Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1912-04-24
AFFAIRS AT SOUTH OMAHA
City Attorney Will Test Validity of
Charter Amendments.
THINKS MANY MAY BE VOID
Fire and Police Board Cut Down
Forces Ia order to Stay withtn
the Appropriations, Mem
bers Decfa~s.


City Attorney Ii. C. Murphy will leava
for Lincoln Wednesday morning In order
to investigate the records OF the charter
amendments which are now believed in
valid Since tho decision OF the court
nullified the amendment relating 10 the
three-yea term OF office because II was
found that the law had been engrossed in
the charter without ever having been
passed. there has existed a strong doubt
as to the validity OF the other amend
ments. Indeed, several well-informed
attorneys. including the ones who inval-
dated the other amendments. have dis
tlnetly said that the remaining amend
monis could be invalldated with as much
ease as was the term OF office extension.
City Attorney Murphy's office while de-
termined to test the passage of tina
amendments. does not expect TO find
that they will prove of any greater va
lidlty than the ones already declared
void. In order to prevent any doubt
the c : attorneys office will investigate
the matter thoroughly.
IL the amendments arc found 10 be
equally void there will result reductions
in the salaries Of several officials. tn
GLIDING the chiefs of the fire and police
departments. The park board will be
compelled TO operate upon q t25oo basis
instead Of a s. 900 one. Contracts for paw
ing and grading will be tied up. and the
city treasuTers office will come directly
under the control Of the city council so
far as extra help Is concerned. This will
mean the loss of one man from the office
force. unless the council decides TO con-
tinue the present force.
/ As TO the further results that will come
from the lnyalidatlon Of the charter, J.
NJ. Tanner and Jim Bulla, democratic
candidates for the senate and house. re-
spectively. will have TO answer to the
voters at the coming election for having
made q muddle OF the charter amend
ments and placed the city In position
that will mean a complete paralysis OF
public improvements In this city. Both
men are candidates for reelection.
Cutting Police Force.
The drastic action Of tho Fire and
Police board in order to stay within
the appropriation has caused a good deal
Of comment among the men. WIN have
suffered and their friends. Practically
the whole city will suffer as the result
of ourtailing the police force as with
twenty-five men II was found hard 10
patrol the city properly. Now with only
sixteen officers city Of 5000 people
will have to be satisfied.
II is charged that among the raen laid
off politics played no small part Prac-
tichlIy every republican, on HE police
force was included in the number 90
those suspended. The men laid off
include:
Captain Henry Elrelder, Night Desk
Sergeant Mike Coreoran. Patrol Driver
A. Smith and Patrolmen Charles Nor
ton, Ed kroeger, John Scott. Thomas
Quinn and William Coulter
Sergeant Cornoran refused to consider
the lay-off and turned in his star
II is understood that those laid off Will
be reinstated at the end OF the ums
designated.
city Case Decided.
After q long litigation. City Attorney
Murphy received word yesterday that the
supreme court had affirmed the dea slca
Of the lower court. giving the city the
right to tax property from Thirteenth TO
Twenty-fourth on Missouri avenue. The
case Of Carlson against the cityS Of
Omaha questioned the right of the city
to levy taxes for the pavement Of the
street. A lower court decided in favor
Of the city and now a later decision Of
the supreme court makes assurance
doubly sure.
Miller Sues for Assault.
The day after election August met his
neighbor, Kruger, on the street and, II
is said. accused him OF not supporting
him for mayor. and that the members OF
his family had torn up his nice election
cards, which did not do him a bit OF
good. One word led to another until
August is alleged TO have threatened his
neighbor with large club. This so ir-
ritated Kruger that he started after
August and chased him around the block
two or three times. In crossing l. street
August jumped directly in front OF
erosstown car and narrowly missed get
ting run Over. In the excitement he sue
oeeded in getting into his store and bar
Reading the doors and had the con-
stable serve Kreuger with papers.
Magic City Gossip.
wanted-GoOd psperhangers. Tel. Jay
Trap. South 1fS.
Four-room cottage. newly papered,
corner Thirty-fifth and Y. Rent &C.
Because OF arbor day the city council
held no session yesterday afternoon.
For Rent-5-room cottage. gas and
water; good condition 18th and Missouri
Ave.
Mrs n Blanchard Of ST. Joseph. No,
is the guest Of her daughter. Mrs Burt
Anderson.