Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-01-29
MERGER OF CITIES
IS THEME OF TALK
BEFORE SENATORS
Delegation from Omaha and Its
Suburbs Presents Both Sides of
Annexation Problem to
Upper House.
BREEE EXPLAINS MEASURE
Insists that Arguments in Favor Of
Plan Will Offset Demonstra-
g, tion Made.
OPPOSITION MAKES PROTEST
tFrom a staff correspondent.l }

e. (from a staff Consequently
LINCOLN, AIN. 2S.-(Special. >
''We come not with the waving Of
flags, or the beating Of drums or the
shouts of peaple," said John Paul
Breen, In opening the argument for
a Greater Omaha in the hearing be-
fore the committee on municipal
corporations in the senate this after
noon, "but with facts to present to
this committee OF men who will not
be swayed by demonstrations of this
kind, but will look into the matter
from the broad stand of lawmakers" I"
The senate chamber was crowded to
the doors when, after theopening cere-
monies of the senate the body adjourned
and Chairman Howell of the committee
! on municipalities took the chair. He an
nounced that speakers against annexa-
tion would speak first and would be
given one hour in which ten minute
speeches could be given. The opposition
were given an hour also, after which the
antl-snnexationists closed their argument
in a half hour speech and the other eide
closed in the same way
The committee took the bill under ad-
Nisement, arriving at no decision.
Before the hearing began James Walsh
Ali Given Chance.
of Benson asked that officeholders be
deprived OF the right to speak, but he
was ruled out while the crowd in the
gallery applauded loudly.
Charles Haffke, deputy county attor-
1T.
annexation, said Benson was unanimous
against the bill Benson is five miles
from the Omaha postoffice and has moth
ing In common with the large CITY," said
he. Largo meetings of Benson citizens
had met and protested against annexa-
tion. A crowd Of fifteen Benson men had
declared that they were for annexation
and that they represented the Benson
Commercial club. but not one of them
had paid their dues. I'VE have many
things that Omaha has. We have saloons
and we propose to keep them" said he in
closing. \
On Behalf OF Dundee.
J. J. Dodds Of the Dodds Lumber COM
pany of Dundee said that Dundee was
in a position where every dollar paid ip
was spent In Dundee. He--said- that
Omaha already had additions on the
north and south which had been clamor-
ing for recognition in. the way of walks,
paving. fire protection. etc, but could
not get 1t, and he thought they better
take care of what they already had in
stead of taking in more territory.
Annexation has not been asked for
by either Omaha or South Omaha" said
ID. L. Johnson. an attorney of Dundee.
but a few self-constituted patriots have
taken up the matter"
The galleries, which had become most
Nociferous in their applause, were ad-
anonished by Chairman Howell that time
was limited and that applause would cut
no figure In the deliberations of the COM
mittee.
q La johnson, a Dundee attorney; K.
NJ. Morgan, city attorney OF Florence; c,
j. Sotharn. a South Omaha attorney; s.
A. Lewis of Dundee. w. H. Thompson OF
Florence and one or two others spoke
against annexation along the lines OF
other speakers and County Commissioner
A. c. Harte, who said he lived on a strip
of land between South Omaha and Dun
dee, said he did not want to farm in the
city.
Breen Explains Bill.
"For Gods sake. gentlemen" said he.
''dont drive the farmer out of business"
John Paul Breen. an attorney of
Omaha, opened the argument for the an
nexationists. He said that this city came
to the hearing with the friendliest of
spirits. with no drum beating or no flags
flying and with no buster hTe bill