Omaha daily bee., 1911-12-06
AFFAIRS AT SOUTH OMAHA
John Franek Displaced as Leader in
City Council.
DESERTED BY FORMER FRIENDS


| With the definite swiftness OF a light
ming stroke. strong. and seemingly inn
pregnable, political alliance was severed
last night when a majority OF the city
counoilmen rcpudisted the heretofore UNI
disputed leadership OF John Franek, presit
dent Of the council. Franek, Mat Pet
erson and George Hoffman. the newly
created minority. floated for while like
driftwood upon the waves OF debate and
then settled back sullenly upon the rocks
OF defeat. The only open admission made
BY the vahduished Was voiced by Franek
when he turned TO Councilman John Riha,
one OF the insurgents, With the words;
you've got one coming for this. Johnny"
/ The breaking up Of what was Known
as the big -Four" explains the inde-
! I ondont action that has characterized the
individuals of the new majority for some
weeks pasta Miller for months voted al
most alone on nearly every issue Of mo-
ment Recently Jack Walters was 70 be
| found voting contrary TO the minds Of
the erstwhie powers. Later Riha and
4 I'dm Peterson stepped into the open and
left Frapok, Hoffman aud Mat Peterson
deuuded Of a power that Its day had
| been vnninted' almost ihsolently In the
face OF a helpless minority.
starts over HydrRpt.
The battle opened when Hoffman and
F'raneR asked for ting location Of two
fire hydrants each. in their respective
districts. Hoffnan's resolution went
through with such celebrity that he him
self GU not realize II. In fact he began
TO argue IN favor OF the resolution which
/ had already passed and continued tho
! Fight until the mayor assured him that
/ the council "couid not move the hydrants
out there tonight" FrRnek came next
with a resolution similar TO that OF Hoff-
man. NThe engine reversed and Miller,
ttiha, Tom Peterson and Jack Walters
voted no. we should distribute these
accommodation and public eonveniences
equally" said RhR as he registered his
vote. .,
Franek gasped at ihe public flouting
/ OF his leadership and came back with a
! resolution that the city council grade or
appropriate or do something to a sixty
! five-foot hill at Missouri avenue and
| Fourteenth street To be exact he asked
that the street be opened through the
hin in southerly. direction. Lay Il
over for week." said Miller. Franek
| smiled as Miller rose That was an old
story TO him-Milers opposition. The
new story was read in moment. when
Tom Peterson. John Riha, and Jack
| walters again supported Miller against
] FraneR and his faithful satellites. Hoff-
/ man ana Mat Peterson.. fl
Approve Hose Purchase.
And then when the newly discovered
I A.. -. A..
\ was something wrong rom Peterson rose
\ In his place and calmly read u resolution
| approving the purchase OF 1000 feet of
4 fire hose bought and accepted by Chief
OF the Fire Department John McKaie
and voting the sum Of 1900 for the cost
thereof. There was the perfunctory mega
tive registered by Franek. Hoffman and
Mat Peterson. but the resolution could
not be blocked and the new quartet
smiled as they settled back IN their
chairs. F' '.s
There were other surprises also In the
meeting last night. Mayor Treinor,. who
took little or no part. IN the debate,
watched with interest the flash OF parlia-
mentary rapisrs and the disintegration
OF combination that has consistently
been opposed to him on many OF the live
l00GNANlie AnAA NhNN NhHAN w AbA. abiuAANl
during his administration.
Unlike his usual mild guidance. the
mayor last night held a tight rein upon
the unruiy ones and his decisions were
not once contested after he had uttered
them. When adjournment had been
taken the mayor remarked; Hereafter
Chief OF Police Briggs will be present at
the council meetings and we viii have
/ M ohaAtauaa n ha rtttaa
other things the mayor declared that the
familiar method Of passing" a vote
woAld be discontinued. "A member will
vote or get out" said the mayor.
Nothing Elise of lmpOrS. -.
Besides the political eataclysm in the
local ring, the meeting held little OF Inn
portance. Upon the representation OF a
committee from the Associated Charities
the council increased the monthly con-
tribution Of the city from $50 to S75 the
increase TO cease after five months.
Tom Peterson introduced resolution
compelling the city engineer to have the
stakes removed from the newly paved
norton OF Thirty-nir8h street from O "a
streets. Peterson said that the pres,
ent condition OF the street laid tho city
open TO liability for accidents that might
occur. city Engineer Roberts, who haC
already received one reproof from Au.
gust Miller, demanded OF Peterson
Where will | get money 10 do THU
work." You will not need money" saiC
Peterson. ~ you get the contractors I,
10 their work properly"
Il was further agreed Ihat the fir,
: chief should hereafter ask a reaulsitlol
: rom the committee on fire ana waite
wherever any necesssrles were to be pur
chased
Coupeilmen Jack Walters aud Angus
Miller commenced the Introduction o
the new bookkeeping system. which tn
mayor had brought mp FOR discussion
From indications II appeared that th
new majority is in favor OF modernism
: the accounts OF the city, but out OF del
erenee 20 the apparent opposition OF SON
Of the council who thought different
a..
RRINlIFan nIAFhnF