
the democrats on the board, attended the
secret caucus OF the republican members
and upon adjournment divulged every
thing that transpired at the caucus to Os-
car J. Pickard, democratic county COM
missioner.
Mr.. Bruning. earlier in the day denied to
q reporter for The Bee that he was In a
rtie-up" with the democrats. Mr.. Packard
also, earlier in the day, told a reporter for
The Bee that I'VE have an understanding
with Mr.. Bruning." 1t is supposed that this
understanding must have already been
in effect and contemplates on Mr.. Brun-
ing's part disclosures to his democratic
confederates Of all the confidential rela-
tions transpiring between the republican
members at any meetings OF caucuses
prior as well as subsequent to the reor-
ganization OF the board.
The secret aucus OF republicans was
held in the commissioners room at the
court house yesterday afternoon. As soon
as it adjourned Mr.. Bruning went to the
Owl drug store at Sixteenth and Harvey
streets. where he unbosomed himself of all
the secrets to Mr.. Packard.
The other members of the board who par
AlARbNN ia ~ C6aNho OboCA ~ NNS SShh0
to disclose nothing of what took place.
only Three Mt the Caucus.
The caucus was attended by Commits
sioners Kennard, Trainor and Bruning.
The commissioners talked over the chair
manship for an hour when Mr.. Bruning
emerged, put on his coat and started down
the street. Before he had walked a half
block Commissioner Pickard fell into step,
as though by prearranged signal and the
two went to the drug store.
They wanted to name the committees /
should appoint" Mr.. Burning told Mr..
Pickard, the they meaning Commission
ers Kennard and Trainor, but l told them
that there was no use in being chairman If
| could not appoint my own committees. l
simply told them that 1 was standing pat
that 1 wanted to be chairman and that II
[ was reelected 1 would treat the demo-
Gratis with equal fairness to the repub-
leans"
When reminded Of the fact that IL Com
missioners Kennard and Trainor combined
their votes on Trainor he, Bruning, would
have to look to the democrats for support,
Mr.. Bruning said that that made no diff
ference, he did not care who voted Tor him,
just so he was elected.
KennRrd Backs TratnOr'
In the caucus Commissioners Kennard and
Trainor put 1t plainly to COMMISSIONS
Bruning that the Craftsmanship r~ightfully
should go to Mr.. Trainor this year, as he
had never had 1t, whereas Mr.. Bruning was
chairman once before. Mr.. Bruning. how
ever, declared that 1t made no difference
with him, that he wanted the chairman
ship this svear and that Mr.. Trainor could
have It next year.
They then asked him about the commit
tees and pointed out that the republicans,
being in the majority, should have the most
important committees. though, of course,
maintaining that the democrats should not,
by any means, be ignored in the slightest
degree.
In reply TO this Mr.. Bruning implied that
he would give the craftsmanship of the
committee on roads and bridges to Pickard,
and the craftsmanship of the committee on
court house construction and on the county
hospital to Bedford. also democrat This
would leave the committees on the deten-
ton schools, charities, claims, Judiciary and
such to the republican members.
Finally COMMISSIONS Kennard. the retir-
ing chairman. came out plainly and said:
"Mr. Bruning, IL you will concede to Mr..
Trainor the craftsmanship of some import
ant committees as he asks, which is no
more than fair in the event that he con-
cedes to you the craftsmanship of the whole,
l will vote for you for chairman"
well, I'll think It over and let you know
Monday said Mr.. Bruning, with a smile,
and he left to keep his tryst with the DEM
ocratic members.