Omaha daily bee., 1911-02-25
AFFAIRS AT SOUTH OMAHA
Commercial Club Has Controversy
with Street Car Company.
PAVING AND TRANSFER SYSTEM
President wsttIes sends Ordinance
which Councu auietiy Pigeon
hoIes--scheoI Eiection May Ne
Pet orr year.

q conference with Senator sonn ~. Tanner
ana Representative James Bulla with q
view 10 having an amendment inserted In
the charter to give effect 20 the sentiment
Of the community as reflected by the feel
ing OF the club
Until two years ago the city had this
power. Then an amendment TO the exist
ing laws was made which relieved the
street car company Of this obligation and
added increased expense to the street main
tenance account. This aspect Of the ques-
ton and other considerations have led 70
the general undercurrent Of dissatisfaction
among the citizens which had its outcome
In the action OF the Commercial club yes
terday afternoon.
Transfer Question Unsettled.
The club also considered the question Of
granting transfers by the cross-town line.
This IL a matter that has been before II
for weeks and there has been communics-
ton with Mr.. Watties. president OF the
Omaha Council Bluffs Street Car COM
pany. both by letter and by deputation.
Some weeks ago an ordinance was trans
mitted TO the city council by the street
car company 81 to the regulation Of trans
fers and with view to checking the user
Of transfers for round trips. That or
dinance was read once. but has never since
been reported out Of committee. q typical
illustration. It might be said. OF the feeling
OF the community toward the company.
Since that ordinance was received there
has been no communication between Mr..
Wattlea and the club. That was the reply
given by ting secretary to one OF the mem
bers yesterday afternoon.
During the discussion Il was pointed out
that President Watties had given his word
last January. before the cross-town line
was stratsd-pledged his word to the Com
msrcial club and the business men Of the
city ct the exohange--that II the then OPP
position to that line was withdrawn uni
versal transfers would be granted at
Twenty-fourth and N streets; that the OPP
position had been Withdrawn. but that once
the cross-town line was inaugurated Twen-
ty-fourth and vinton was made the trans
fer point and that all efforts since had
| failed to get transfers issued at Twenty
fourth and n streets. II was stated that
since then the business OF the city haa
been suffering.
The secretary Of the club, Earl 3. Brown.
was directed TO communicate again with
President Wattles, state these facts and
inform him that unless he fulfilled his
promise he need not again look TO either
the Commercial club or the business peo-
pie OF South Omaha for support
| With regard to the question OF the main
tenance OF the pavement between and on
each side Of the street car tracks. Attorney
\ A. II. Murdoch will draw up the amend
msnt TO the charter which viii be ready
for consideration by Senator Tanner and
Representative Bulls Sunday morning
school Board Election.
A peculiar situation Is developing In re-
gard to the school board election. The pri
mRries will be held February Is and the
election April 4. But bill has been intro
duced into the legislature making the tern
OF office Of the members OF the school board
four years instead OF three. as at present
and providing that there shall be no cleo
tion this year. Although the bill IL In.
ciuded In the emergency list. It Is difficult
20 see how the primary election can b,
avoided, and It certainly will not pass with
out protest judging by the feeling dis
played at the meeting OF the Commercial
club yesterday afternoon.
The bill. as mentioned. carries with It I
prOiongation Of the term Of the present
administration for another year and It d
upon this point that the kick Is raised, ane
by others than the Commercial club vii
the bill, II It be passed be passed in tim,
20 save the expense Of an election, is III,
question many are asking; and, II the bill
be against public sentiment in its lengthen
ing OF the term OF office. will Il, II Il b,
killed, carry with Il IN les demise the propo
sition for the appointment Of a secretar,
who shall not be q member OF the boart
and who shall have full care OF the &C
countsY This was one proposition upo,
which the charter committee and the repre-
sentatives of the school board were unani
mously agreed.
J FrOm the PoIiticaI Aspect.
From the point Of view Of politics IN.
school board election also raises some in
teresting issues. and probably this may b,
a reason why the present democratic ad
ministraiion Is not anxious 70 face IN.
, voters just now There is little doubt tina
! the head Of the democratic ticket win h
Rudolph Yechout, the present chairman a
J the board. and II that be the outcome o
the primaries there Is the prospect Of
keen political struggle between the Irisl
and Bohemians, which win be remifascen
OF the general election last spring
The feeling OF resentment q Is strong M,
as Il was last spring, when BIN oueena,
came out second on the ballot 70 Afsvo
! Trainer. and there are threats OF reprisa
when the day for the election OF the thre
members OF the school board comes aroma
Theatera' Fire Protection.
Mayor Trainer IL taking active steps L
have the city ordinances In regard TO tn
overcrOwding OF theaters and the pro
vision Of effective safeguards against Dir
enforced and observed. Yesterday, In con
sequence OF certain matters that had hesa
brought under his notice. he made a Der
sonal inspection OF some Of the places o
entertainment and ordered changes MAD
that viii help insure the safety OF the pub
lie.
Ny attention was called" said tn
mayor, TO this question by the improve
I nents that are being made at the Bess
, theatsF. They are erecting a balloon
> there, and In consequence OF what wa
conveyed 70 me and the building inspecto
. We made an examination Of the plac,
! We found that IN its architectural cor
D structi0n Il did not quite comply with N
d city ordinances a. regards the safety q
the public. ! saw the architect ana h
! agreed to provide exits from this balcon,
D Il am also Informed" continued II
: mayor. that they allow people 70 stan
} ! In the aisles and I am goinR "a So IN