Omaha daily bee., 1911-10-25
PETER ELSASSER MUZZLED
Democrats Accomplish Feat After
Long Sustained Struggle.
DECLARE HE TALKS TOO MUCH
During the Last Two Months the
Commissioners Has Been Con-
spicuOus by HIS DOciIe
silence

Muzzlng OF County Commissioner
Peter e. ElsRsser has been accomplished
by the democratic machine after a long
and at times seemingly hopeless struggle.
The explanation Is that oscar ]. Pick
ard, his democratic colleague seeking re-
election. was In desperate stralghts,
despite his claims that he was doing two
or throo mems work and wearing his
fingers to the bone In the service OF his
beloved county--despitc these claims
there was considerable murmuring about
Oscar. People were beginning to solve
his delivery; there were signs that his
game was about played out. This sad
state Of affairs largely was the result
OF the careless manner in which Mr..
Elsusser had discussed Mr.. Plckard and
his operations.
So the screws were put on Mr.. Eisasser,
During the last two months he has been
conspicuous by his doclle silence-almost
as conspicuous as he was during his first
months as commissioner by his free at
lacks upon Commissioner Pickard. Mr..
Elsasser says nothing naughty now, but
some Of the things he said before heroic
steps to muzzle him were taken bob up
with increasing frequency to worry Mr..
Pickard.
When the county board organized the
first Of the year Mr.. Bedford was made
chairman, succeeding the late turn-coat,
Fred Rruning. Mr.. PiclSard explained that
he didn't want to be chairman but could
have had the place II he had wanted Il.
The fact that as plain commissioner he
would have fewer chances to blunder and
pave the way for his defeat when he
should seek reelection had nothing to
do with the decision.
Opens Upon Picknrd.
The first regular meeting Of the new
board had been in progress for about
fifteen minutes when Mr.. Elsasser opened
up on Mr. Plckard. lie charged the
squsnderins of $2Oo,O3) or thcreabouts by
he honorable chairman OF roads and
bridges. Mr.. Pickard was annoyed and
deeply hurt The idea OF anyone's sug-
sesting that he could make mistake.
At the next meeting Mr. Elsnsser was
armed with figures. lie fired a few more
broads,des into Mr.. Pickard lie kept It
up for months and months. There were
! conferences of the democrats to devise
ways and means for putting the muffler
on Pete" lie was denied the privilege
- LieHliiib tltiplpSN0 dN TIC NouIA IOuSti
though Il should have been his as chair
man of the court house committee.
Mr.. Eisasser got TO telling newspaper
reporters about dolnBs of Commissioners
| Bedford, O'Connor and Packard in regard
to the new county building This in
creased the ire OF the democratic commss-
sloners with whom pete" refused TO
'jins-"
Pete Ia Given Advice.
When Architect John Latenscr wanted
20 tell the commissioners that a sub
contractor had gained 1890 by inducing
he board 10 make a concession the demo
Gratis made the meeting an executive one
When the facts were published Pete
was blamed and again advised that The
talked too much"
pete" stood out against changing OF
The marble contract. which saved thou.
sands Of dollars TO Caldwell & Drake
The general contractors. He told every
one why he opposed the change anc
again he was jumped upon for talltins
| too much.
But Pete" IS little more than the
shadow OF his once belllcose self. Last
Saturday he was presiding when South
omaha annexation was under considera.
ion. Mr.. Bedford expressed his desir-
that the boar dtake recess and go into
star chamber session ana the obedient
| Glsasser ordered the recess without even
calling for a vote.