Omaha daily bee., 1915-05-11
M'GOVERN REFUSES
TO GIVE UP SEAT
Dahlman is Again Mayor of This
Crty-Ben Baker to Represent
McGovern in Contest.
HERB DANIEL FOR JARD1NE

Floral and verbal bouquets,
laughter and tears, election of Com
missioner McGovern by Commits
sioner-elect Jardine from the office
of the department of public improve
b, ments, confirmation of Mayor DAHL
man for another term in the execu-
tive chair, pledges of support for the
upbuildtRg of a Greater Omaha, were
features Of the reorganization of the
city council.
The removal OF Commissioner Nc
Govern by his successor was a
friendly affair and was arranged to
preserve the LEGAL rights of the de-
feated commissioner. Shortly after
City Clerk Flynn read the call for
the meeting, Commissioner Meow
ern moved that he be recognized as
one of the commissioners and that
Mr.. Jardine's name be stricken from
the roll.
Elects McGovern.
CITY Attorney Rine advised the council
that only those holding election GER
tificates could be recognized. Mr.. Jar
dine held such a certificate issued by the
election commissioner ana based upon the
showing OF the official canvass, which
gave Jardine thirty-four votes over Nc
Govern, who will ask for a recount. Mr..
McGovern retained his seat during the
council meeting and as soon as the
meeting was adjourned returned to his
office and went through the formality of
acting as commissioner. Mayor Dahlman
escorted Commissioner-elect Jardine to
Mr.. McGoVern's office and facetiously in
troduced Mr. Jardine. to Mr.. NcGovern
The contestants for this office then chat
ted alone for a while and after having
agreed on a procedure, Mr. McGovern
submitted to Mr.. Jardine leading him to
the hall. which constituted a legal ejec-
, ton. Mr.. McGovern promised Mr., Jar
dine support in case, that the recount
should confirm the latters election.
Mr.. McGovern has retained b. S. Baker
as legal counsel to watch the recount,
while Mr.. Jardine Will be represented by
Herbert S. Daniel.
A feeling of good will prevailed during
the passage of the old council and the
advent Of the new organization. Com
missioner Ryder took his usual seat when
the old council was convened and grace
fully retired in favor of John C. Drexe
when the new roll call was reached. with
Mr.. McGovern there were eight members
present at the first meeting of the new
council.
Dahlman Made Mayor.
AS had been predicted. Mayor Dahl
man was unanimously selected to sue
coed himself and the other reelected
commissioners were retained in their old
departments, with Walter S. Jandine as
signed to the department of public inn
provements. and John C. Drexel, to the
department of street cleaning and maia-
tenance.
The departments reassisned to the five
reelected commissioners were: Mayor
Dahlman, public affairs; Commissioner
Butler. public accounts and finances;
Commissioner Hummel. parks and boule-
wards; Commissioner Withheld, fire. wa
ter and building; COMMISSIONER -Kugel,
police and sanitation. In addition to the
street department., Commissioner Drexel
wifi have charge OF the public library,
which work has gomez with his depart
ment for three years.
brought up, Commissioner Jardine moved
that Commissioner Hummel be made
mayor and he was seconded by Commits
sioner Drexel. Commissioner Hummel at
once gained the floor and declared en-
phatcally that during the campaign he
expressed himself in favor of Mr.. Dahl
man for mayor and had experienced no
change OF heart.
Doesn't Want to he Mayor.
was not swelled up at all by the
big vote 1 received" stated Commissioner
Hummel. Il have no mayoralty bump.
II anybody here thinks that the mayors
job is a snap, just let him follow the
mayor around for a while. Omaha needs
for mayor a man who can serve as an
entertainer and we have such man just
now. Just, think. the mayor has to go
to picnics and fill up on frozen fruits ana
ice cream and then be on the job next
day. Not for me. There are many other
details Of the office which make a de-
mand upon the nervous system of a
man. have tried to make the parks q
homo for the poor man and his family.
We need a charter that will place VS. in
class with other cities. / expect we
will have large bond issue some day
for park and boulevard development"
he added.
Flynn for CITY Clerk.
After the assignment of the commits
sioners were made, City Clerk Flynn was
reappointed for three years. Three years
ago Mr.. Flynn was nearly forgotten in
the rush of reorganization Comptroller
Mcdonald was confirmed for three years.
The council adopted the present rules
and resolved to meet at o'clock every
Tuesday morning as formerly. The ooun-
ell chamber was crowded and the COM
missioners' long table was a garden of
beautiful flowers.
May BE ChanEesa
The commissioners were in executive
conference in the afternoon for consid-.
Grafton of appointive offices. There are
indications OF prospective changes In the
offices of license inspector. city prose-
cutor and inspector Of weights and meas
unes.
The departments OF police and SANTA
tion and fire and building are under civil
service, which makes changes possible
only upon filing of charges. Commits
sioners Kugel and Withheld Of those de-
partments say they contemplate no
changes.
Commissioner Drexel announces he will
retain Dean Noyes. who is foreman of
the asphalt repair work. and he will keep