Omaha daily bee., 1915-02-18
SENATE FILE NO.O
HAVING ROCKY TIME
Saunders Bill Doesn't Have Very
Clear Way Through the Sen.
ate at Lincoln.
BOSS HOWELL TO THE RESCUE

tFrom a staff Correspondent
LINCOLN, Feb. 17.-(Special )--Senate
file No. is in danger. This was shown
last night and this morning by the frantic
efforts Of r. y. Howell. the Omaha water
board boss. who. in his efforts to build
up political machine in Omaha, has
been working most OF the night and all of
The day to bolster up what is said TO be
a rapidly declining sentiment in favor Of
his bill to allow the water district to
go into the electric lighting business.
He has been aided in his efforts by
Bob Druesedow, a Douglas county house
member, and the two have spent much
time buttonholing the members in and
out OF session, in an effort 20 stem the
tide. Senator Saunders Of Omaha. who
introduced the bill and draws down the
Eat salary OF $500 year on the pay
roll OF the water board was In constant
consultation with his chief, Mr.. Howell
who on a leather cushioned divan on
the north side OF the senate chamber.
directed his forces.
Howell Not Registered.
Howell is not registered as lobbyist,
hut is taking advantage OF the fact that
he Is an ex-member TO 80 inside the dead
line and harangue the members at all
times Roll cali, consideration OF bills,
or season OF prayer makes no differ
ence to the water board boss. state busi-
ness must step one side and the Omaha
water board electric Hght bill must have
the center OF the stage.
II is said that the boss has made a
tieup with his namesake. Senator Howell,
-. ~ akuN ~
understanding has been effected that ~
the water board-electric light bill goes
through, the senator Is TO have the sup
port OF the water board. boss and his
gang for city commissioner at the Omaha
election this spring in the metropolitan
city.
Making It Party Measure.
The cause has become so fraEzled that
Il Is told that Boss Howell has tried TO
bolster up his cause by telling republican
senators that the bill is strictly a party
measure. OF course he expects that 90 not
reach the ears Of members Of the demo-
cratic majority. who might be persuaded
10 vote for the pfII. nut is hoping to get
enough republican votes TO add to what
democrats Senator Howell can muster 10
win out.
Some OF the senator's who are strongly
for municipal ownership are beginning TO
see a Niger In the woodpile. and ono Of
them has said that tho Howell-Howell
scheme looks 10 him like an effort to
work the municipal ownership propagation
in the interests Of a big individual po-
lhicai machine.
Some OF the senators are beginning TO
wonder why one lobbyist Is any better or
should be given more privileges than
another. There has not been a lobbyist
this session In their estimation who has
bothered the members 80 much as this
man Howell. and they wonder by what
peculiar halo OF glory he should consider
II beneath him TO register as q lobbyist
according 10 law any more than any
other citizen Of the great stats OF Ne
braska.
II is said that Mr.. Howell gives NJ his
reasons for not registering that he regis
tered two years aso and made a mistake
By doing 20. and one unfeeling member
has made the remark that that was not
the only mistake Mr.. Howell has made
In his frantic efforts TO DO . boss.