Omaha daily bee., 1919-10-15
Legislature Hears Governors
Message and Receives Meas
ures to Repair Damage to
Court House in Omaha.
BILLS WILL GO To. THEIR
( SECOND READING TODAY
Then Legislature Will Adjourn
and Body Of Members Will
Visit Riot Scene-Police and
Charter Bills introduced.

invitation of the Omaha Chamber of
Commerce to visit Omaha, view the
runs of the burned court house and
take dinner with the business men of
the city this afternoon over the pro-
test of Representative Jerry How
ard of Douglas county, who init
mated that as far as he was con-
cerned he would accept nothing in
the way Of favors from the Chamber
OF Commerce or from the governor.
Sleeping accommodations in the
mansion had been offered members
who otherwise were threatened with
having to sleep out under the blue
sky or hike to the country and crawl
under the sheltering wing of a hay
stack.
Just as it looked as if there were
pretty good prospect Of the invita-
ton being accepted Representative
Peterson of Lancaster county moved
to adjourn, claiming that the joint
session could transact no other busi-
ness than the one for which they
were called -together-to hear the
AAASS1oSN "a liS SSFSAAols
Dazed by Snap Work.
As a motion to adjourn is always
in order. the motion was put and
carried unanimously, the members
who had been in favor of the trip
appearing to be 50 dazed by the
quick work of Peterson that they
forgot to vote.
The joint session was called to or.
der by, Lieutenant Governor Bar
rows and committee appointed to
notify the governor that the session
was ready. to hear what he had to
say, The governor appeared and de-
llvered his message as follows:
9 McKelvie's Message.
Gentlemen of the Legislature in
Extraordinary Session Assembled:
II have summoned you in extraordi-
mary session at this time for the pur-
pose Of considering questions that
will enable Douglas county at this
time, and other communities under
similar cases of emergency, to re-
pair the damage that has been done
by an unforeseen force. Further
more, have brought to your atten-
tion certain amendments to the
Omaha charter, which will enable
that city to make some provisions
againstla recurrence of such catas-
trophe.
ut was with the utmost reluc-
tance that | decided to ask you, to
assemble upon this occasion, and my
action was delayed as long as it well
could be, but afteE quite full investi.
CATION it became apparent to me
that Douglas county was without
recourse in the matter of repairing
its court house and restoring its
records through any authority that
is given its officials at the present
time. Therefore, in the interests oi
the general welfare of one of the
principal communities of our com.
monwealth, l felt impelled to do the
only thing that seemed available as
source, of adequate relief.
No Recommendations.
y have no recommendations te
make regarding the form which The
legislation shall take to enable the
stricken community to repair it.
losses and provide against recur'
renee of such casualty. That is fol
you to decide, and ! have no doub
that the interests OF the taxpayer!
of Douglas county, as we'll as othel
communities which may avail them
selves Of the benefits of this legis
lation in the future, will be adequate
ly protected by whatever action yo,
| take.
These matters to which. hav,
referred are subjects for emergency
attention. Other subjects have no
been included for the reason tina
i they may wait until regular ses
sion has convened, and l feel tina
| with the public mind in the condi
ton of confusion and unrest, witt
which it is now possessed, it is IA
better to defer the consideration o
all but emergency Legislation until ;
more normal condition shall hav'
obtained.
| with Z assurance of my confden0
in the integrity of purpose and tn
good judgment which shall guild
You in your action throughout thi
| extraordinary session, and will
further assurances that | stand read.
to cooperate with you III every de
ksirable way in carrying out the pur
| poses Of the session, I commend t,
you the matters included in TIL
| formal proclamation"
/ The senate was called to orde
at 2 o'clock by Lieut.. Gov. P. A
Barrows. and the roll call showed II
absent. Later others came in, an
i THE session showed Ainlay, WIN
! lContia.ed On Page Two. Column Three.