Rock Island daily Argus., 1889-05-28
AN ADVANCING CITY.

1ect S-..The Fare Depdrtment-..A ING
Annual Appropriations.
WI en- the city council had resolved it
self into a committee of the whole last
evening for the purpose of considering
and fixing the annual appropriations for
the various necessary funds for the main
tenance and advancement of the city. that
body found itself presented with facts
that awoke it to realization that the city
is advancing. and that fresh demands for
funds in keeping with such progress are
upon it. The first thing to impress it
| with such condition was the demand of
the committee on fire for an additional
| So .0C0 for an electric fire alarm. Chair
man Corken, of the committee, urged up
on the council the absolute necessity OF
| this precaution. 1t would not only be q
great convenience and a benefit to the
public. but an aid to our firemen who de-
serve better facilities than they now have.
All ought TO encourage the volunteer fire.
men as much as possible. but the end and
aim should be to put in paid service as
soon as practicable.
Alderman Schroeder thought the ex-
pend iture asked for would be foolish
one just now-that a telephone system
would be better. The Cable company in
the Seventh ward proposed following the
exam pie of the Franklins and providing
themselves with a telephone and horse if
the city would erect stable for them,
and of putting in telephone and having
men sleep in the house at night and one
man on duty in the day time.
Alderman Negus said the addi-
tionsl $4,000 for the fire department
would be very properly applied. but he
believed it would prove of more general
benefit to apply it in equippage. such as
horses, and to establish for the present,
instead of an electric alarm. a uniform
telephone system.
Alderman Howard favored an electric
alarm. 1t would be great benefit to
the department and an improvement that
would be permanent-a necessary ad-
luncJ to paid department when estab-
lishe1 and once put in it would always be
there.
Alderman Knox spoke as a fireman of
fifteen years experience, and advised the
council that the present attitude of the
council was simply opening the way to
the breaking up of the department.
There should not, in his mind, be spirit
of discrimination manifested toward one
or two companies. The council should
treat all alike. and give to all what it
gives to one. There was considerable
discomfort in the department, especially
among the older companies, and for his
part he would not only like to see an elec-
trio alarm in every hose house but paid
department entire, and the sooner it was
done the better.
Alderman Corken said there was a
greas deal of disturbance in the depart
mem at the feeling prevailing that the
firenen were not only treated unfairly,
but That they were not provided by the
council with the necessary equipments
for service, and that there was danger
of the entire department disbanding at
any time.
nj m q N
Schroeder, the fund for the department
was fixed at 49, 800, and when it was
found after all appropriations were made,
that an unexpended balance of $4,000
renamed, Alderman Corken was prompt
to move it be applied to an electric alarm
service. The council did not adopt the
motion, but it Is not unlikely that before
the municipal year passes steps will be
| taken to provide a better and more re-
liable fire service. The need for i'm
provements is imperative and the coun>
Gil might as well face it first as last.
The council also made an appropria,
tion of S15, 600 for streets and alleys and
laid $4,000 aside for the police, wise
provision The official record shows the
| appropriations. The limit was S113, $50
| and the amount of the appropriations
made last night amounted to $92, 425,
leaving a balance of sci, ,425. to which
was added an unexpended balance from
last years funds of 81, 442 making $2S,
S67 Out Of this $4,000 was set aside
for sidewalks and $15. 900 for the city's
share of the Second avenue pavement,
still leaving a reserve fund of over $3,-
600, which Alderman Corken asked fol
the fire department and there it will prob
ably eventually be applied.
The council took up one importan,
mater, bat deferred action until nexi
meeting after considerable discussion
Il was as to what should be considered
permanent improvements.
| Alderman Schroeder held that all street
work should be declared permanent inn
provement and done by special assess
ment.
Alderman Corken took the view tha
this was not just and fair to the poor
That only such improvements should b,
termed permanent improvements ant
done by special assessment as the abut
ting property holders asked for. Alder
man Hampton sustained this view, bu
Alderman Negus was in favor of Alder
man Schroeder's motion.
The council adjourned without actor
on this question.
| River klplets.
| Tho Mary Morfnn 10 dino nm