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About The Plattsmouth journal. (Plattsmouth, Nebraska) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 17, 1916)
Platte oum j .ftUv." iVAftfri'iWHi hoc VOL. XXXIV. PLATTSMOUTH, NEBRASKA, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1916. NO. 71. A T i 5 1 v 4 c ! 1 J. CITY DADS ENJOY A LIVELY SESSION MONDAY i Considerable Discussion on the Oc cupation Tax and Discriminations of the Light Company. From Tuesdav's Dainr. The city council :ait evening1 en joyed a lively session and one in which the question of weighing scales on Main street, the occupation tax and the light franchise were thoroughly discussed bv the different members for some little time, and from the dis cussion of the membership a great deal of light was shed on the mat ter under consideration and it was close to 10 o'clock before the adjourn mer.t came, which allowed the mem bers to proceed homeward to the bosom of their families. H. D. Newton sent a communica tion to the council in which he stated that he thought that the occupation tax of $5 per year was excessive, as he was merely conducting a small lunch counter in a saloon and that there was no entrarce to the lunch room from the street except through the saloon, and he did not think it could properly come under the heading of restaurants. Councilman Johnson throught that the general provision which covered lestaurants was one that would in clude the place of Mr. Newton, and to let it go was to discriminate against the other places of business. Council man Buttery stated that as the oc cupation tax ordinance had been violated before ho did not think it was worth much. Mr. Harris of the Fifth ward made inquiry as to whether or not a man owning two fronts on Main street was required to pay more than the man with one, and was in formed that he was rot. A petition was presented to the council by V. R. Egenberger risking permission of the city to locate weighing scales on Main street in front of his place of business for his own use as well as that of the public which might have something that they desired to have weighed. The scales, as the petitioner stated, would not interfere in any way with the appear ance of the street and would be set on a level with the pavement, while the weighing beams wojld be extended under the sidewalk ir.to his place of business. He further promised that the scales would not damage the street in any way and offered to provide suit able bond to see that there was no damage did to the street in any way. If taken out the street would be put in as good shape as before the scales were installed. Mr. Egenberger also requested to be appointed as the city weighmaster. Councilman Harris moved that the petition be granted as prayed for, and this was seconded by Councilman Ba jeck, providing that m good and suf ficient bond be prorided to insure the proper performance oi the provisions of the petition. Councilman Bestor was in favor of granting the petition if it did not con flict with any part of the city ordin rnce in regard to matters of this kind, as he had understood that on two previous occasions the scales on Main street had been taken up by the city, and he thought that it was best to have it referred to the judiciary committee. This was seconded by Councilman Shea, and on the vote the amendment of Bestor carried, and with this tacked on the original motion was passed and the matter placed in the hands of the judiciary committee to report. Councilman Johnson inquired as to the1 bill for the costs in the Fanger case, which had been reported to the finance committee of the council, and how the matter could be compromised by the city when the ordinance clearly stated what the price should be for the conducting of an auction sale. City Attorney Douglass stated to the council that it had been thought best to take the $15 in settlement of the case, as under the circumstances it would have been impossible to col lect the full amount, "which was exces sive, and it would have probably caus ed the city to have to pay a large amount of costs in the case, as they would have lost the suit. Chief of Police Barclay reported that during the month of January there had been fi2 arrests made three of whom had paid fines and two worked out the costs and fines for the city. City Clerk Nemetz reported that during the month just closed he had collected the sum of SI 18, which had been turned over to the city treasurer and placed to the credit of the city. iCty Treasurer Soennichsen reported a balance in the treasury of $16,254.47, with registered warrants aggregating $15,000, while the resources at the command of the city wzs $12,000. This report, as well as that of the clerk, was referred to the finance committee for examination and adjustment. Fire Chief A. F. Braun reported that he had held a test of the new fire and smoke helmet at the Burlington brass foundry and that it had proven most successful in the test3 and it had been possible to remain in the dense smoke for fifteen minutes with ease, and that he had came out of the smoke without feeling the least effect. The judiciary committee of the council, through Chairman Mauzy, re ported that they had examined the protest of II. M. Soennichsen in regard to cutting down the grade of the street near his property, and that the com mittee recommended that the grade be left as at present, and on motion the report was adopted by the council and the proposed change in the grade will not be made. Councilman Bestor of the streets, alleys and bridges committee, report ed that the ordinance establishing the starting of the plan, as well as the re-establishing of the grades and could be taken uo if desired. Mayor Richey thought that the mat ter could be settled by one ordinance and it would save the city the cost of the two publications, and this was also the opinion of City Attorney' J. E. Douglass. On motion of Buttery this was referred to the city attorney to ook up and decide whether one ordinance would cover both cases. Councilman Lushinsky of the light committee brought up the matter of the communication of Thomas Wiles, in which he had ask?d that the city try and give him some relief from the demands of the Nebraska Lighting company for installation service in his residence. Mr. Lushinsky reported that the city attorney had had a com munication from the state railway commission in which they stated that they could not take any steps in the matter, as they had no control over cities of this size. The light company had agreed to put in the service to the residence of Mr. Wiles for $20 and not a cent less. If the number of ights in the residence was ten or more the light company had agreed to run the line free to within 300 feet of the property. On motion the city attorney was in structed to draw up a contract with the light company to cover cases of this kind. Councilman Johnson did not think that the proposed rate made by the light company was a just one, as it discriminated against the small con sumer in every way and the party who was only able to afford five lights in his house would be compelled to pay $20 for the service, while one with ten lights could get it free, and this was clearly an injustice to a large majority of the people of the city, a greater part of whom were owners of small residences and could not afford the large number of lights which was de manded before the light service would be installed at a reasonable figure. He favored the light committee drawing up an agreement that would give the small consumer some relief from the present conditions. Councilman Harris stated that he was not in favor of giving an inch to the light company, as they had secur ed a good contract from the city at an increase in price and he believed should be made to do justice to the small consumer of electric current, and thought the council ought to take some action in the matter. Councilman Buttery stated he was of the same opinion as Mr. Johnson that the vast majority of the property owners of the city were persons of small means and were not able to af ford a arge number of lights and were entitled to protection from the city council, if possible. On motion the matter was referred to the city attorney and the light com mittee to try and reach an agreement as to the cost of installing the light service. Councilman Harris asked that the city attorney give his opinion in re gard to the street south of the Colum bian school, which has been under dis cussion for so long by the council. Mr, Douglass stated he had found where the city had a reservation of thirty feet along lot 5, in that section of the city, but would require further time to look up ihe matter at length. ine occupation tax question was again brought into the limelight when the city attorney sought to explain certain features for the benefit of the council. In part tho ordinance "was too excessive and the law would not permit the levying of an excessive tax that would prevent anyone from doing business, and this section covering the auctioneers was clearly under this provision. On the question of the tax ing of property along and adjoining the avenues for the purpose of aiding the paving of the avenues the city at torney cited a number of cases where the courts had held that any property benefited by the improvements was subject to taxes, whether it adjoined the street on which the paving was placed or not. He also was desirous of looking this matter up to a further extent before rendering an opinion. Councilman Johnson, in taking up the occupation tax question, called the attention of the council to the matter of the old ordinance in which the mer chant with two business fronts had been taxed more than the man with one, but this had brought out a great deal of criticism and had been chang ed. He did not think it possible to change the ordinance to please the dif ferent interests of the city. City Attorney Douglass stated that the purpose of the ordinance was for raising revenue only and if it was pro hibitive it was without force. The question of the dangerous con dition of the sidewalks and crossings was brought up by the mayor and it was decided to nave cinaers piaceu on the crossings, as well as having the property owners noticed to take steps to make the walks safer. After the allowing cf the claims and a number of small matters the city city dads adjourned and wended their way homeward,- well satisfied with their work. j The finance committee of the coun cil recommended the following bills as correct and they were ordered paid: j John Bauer, material to city, $3.03; Charles Green, boarding city prison ers, $7.55; J. E. Douglass, fees in case City vs. Fanger, $G.05; C. W. Baylor, coal to jail, $3.25; Nelson Jean, coal to city jail, $3.25; M. E. Manspeaker, ivery to police, $2.25; Lincoln Tele-j phone & Telegraph Co., rents, $3; Weyrich & Hadraba, merchandise to police, $1.80; Gering & Co., one bat tery, 30c; M. Lutz, street commission-L er, $28.90; Mike Cair.es. street work, $32.40; C. E. McBride. same, $1G.40; William Rice, same, $2.40; Jim Elder, same, $2.40; Bruce & Standeven, sur veying plat of Washington avenue, $15; William Barclay, salary, $75; William Wilson, salary, $20; M. Arch er, salary, $30; Alvin Jones, salary, $65; Kroehler Brothers, material to city, $19.20; J. P. Falter, agent Em ployers Liability Assurance Co., $148.31; Nebraska Lighting Co., light at city hall and sundries, $17; Nebras ka Lighting Co., street lighting, $210.75; American LaFrance Fire En gine Co., smoke helmet, $25; C. Boetel, burying one dog, 50c; I. N. Cummins, burying two dogs, $1; G. P. Eastwood, material street commissioner, $2.10. HELPERS OF CHRIS TIAN CHURCH DELIGHT FULLY ENTERTAINED The Helpers of the Christian church . 1 T 1 i 11 A i ' 1 were most aengnuuiiy enicriaineu yesterday afternoon at the pleasant home of Mrs. Frank Sivey. The ladies held their usual business session, at which time various matters were at tended to, after which they held their annual election of officers and elected Mrs. Frank Sive7 president; vice president, Mrs. C. E. Whittaker; sec retary, Mrs. O. C. Hudson; treasurer, Mrs. Philip Rihn. The ladies then made various plans for the coming year's work and then adjourned their business ssession. The remainder of the afternoon was devoted to a most enjoyable social time and various other amusements, which made this occasion a very pleasant one to those who were fortunate enough to be present. At a convenient time the hostess served a delicious luncheon, which was very much appreciated by the guests. PRIMARY ELECTION ON TUESDAY, APRIL I8TH. EXPLAINED Governor Morehead Calls Special At tention to the Primary' Election Tuesday, April 18. A proclamation issued by Governor Morehead proclaims aloud that a pri mary election is to be held in Ne braska in the several polling precincts throughout the state, Tuesday, April 18. The purposes minutely set forth show that voters are expected to nomi nate 262 candidates, not counting a myriad of county candidates. Each voter, however, will not be required to vote on all of the candidates. lie will escape voting for six congress men and vote only for the nomina tion of one in his particular congres sional district. Instead of nominating 133 members of the legislature, each voter will vote only on the nomina tion of senators and representatives in his own senatorial and repre sentative districts. The same is true of the nomination cf sixty candidates for judges of the district court. Thirty district judges are to be elected in the fall in a total of eighteen judicial districts. Under the non-partisan law twice as many nominees must be on the general elec tion ballot as there are places to fill. At the primary each voter will vote only on the nominalion of judges in his own judicial district. Lancaster county, which is to elect three dis trict judges, and ea?h voter is ex pected to vote only on the nomina tion of three candidates. The county clerk will take th& six higher and place their names on the general non partisan judiciary ballot to be voted at the November election. The eleven state officers to be nom nated at the primary election are: Governor, lieutenant governor, railway j commissioner, two regents, state audi tor, treasurer, secretary of state, at tcrnev general, land commissioner, superintendent of public instruction. According to the governor's procla- maticn, tne nrst tmng to attract tne attention of the voter will be: To express a preference for candi dates by each of the political parties for president and vice president of the United States. For nomination of two candidates at large and one from each congres sonal district in the state for presi dential electors by each of the politi cal parties. For the election of four delegates at large and two from each congres sional district in the state to the na tional convention of the respective political parties, and for a like num ber of alternates. For the election of one national committeeman for oach of the said political parties. For. the non-partisan nomination of two candidates for chief justice of the supreme court, to fill vacancy. Six candidates for judges of the supreme court. By each political party, the nomina tion of one candidate for congress from each of the six congressional districts. About the same amount of labor must be performed by the intelligent voter at the general election in the fall, an election that comes, thanks to an amended state constitution, only once in two years, instead of every year, as formerly. Sheriff Hyers Improving. A message sent to Superintendent Ackerman of the Burlington Havelock shops, from Sheriff Hyers, shows that in spite of his sickness he still remem bers his old associates in the shops. The message follows: "Sheriff Hyers asks that you let the boys at the Havelock shops know that he is improving and sends his regards to both the shop boys and his town friends. Although in bed his condi tion is improving and he expects to be home about April 1." This message was posted on the bul letin board at the shops Tuesday. August Engelkemeier of near Weep ing Water was in the city for a few hours today visiting with relatives and friends. SIX WOLVES CAUGHT IN LOUISVILLE HUNT Louisville, Neb., Feb. 16. A wolf hunt took place south of Louisvill today, when nearly 300 men surround ed nearly twenty-five sections of land and came together at a designates point, and ten wolves were gatherec in. Four of them succeeded in get ting through the line, while six of them were shot. This is the best and most successful wolf hunt the men have had for a long time. A farmer living southeast of town caught a wolf in a trap this morning AUGUST KAFFENBER- GER AND 1EGARET TRITSCH MARRIED The Presbyterian manse was the scene of a very pleasant wedding yes terday, when Rev. II. G. McClusky, pastor of the First Presbyterian church, united in the bonds of wedlock Miss Margaret Tritsch and Mr. Aug ust Kaffenberger, two of the popular young people of this section of the county. The wedding was a very sim ple yet impressive cne, as the mar riage lines which were to unite the hearts and lives of the two young peo ple were read by the pastor. The bridal couple were nltended by Miss Elizabeth True and Mr. W. H. Kehne, as bridesmaid and best man. Follow ing the ceremony the young people departed for their home, west of this city, where they will reside in the uture. The friends of the young peo ple throughout the county will extend o them their best wishes for a long and happy married life and one free rem care and sorrow. The bride is the daughter of Mrs. Ida Tritsch and the groom the son cf Adam Kaffen- berger, one of the leading farmers of Eight Mile Grove precinct. G.P. GALLED TO PEKIN, ILL, QN ACCOUNT OF DEATH Last evening George P. Horn, sr., and son, Henry Horn, departed for Pekin, Ililnois. where they were called by the death of Jacoo Urish, a brother-in-law of Mr. George Horn, who passed away Tuesday at his home in the llinois city. Mr. Urish at the time of his death was 87 years of age and was the husband of the sole sur viving sister of Mr. Horn, and both of the old people are well advanced in years, Mrs. Urish being 83 years of age. The funeral services will be held at Pekin on Friday and the burial held in the cemetery m that place. Mr. Horn, who is himself 85 years of age, with Mrs. Urish, are the sole survivors of their family, and the mission on which he goes east to comfort the aged sister in her grief is doubly dif ficult owing to his age. Getting Along Nicely. Harry Horn, at the Immanuel hos pital in Omaha, is reported as getting along in fine shape and his injured leg seems to be on the highway to use fulness, as the operation recently per formed seems to have been most suc cessful. Mrs. Henry Horn, mother of the young man, was :n Omaha yester day visiting him and reports him as doing nicely. Old-Fashioned Dance. There will be an old-fashioned dance given on Saturday evening at Coates' hall. Old-fashioned music and a good time assurred. Same management as formerly at the Redmen dances. Moving to South Dakota. Henry K. Keil, one of the enter prising young farmers of this county, has decided to try his fortune in other fields, and accordingly is removing to Alpena, South Dakota, where he will locate on a farm there and engage in the agricultural work. Mr. Keil has had land interests in South Dakota for the past few years and feels it has a great future as a farming state. HORN SON A WELL nil GERMAN PIOHEEER Peter Goos. Former Plattsmouth Resi dent, and Pioneer Hotel Man of Omaha, Passes Away. Peter Goos, one of the pioneer busi ness and hotel men oi" the metropolis and also a former resident of this city, passed away yesterday at his home in Omaha after suffering for some time from a general breakdown and poor health for the past few years. Mr. Goos had been a resident of Ne braska for the last fifty years, having came to America from his native land, Germany, after the close of the Prussian-Danish war of 18C4. He was lo cated here for a number of years, be ing engaged in the conduct of a dairy, ater going to Omaha, where he em barked in the hotel business and built the Merchants hotel, which he operat ed for a number of years, and later, on selling this property, he erected the Thurston hotel on Fifteenth street, which he managed for a time. He , was engaged quite extensively in the j buying and selling of real estate in Omaha, and at one time was quite wealthy, but in the hard times of 1893-94 he suffered quite a loss in the depreciation of the value of his real estate holdings. Of late years he has led a retired life, owing to the condition of his health, and two years ago was stricken with blindness, which checked his active life. He frequently visited this city after his removal to Omaha, to visit his brothers, Fred erick and George Goos, both of whom have preceded him in death, and he s the last of his family to pass away. He leaves a widow, three daughters and one son to mourn his death, eight children having passed away. ' Mr. Goos was an uncle of P. F. Goos. Henry Goos, Mrs. William Schmidtmann and Mrs. Joseph Fetzer of this city, all of whom were present this afternoon to attend the funeral services, which were held at the late home in Omaha. The interment was had in the family lot in Forest Lawn ecmctery. GGNTAGEQUS DISEASES LIGHT IN PLATTSMOUTH COMPARED ELSEWHERE The comparative lightness of con tagious diseases in this city at the present time, when so much scarlet fever, diphtheria and other maladies of a like nature are sweeping over the surrounding cities, should be the subject of congratulation to the citi zens. The physicians of the city, to gether with the school authorities, have been very active in seeing that every precaution to check the spread of these diseases among the children was used. At the present time there are only six families quarantined with scarlet fever and one with diphtheria in this city, which is a good showing for a city of this size, and a number of these cases are almost ready for release from quantine, while three ' have already been released. In the Central school pupils pupils there has been only two mild cases during the school year, and these were quaran tined successfully without allowing the spread of the disease. The teachers in the schools have been instructed that at any time that any pupil appears in the least sick or indisposed they are to be sent home and remain there until they are ex amined, and if at home more than one day it will be necessary for them to produce a certificate from the attend ing physician before they are allowed to go back to school. This has been one of the reasons for holding in check the spread of scarlet fever. In Omaha the cases are numbered by the hundreds and the health author ities see unable to cope with the situation, and this is true in others of the nearby towns, but here, so far, the work of the physicians and teach ers has been able to hold down the number of cases. S OMAHA DEATH OF LITTLE DAUGHTER OF T. E. PARMELE AND WIFE This morning at tn early hour Helen P.oH-mrny Purmele, the uu.nire.-? daughter of Mr. and Mrs Thomas K. Paimek-, pa.teJ away at the family home after a few days' illnc-s -String from sea net lever, which Lad finally claimed the young life of the well belood little daughter. The lit tle one was 3 year- of age arid trie sunshine of the life of the hni and her death comes as a griviou- r !.av to the pi. rents, a- v. 1 11 a-, the brother snd sisters, who will mi-s gnarly the little one. who has been railed r.orv to rest. In their bereavement the family will receive the sympathy of the entire community in the !- of the little child. JUDGE BEESOK Mrs. Elsie Gobelman Demands Posses sion cf Child Now in Possession of His Grandparents. This morning the court of County udge Eeeson was filled with a large umber of spectators to hear the de tails of the application of Mrs. El.-ie Gobelman for a writ of habeas cor pus to compel her father, Herman Streit weiser, to produce in court Alfied Romain Woods, minor son of the plaintiff and grandson of the defer .d- nt. The child is 7 years of age and the matter of the custody of the child has been fought out quite bitterly be tween the mother and grandfather of the little boy, and he has been taken from the jurisdiction of the court by the grandfather and placed elsewhere, and it is the desire of the mother to compel Mr. Streitweiser to turn the child over to the mother. In the petition of the plaintiff it is stated that the child is of the age of 7 years and that the plaintiff1 has de sired the custody and care of the chill since her second maniage in October, 1014, to George Gobelman, and that it is the desire of herself and husband to provide and care fer the boy. That under the decree of divorce granted in 1913 to the plaintiff the custody of the child was given to plaintiff. It is claimed that the grandfather had taken the child to Omaha and placed it in the care of a Mrs. Stogemar.r. and had threatened to take it to Cali fornia. The mother therefore asked that the court issue a writ to produce the child. In the answer cf th3 defendant it is stated thzt he has had the care of the child since the spring of 1014, and pro vided for the child in every way, af fording him a home, and denie 1 specifically the claims of the plaintiff and husband that thy had offered t care for the child, and claims that the mother had refused to care for the boy. Defendant, it was stated in the answer, had written to tho father of the boy, John Victor Wood, and had met him in December. 1015, at Sheri dan, Wyoming, where it was arrang ed to turn the boy, Alfred Wood, over to the father to be cared for. The defendant had deposited $1,000 in a bank at Cheyenne, Wyoming, to be held in trust for the "-re of the buy at the rate of $200 per jear, and that Streitweiser had provided liberally for the little boy in his will. He had de livered the boy to his father prior to the time of the serving of the notice of the WTit of habeas corpus and was not aware at the present time of the whereabouts of the boy. The testimony in the case was de cidedly conflicting and it was decided by the court at the close that the ap plication for a writ of habeas corpus would be dismissed, owing to the court not having jurisdiction in the case. The case has attracted a great deal of attention among the friends and neighbors of the parties interested and a greater part of them were present to witness the outcome of the case. Mrs. C. A. Marshall was a passeng er this morning for Omaha, where she will visit for a short time with friends, as well as look after some matters of business. DISMISSES HABEAS CORPUS CASE J7-