Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-06-30
PROTECTING OUR OWN.
The Positi0n Of Rock Island and Dayen
port as to Home Labor.

nc TositiOn OF ROCK island ana Dave0.
port to Home Labor.
The Davenport Democrat copies
the comments of the Rock Island dali
ly papers on the purpose, of the city
authorities of Davenport to exclude
all but Davenport labor in the paw
ing improvements in progress there
under contract, and replying to the
suggestion that Rock Island can very
nicely retaliate, as it did in the
wagon license discrimination on the
part OF Davenport toward Rock ISL
and. refers thus to Rock Island:
at is evident that that city intends
to draw the lines of discrimination
again ia every possible place, just as
il did some time ago in another mat
ter. The plan of this city in at
tempting to secure the employment
of needy Davenporters is presuma-
bly, not perfect. There are defects
and lame spots in it, as there are in
all earthly things. but not as many
as there are in Rock Islands pro-
posed scheme of retaliation.
The case here is plain and simple.
Davenport has some men out of
work. Many of them pay taxes here.
All of them live here, and as far as
they are able. support the city and
its institutions. If they fail to secure
living. it falls upon the city or its
people to support them. Rock ISL
and and Moline will not contribute a
penny to aid or sustain them in any
way. Some time ago it was a plain
case that the city must take some ac
ton in the direction of furnishing
the means of support to many of
these men. Without such support
there would be suffering here. With
this end in view, the paving of a
large area of streets and the con-
struction of additional sewers was
deemed advisable. 1t was decidedly
4 better plan than the paving out of
cash, for which nothing was received.
In short, the city created this work
that its own citizens might have the
means of living. The contracts
for these Improvements contained
clauses providing that only Daven-
port men should be given this work.
Rock Island was not Disseminated
against, as her people are so ready
to imagine. All outside residents.
whether of Rock Island or Des
MoineS, were excluded. If Rock ISL
and wants to fight this determine
ton OF Davenport to take care of her
needy. instead of letting them loose
to seek jobs that rightfully belong to
other men. she will probably fight it.
and that is all"
Rock Islands Position.
Rock Island is not fighting any dis
position on the part of Davenport to
take care of its needy. Our work
men are not seeking the bread that
the city of Davenport provides for its
hungry. but if the city of Davenport
is so considerable of its idle labor, it
should take care of all of it, and not
send any of it over here for Rock ISL
and to support. that is all. The city
OF Rock Island has done more paving
up to date than Davenport has. and
in all these Improvements Davenport
labor has been given employment
without prejudice. Rock Island la
Dor may not be reduced to the point
of extreme need that Davenport's is.
but it nevertheless seeks employ
ment where it is not so engaged.
Davenport men have been employed
on our street improvements this year.
If Davenport is to take care of its
own labor exclusively. let it do it.
Rock Island has no desire to inter-
fere, but it reserves the right to say
Davenport should expect no quarter
here, in view of its own attitude to-
ward our laboring people.
In other words we can take care of
our own when necessary-and we
ask none of Davenport's charity
either.