Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-07-22
BLOCKING IMPROVEM t NTS
Arbitrary Action of South Rock
Islands Road Commissioners.
They Refuse to EXpeud $500 in ~
curing n $4,000 Benefit TO the
Cownship-Nece~> Of some
Other Course OF Prg G .dure.

The highway commissioners of South
Rock Island have we'll succ. eded if they
hold to their decision Of yesterday in not
only blocking the possibilities of a pubs
lie Improvement in which Rock Island
and the entire community is interested,
but in standing in the light of an enter
prise " hich would enhance the value of
every piece of property in the township,
and all because the aforesaid commits ien>
cannot see far enough over their noses to
comprehend the advantages that would
come from S25. 900 property improve.
ment 10 the township, contingent upon
the expenditure of $500 by that township.
As is known, Managing Director Loud.
erback mas had under consideration since
the purchase of the Rock Island s. Milan
road and tower, the erection next spring
of a S25 600 pavilion on the summit of
the tower. Mr.. Louderbeck and his as.
sociates had appropriated such sum for
this purpose. and the consummation of
such project was dependent only upon
the CON pl;auce by the highway commits
sioners Of that township with a reasonable
request On the part of Mr.. Louderback.
This was none other than the moving
of the road running almost over the cen
ter of the tower about 200 feet further
north. in order to make room for such
pavilion as Mr.. Louderback con-
templated erecting. Without such
concessions it was self-evideut
the Improvements desired could not be
made as the present lay of the road
does not afford sufficient room for the
erection of building in accordance with
the design of the present tower owners.
Yesterday meeting was held of the COM
nissioners, Mess1s Dunlap, Broosm ann and
Paulsen. Mr.. Louderbsck and David Sears
also beng present and the matter was
discussed. Mr.. Louderback presented a
petition signed by IS per cent of the
property holders of the township praying
for the change. Commissioner Dunlap
appeared to oppose the change from the
start AMI insisted the change of road
could not be made for less than 80, 900.
The other commissioners were at first
favorably inclined toward the improve.
ment, and Mr.. Sears, representative
property holder offered TO give suffi-
Gent guarantee that it could be
done for 5000. whereupon Mr.. Louder
back offered not only to put up the cash
in bond covering the amount of such a
guarantee as the commissioners might
desire, but TO pay one half the actual ex.
pense of he undertaking. and to deposit
the $500 n advance. But Mr. Dunlap
was obstinate-he thought the township
could not afford $500 for a $25. 900 pub.
lie improvement, and after calling his as
seciates of to one side, succeeded in con-
verting them to his idea. So the improve.
ment cannot possibly be made unless the
matter comes before the county board, as
indeed it should. for the township of
South Rock Island is certainly laboring
under the disadvantage of not having its
representative property holders and cit,
liens on is board of highway commits.
sioners.
This matter is one that concerns the
entire community and such arbitrary acts
as were shown yesterday should not be
permitted to thwart the progress of so
important public improvement.