The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-01-30
BUSINESS MEN.
They Meet in Regular Monthly Meet.
ing-..What was Done.

The Rock Island Business Mems asso-
citation met in annual session last evening,
for the purpose of electing officers for the
ensuing year. The election resulted as
follows: J. W. Stewart, president; Alex
Steel, John Weyerheuser, vice presidents;
]. F. Robinson, secretary; John Pcetz,
treasurer; A G. Dart, H. Carse, H.
Hoffmaster. L. s. McCabe, II. C. Nc
Council, finance committee All the old
officers being re elected without opposi-
ton
Before the election took place, the
minutes were read and approved, and the
committees called for the presentation of
regular business.
The committee appointed at the last
regular meeting of the association, COM
posed of DR.. Stewart, Major Connolly and
ex-Mayor Carse. were called upon for
report in relation to the gun works on the
island. DR.. Stewart asked Mai or Connolly
to report on behalf of the committee, who
said Col. Flagler had been visited and
conferred with in relation to the matter
Col. Flagler received the committee kindly
and spoke freely and frankly on the sub
ject. He stated that there was no foundry
or gun works in this country equal to the
one contemplated by the resolution passed
by congress. The government now fur
nishes the pig metal from which guns
were manufactured. but the moulding and
making of the dogs of war were in the
hands of private parties. There was a
foundry in Massachusetts, one in Penn
sylvania and one in Ohio, where his work
was now done. Col. Flagler regarded
the island of Rock Island, by reason of its
geographical position, its ample commu-
nications, and its prospective connections
with the great lakes by water, as the great
central point for the foundry He had
been stationed at Pittsburgh during
the war. and had some knowledge of
the expense attending the shipment of
heavy guns. He could place great gun
on fiat boat moored at Rock Island )
shore, and carry it to the mouth of the
Mississippi river, for less money than it
cost to take gun from the foundry in
-
shipment From this fiat boat heavy
guns could be transferred to q man of
war or other large vessels and taken any
where along our immense line of coast
Besides the great ores of Michigan. Mis-
sour, Tennessee and Alabama, possessed
all the elements and ingredients. required
to make as fine gun as the world could
produce. England alone had gun works
such as were contemplated to be erected
under the resolution of congress. Annu
ally for twenty years she had expended
100000 pounds sterling simply in
making experiments in manufacturing
guns This is equivalent to the enormous
sum of S200,0O0,O0O expended in this
score of years. The arsenal, while it is q
great work, would be pigmy beside the
gun foundry, should the latter ever be
brought up to its greatest capacity. The
resolution of congress contemplated a
union of the army and navy in the con-
struction of the gun works. The com.
mission appointed under the resolution
was composed of threee officers of the
navy, two of the army. with third mem
Der of the army as secretary to the com
mission. This commission had visited
Europe and many other points in this
country Some of them expressed their
admiration and surprise at the nat
ural and advantageous location OF
the island for military purposes.
They quietly and calmly took in the
whole situation, and while nothing is
known as TO what their official action may
be, it is hoped, in comparison to other
points, Rock Island may be. favorably
considered The impression, however,
seems to be. that it is not practical Ia
unite the army and navy in one great
work of this kind. 1t is supposed to be
more feasible for the navy to have some
establishment of its own near the sea coast
and for the army to have one of Its own
in different locality. At all events the
government win no doubt do-semethine
in time towards establishing one or more
gun foundries, and when that time comes
it is hoped Rock Island will not be for
gotten.
Col. Flagler expressed to the COMMITTEES
his sincere thanks for the manner in which
this locality had always aided his sugges
tions. He said on this question nothing
was now to be done, but If in the futur,
assistance should be found desirable, b.
would not hesitate to call on the tri cite
to aid him. The committee on the gur
works was requested 70 continue ant
look after any point which might arise il
relation thereto. se ssss.
Five delegates to attend the convention
of western water ways, were reported a
having been appointed by the chair, an
Capt J. J Parks was appointed as sixth
delegate.
A copy of the bill for the street railwa.
between Rock Island and Davenport, wa
read by the secretary. DR.. Stewart re
turned thanks for the expression of conf
dence, and counseled fresh and unite
efforts in behalf of the objects of tn
association. Capt, Robinson espresso
his appreciation of the labors Of tn
president the past year, and on motion 0
n It H.