Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-02-15

The regular mon thly meeting Of the
Rock Island Citizen Improvement asso-
citation was held in their rooms in Hsr-
per.s theatre building last evening, Presi
dent Hass presiding, and with large at
tendance of represer tative citizens.
Bills to the amount of $281 81 were
allowed. this including the rent. cost of
pamphlets. miscellsne claims and q
bill OF President Hass. amounting to $29
for expenses to Chicago.
After the usual order OF preliminary
proceedings. the call for committee re-
ports was made.
The advertising committee, through
Chairman Knowlton. acknowledged the
receipt of the three thousand pamphlets,
Rock Island Illustrated" contracted for
with W. P. Qnsyle and II. P. Simpson :.
The beautifying committee. through
its chair man. DR.. Paul. reported that sew
eral meetings of the committee had been
held and deep interest shown. and plan
had been drawn up COR memorializing the
council for the Improvement of UEion
square. and making II a source OF pride
to the city and its citizens, instead Of an
eyesore. These plans call for a fill OF
one foot above the established grade.
thus employing $500 yards of earth at
thirty five cents per yard, amounting to
81 ,925; permanent sid ewalk of flag
stone, the full length of the lot line and
seven feet wide. req liring S.S76 square
feet at about thirty cents and amounting
to $3.50. 80; this with l. $40 feet of curb
ing at rs cents-$l COS and in all making
a total of IS 500 80 added to which is a
ten per cent contingent fund for diagonal
walks. the removal Of the band stand to
one OF the triangles, the putting in of a
fountain on another triangle, grassing the
| whole and planting the trees and foliage
vases for flowers, with the words Union
Square" in foliage on the Second avenue
side, max ing the total estimated outlay
SO. 1520s. The association approved
the plans.
The committee on free bridges being
called. an interesting discussion followed,
in which Messrs. Oliver Olson, c. q. Ritz
ter E. Fl. Guyer. VIM. Jackson, J. NJ. Blu
ford, J. H. Wilson, " F. Schroeder, Aid.
Frank III and Dr. Paul participated. 1t
was shown that the present income of the
toll bridges is s., 600 ana that about half
| that amount is all that is necessary to
| maintain the same in good shape. and the
sentiment voiced WIS that the toll should
be reduced to the lowest practical figure
essential to the actual maintenance of the
bridges and approaches. A resolution
was presented by Secretary Medill. ask
ing the council to submit proposition
to make the bridges free to the votes OF
the people at the spring election, but the
following substitute resolution presented
by VIM. Jackson WIS carried unanimous.
ly:
Resolcsd, That it is the sense of this
| association that the Rock river bridge.
sh ould not he declared free, but the toll
be reduced TO such a rate as will keep the
bridges and the road from the city in
| good repair.
The committee on paving Second
| avenue was called and the chairman
VIM. Jackson, made lengthy and inter-
esting report, in which he said:
The committee early decided to recon
mend the paving OF Second avenue with
| vitrified brick. and we were led to such
| conclusion in consideration of the fol
lowing:
First. We are satisfied from personal
observations and from information de-
| rived from reliable sources that suitable
brick can be obtaine d at reasonable prices
for paving purposes. and that such ma
terial will answer the purpose.
Second. In view of the fact that the
paving OF the streets is a new enterprise
| and will necessarily entail some expense
upon the abutting lot owner, we deem it
| a proper course to recommend the cheaper
material. being satisfied that good sub.
stantial work can be done with 1t.
Third. The project of paving the
streets may meet with some opposition
| this ought to be avoided if possible; the
cheaper the work can be done, If the
work IS good, the less likely that the inns
provement will be resisted.
Fourth. Improvements like paving,
curbing. etc., TO be made by special taxa
| ton, or special assessments have got to
be urged with mode ration In the first in
stance until the pro perty owners become
accustomed to such changes.
| Fifth. In the interest of this associa.
ton we advise moderation for we feal
that we may antaeonize interests thai
will work in harmony with us if we dc
not encourage costly and expensive work
| In support of the use of brick as O
pavement for streets, we submit the an
nexed letters and make them part OF
our report. This committee Is Informed
that reliable person will take the con-
tract OF paving our street will
brick for 81 81 square yard.
We have every reason to believe tina,
there is an erroneous opinion among the
people as to the cost of paving the streets
and curbing the sidewalks. II the city
will prepare the street ready for laying
the foundation for The pavement. we are
of the opinion that The cost of paving the
street. and curbinQ the sidewalk to the
owner of u twenty foot lot will not ex-
coed $50. Before the cost of paving ant
curbing Is chdrgeable to the property
owner. the city sh ould bring the street
and sidewalk to grade, SO that the paving
and curbing only should be chargeahle
We feel confident that if the city author
tiles will order the beginning of this
work; that it will work such an improve
ment In the locality where it is done
that property owners will readily scqui