Omaha daily bee., 1920-03-02
COUNCIL URGED
TO PURCHASE GAS
PLANT AT nee.
Representatives Of Central
Union and Various Improve
ment Clubs Demand
z Prompt Action.

Representatives of the Omaha
Central Labor union and OF various
improvement clubs appeared yester-
day before the city council commit
tee Of the whcle to urge that the city
commissioners take early action
which will result in the city ac-
quiring the gas plant at the ap-
praised valuation OF $4,50O,000, OBJ
tanning lower figure If possible,
eus accepting the appraised valua-
ton in any event.
The discussion followed the an
nouncement of Chairman Ure of the
committee of the whole, stating that
there was pending an ordinance,
signed by himself and Commission
ers Zimman, Ringer and To%l, rec
ommending that the condemnation
proceedings be abandoned and the
appraisal be rejected. This ordi-
nance has been referred over for an
other week to give r. B. Howell,
general manager of the Metropolitan
Water plant, an opportunity to be
hSdiu III yoiut SOllSl SiiSC VI eiiS
city council and the water board.
Hold Price Not Excessive.
George Kleffner, speaking for the
law committee of the Central Labor
Union, said: "If the city council
should take any action other than
that Of accepting the appraisal, it
may result in giving the gas COM
pany a franchise. We hold that
none can question the honesty of
Judges Day. Good and Allen, who
comprised the court of condemna-
ton i'll the gas case,
There is no reason for delay in
accepting the appraisal and we are
asking that you take immediate
steps toward taking over the gas
plant. The Central Labor union
holds that the price of$4, 100000 is
not excessive"
Mr.. Kleffner added that the peo-
pie want gas that contains sufficient
heat units for cooking and heating
purposes, and he contended that the
gas now being furnished does not
Contain adequate heat value.
Confidence in Howell.
M. 0. Cunningham, representing
the Clifton Hill Improvement club,
asserted that he had full confidence
in the ability of r. B. Howell to
make a success of the gas plant
when its management is turned over
to the Water board. Mr.. Cunning
ham added that he is not municipal
ownership advocate himself. but he
is ifrevocabfy against the installa-
tion of another plant by the city.
1T was the sense of the South
west Improvement club" said P. O.
Jennings, that we should not do
anything that would hamper the city
council in the requirement of the
gas plant. We don't want any ac-
tion taken that might in any way
be construed by the courts as the
granting of franchise to the gas
company. We don't want any more
perpetual franchises saddled upon
the city"
l.. B. Lasbury, chairman of COM
mittee from the Southwest Improve
ment club, stated that his organiza-
stion favors the purchase of the gas
plant.
Improvement Clubs Represented.
A. c. Smead, for the Central La
Dor union, stated that he had conf
dence that the city council will not
pay any more than necessary for the
gas plant.
I'VE believe that $4,5O0000 is not
an excessive price and we are op-
posed to ally action by the city coun-
Gil which may be construed by the
courts as a recognition of the gas
company" Mr.. Smead said.
L.. W Guye and F. w. Fitch also
spoke in behalf of improvement
clnns