Omaha daily bee., 1909-12-01
NEW LIGHTING CONTRACT UP
Will be Formally Introduced in
Council Tonight.
COUNCnMEN 60 AHEAD SLOWLY
y~Sarbags Gathering and It's Odorous
PecuIiarities Subject of Debate
I'm Council ommIttee OF
the whole.

Councilman Sheldon brought forward The
proposed new lighting ordinance. carrying
a contract with the Omaha Electric Light
COMPANY for a period Of five years from
December 81 at the meeting OF the city
council committee OF the whole Monday
afternoon. 1t was read at length, talked
over extensively, and then filed, to be
replaced by an ordinance Of better verbinge.
This will be read for the first time Tues
day evening at council meeting after which
copies will be furnished the councilmen
for careful examination.
Mr.. sheldon explained the ordinance as
he read it. He said It is practically a
copy Of the agreement about to expira.
except that lights will be furnished the
city in it's streets and public places for a
flat rate Of $50 a lamp.
'This will be further reduced" he said
Ito a net figure Of $50 because Of the
3 per cent occupation tax, and that is
cheaper than any city in the country gets
fits lights, with the possible exception Of
Cleveland, o.. We have letters from thirty
eight different cities and you may exam.ne
a tabulated statement we have prepared Of
their replies to our inquiries"
The chairman OF the lighting committee
explained that the cost per lamp this year
is SIS, with a total rebate to the city Of
a little better than $4,000. Under the new
contract there will be no rebate, since the
occupation tax hits the company in COM
mon with other public service corpora
tions.
Concession on acknowledgements.
Both Mr.. Sheldon and President Nash
of the Electric Light company also dwelt
on the concession the company has made
TO let the city have its incandescent lights
for 6 cents per watt, instead OF s cents, the
present rate. Councilman F~unkhouser also
stated his belief the new contract is a
good thing for the city.
Mr.. Nash claimed the electric light com
pany has always treated Omaha with great
consideration in the matter of lighting
charges, making very little money on the
street lights, and losing a trifle on the
incandeescents because of furnishing the
globes. He insisted the $50 flat rate could
not be given for less than a five-year con-
tract.
Councilmen McGovern, Johnson, Hummell
and Berka were in a questioning mood,
and asked many times for Information. The
replies they got bore the appearance of
frankness and good intentions, but they
reserved the right to shake their heads
doubtingiy until until they have gone care
fully over the new ordinance when II
shows up.
Councilman Burmester voiced the thought
Of some of his colleagues, after the meet
ing. when he said that he objects to max
ing contracts that will run over the term
Of the present council II don't like this
cary-over plan" he said.
Talkfest on Garbage.
Garbage was the fare Of the committed
in a lengthy language feast. 1t had been
long since the members had enjoyed a
chance to chew on the waste food, and
some of them sailed In with little or nc
caution. Others, like the two kids of the
council. Schroeder and Davis, and the old
fox of the bunch, HummelL laid off to
see the effect on their vehement mates.
The stuff is still undigested.
Health Commissioner Connell bit a piece
right out Of the center when called into
the game, and Councilmen Berka and
Brueker cut in with vim. McGovern took
a SLY hand now and again, but to Berks
and Brucker was left the heavy end OF
the work.
you come on and show me where we
- can do anything with this mess and II
give in quoth Judge Berka TO the ju-
dicial-fronted Brucker. we simply cannot
turn over this new consignment of gar
bage law without giving away our whole
hand" he continued, and that we must
not do"
The city attorney and his assistants
showed you the inside of the whole box. d
retorted Brucker, when the assured tht
council the present garbage ordinance Il