Omaha daily bee., 1911-05-28
AFFAIRS AT SOUTH OMAHA
Councilman Miller Presents Problem
that Proves Poser.
SUGGESTS BOARD OF ARBITRATION


What promises 10 be one OF the most
sensational chapters in the history Of
South Omaha was opened Thursday after
noon in the council chamber. where Au-
gust Miller, republican representative from
the Fifth ward. has been summoned to
substantate the charges o. erooxedness
and dishonesty made by him against the
other members of the council Miller came
thanked by his attorneys Ringer and
Bednar.
The little councilman from the Fifth
opened the BAH by offering a resolution
to appoint a board Of arbitration consist
ing Of five members, two selected by each
side and the fifth TO he chosen BY the
first four. The resolution further speci-
fled that two of the members chosen should
not be residents Of the city and not di-
rectly interested in property in South
Omaha.
The motion Of Miller was put and failed
Of second. Taken by surprise, the re-
mainder OF the council spared for time
to prepare, and the sitting adjourned with
first blood TO Miller.
Interest Has Been Keen.
Since the original charges made by Miller
at a meeting of the city council two weeks
ago and the subsequent resolution of
Councilman ]. S. Walters of the First
ward asking that a date be set wherein
Miller should be called upon to substantiate
his charges before the council expectancy
has been keen. II was not however ex-
pected that the matter would eveutuate
seriously. On the face Of it the resolution
OF Mr.. walters could mean nothing more
than a public protest against the truth Of
n hn civ ~
according to the city charter. has not the
right to try one Of its own members. But
the feeling OF mild expectancy gave place
to one Of keenest interest Thursday after
noon when the corridors began to fill with
spectators.
The very air of the council chamber was
electrical when ]. P. Breen. attorney for
the Sarco Mineral Rubber company of Chi
cago, walked across the room and took a
chair within the railing reserved for mem
bers and the press. Two court stenogra-
piers took their places at the press table
and waited They were W. s Hellere
stenographer from Judge Days court and
c. c. Valentine stenographer to ]. p.
Breen of the paving company. Dean Ringer
of the firm of Ringer & Bednar asked the
attention Of the mayor and council immedi-
ately after Millers resolution failed Of
passage.
Lawyer Cites Charter.
Ringer began by citing the section of
the city charter relating to removal from
the office of councilman for malfeseance or
misfeseance in office. He showed how the
council had no judicial power whatsoever
in the case of a derelict member. Without
the power to try a member of a body sit
ting in judgment on its own actions, which
he said would be the case unless the coun-
Gil agreed to submit the matter to a dis
interested board
The Walters resolution citing Miller to
prove his charges II It means anything
means business" said Mr.. Ringer. I'VE
ask for a fair and just investigation and
no horseplay." The attorney concluded by
insisting that any or all members found
guilty before such a board Of arbitration
as proposed by the Miller investigation,
should upon convistion of the charges, re-
sign Immediately and forthwith
AT this point two members Of the council
who had not been present to hear the first
reading OF the Miller resolution, entered
the hall and Miller asked leave of the chair
TO re-read his resolution After reading II
he repeated his motion for a board of arhf-
traton, but again there was no second
The silence in the hall was for a moment
deathlike and there was no sound save the
scratching Of the court stenographers and
reporters as they entered their notes.
City attorney NIakea Statement,
Henry c. Murphy. city attorney OF South
Omaha. has given out the following state
ment In regard TO the financial situation:
The taxpayers Of the city are entitled 10
oe fully informed on all matters bearing
upon the local police situation The legal
department. has given the matter careful
consideration and from the outset has an
ncuneed that IL would not permit the polio,
propriate certain moneys which have been