Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-05-02
COM M|SSIONERS
v0TEI0 PAvE115
MILES OF R 0 AD
Discussion Wakes Hot in
Office Of Board; Prepare !.
Immediately to Hold
Special Election.

One hundred and fifteen miles OF
road in Douglas county were chosen
to be paved at a cost Of $3,000,0OO
after stormy meeting in the office
of the board of county commits
sioners yesterday afternoon.
County Attorney Shotwell has
been ordered I'd draw up the proc
lamation.
The commissioners went into con-
sultation Immediately with County
Attorney Shotwell to determine
just the steps to be taken for call
ing the special election.
Twenty freeholders must sign the
petition and then the election must
be advertised for 80 days. Every
thing will be rushed so that if the
bonds carry by the necessary three
fifths vote work on the paving can
be begun early this summer.
The roads to be paved are:
Lincoln highway from Fairacres
to county line.
Military highway from Benson to
county line.
Washington highway from Flor
ence to county line.
Q street from South Side to six
miles west of Millard.
Center street from the city to a
point directly north of Willard.
Benson road from Benson to a
point directly north of Willard.
Road 76, from Elkhorn south to
county line.
Road 81, from Willard north to
Military highway.
Road 60, connecting Bennington
with Military highway.
Road 48, from Irvington to the
northwest.
Road 9, from Florence northwest.
The bone of contention was Cen
ter street, which, according to the
plan presented was to be paved
from Road 70 to the Platte river, a
distance of seven and one-half miles.
There is no bridge at present across
the river at that point.
After stormy wrangle. and after
Commissioner Unit had made a
speech telling the crowd that the
commissioner and Chamber of Com
merce had agreed not to pave this
road until the bridge had been
placed, motion was made that the
commissioners pass resolution
stating that they will not pave the
six miles until the Platte river
bridge has been definitely located
at that point.
This motion carried unanimously
and brought a happy end to a meet
ing which threatened to result in a
deadlock.
w. B. Cheek, president Of the
Omaha Automobile club, presented
the paving plan to the audience,
He stated that, after long work,
these roads have been chosen to be
paved by the county commissioners,
Chamber of Commerce Real Estate
board, Rotary club and other bodies.
James Walsh made a motion that
the plan be adopted. 1t was put to
vote and was pronounced carried
by Chairman Neble. Charles W.
Martin demanded the floor and OBJ
jected to the six mile stretch of
road.
"How do we know that bridge
will be built" he demanded.
George Tunison made a speech IN
support of Mr.. Martins idea.
Cant you take our word for it
that we won't pave that road till
the bridge is built" shouted Com
missioner Unit.
Want it in writing said Mr..
Martin.
you don't know what you're
talking about and we do know what
we're talking about said Mr..
Cheek to Mr.. Martin. 1--WE know
that bridge will be built. All you
can see in this is your own petty
interests. We're trying to locate
these roads so as to help Omaha
and to help all the farmers in
Douglas county. Every bit of op-
position to this plan that | have
met has come from men looking
after their private interests"
A further wrangle ensued James
Walsh made a motion to adjourn
which was lost.
"I'm through, I give it up as a
bad job" said Mr.. Cheek, throw
ing up his hands.
Then the motion was made for
the resolution regarding the six
mile stretch of road on Center
street. 1t carried and the election
is now assured.