Omaha daily bee., 1911-10-08
CITY AND RAILROADS CONFER
Missouri Pacific Officials Agree 10
Begin Some Viaduct Work Soon.
NICHOLAS STREET AT ONCE
Locust street structure f. 90 start
In the spring and the Dodge
street as soon NJ out
of Court.

The city council Friday afternoon met
with Vice President PlerEon. General At
torney WagRener. r. a. Brogan, local
attorney. General superintendent De-
Bornadi. General Agent LOTUS and AS
sstant Chief Engineer Smith Of the Mis-
siouri Pacific Railroad company and two
hours were spent in threshng over via
duct matters. The final outcome was
that II was practically decided that work
upon the Nicholas street structure will
begin within thirty days that the Locust
street viaduct Will wait until next spring
and nothing will be done with reference
TO the bridge along Dodge street where
It crosses the Belt line tracks until after
the decision OF the court OF appeals,
which IL expected some time In Decem-
Der.
In addition to the foregoing, the city
attorney and the local attorney for the
road We're requested to get together and
formulate some plan TO settle the ques-
ton OF damages that may arise from the
closing OF Nicholas and Locust streets,
this plan 20 be reported back TO the
council Monday afternoon, when that
body sits as a committee OF the whole.
Bailey waggener Of Atchison, Kan,
general attorney for the Missouri Pacific,
started the bali rolling by suggesting that
the city and the road ought to get to-
gether The only objection that the Mis-
souri, Pacific had to the construction Of
the viaducts was the fact that II would
insist upon doing away with grade cross
ings He stated that everything was In
readiness to begin work on the Nicholas
street structure; that the company
wanted an extension OF time until next
spring before beginning work on Locust
street and that nothing could we'll be
done out on Dodge street until the court
OF appeals had passed upon the case,
which is now pending before that body.
Attorney Waggener pointed out that at
this time the Missouri Pacific is con-
fronted with a S5.2O0,OO0 deficit but that
regardless OF this II is willing to go on
with the Nicholas street viaduct and
complete II with all possible speed. He
laid considerable stress upon the necessity
OF doing away with grade crossings at
all vladucts to be erected In the future
Vice President Plerson pointed to the
financial embarrassment of the Missouri
Pacific, referring to the fact that II has
deficit Of 100000 and at the same time
the falling off in business as compared
with some OF the former years Is about
IS, 900. OO0 The funds for Improvements OF
the road he said have been limited, but
Notwithstanding this during the last
year the company has expended sbOO,OOO
in rebuilding the line between Omaha
and Kansas City. He added that the COM
pany sought to make Omaha one Of its
greatest terminals, giving II tram
service that would be unequalled
Mr.. Brogan for the railroad company
raised the point that the street railway
company on account Of having the right
to use the Locust and Dodge street Via
| ducts should be compelled TO stand
portion OF the cost. He, like the other
railroad men. objected TO the grade cross
| ings at the viaducts, designating them as
dangerous.
city Attorney Rine took the position
that II the grade crossings were dom
away with the city would be forced q
pay heavy damages to the owners q
property abutting the viaducts.
Councilman Sheldon assured the com
pany officials that the council desired t.
| be fair with the railroad, but that the
city had waited two and onee-half years
| for the Nicholas street viaduet and that
] additional delays in this and other VIA
ducts should not be permitted.