Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-05-10


with such a reservoir a pressure, or
head. could be had of so or 80 feet,
which would be sufficient to throw a
stream of water over the highest
building in town. We could by this
means, with an additional stand pipe,
distribute water to any portion of the
bluff territory. The saving of the
machinery, the reduction of expenses,
the great advantage Of having a
steady, constant and natural pres
sure of water. and the increased facil-
tiles of extending the water supply
over large territory which is being
rapidly populated and improved,
seems sufficient to commend its con-
struction. The advantages of such
improvements have been clearly
demonstrated by the cities of Peoria.
Quincy, and other cities I might
mention. where the rates to water
consumers have been materially les
sened by reason of the reduction of
the cost OF pumping and the in
creased facilities of procuring new
consumers.
The police department is one in
which we are ali interested. 1t has
been well cared for by our eilicien.
city marshal.
The past year has been unusual in
the numb of Migrants and tramps
that have visited the city, partially
on account OF the great number
driven out of Chicago during and af-
ter the Worlds fair. partially on ac-
count of the close proximity to the
government work, which is being
carried on at the Hennepin canal, and
also some who no doubt have pre-
cedcd what is known as ..Kelly's In
dustrial Army" now camped at Des
Moines.
In the main, the peace and har-
mony of the city has been good. The
service has been greatly augmented
by the placing of telephones in the
formation l will refer you to the re-
port of the chief OF police.
Fire Department.
We have been extremely fortunate
in the past year in avoiding great
and destructive contlagrations. With
the exception of the fire at the Rock
Island Lumber Il Manufacturing
company's mill, the fires are hardly
worth mentioning. Owing to the
large territory that the present de-
part have to care for, the last council
deemed it wise to increase the eff
cheney Of this department by estab-
fishing two additional stations, one
on Eighth street, known as the Phoe-
nix hose house. and the other on
Twcntv-siXth street, eli what is
known as the Gable hose house.
The houses have been put in good
condition; the city has contracted
for two new hose wagons ut cost of
$40. which will I've delivered about
the 10Th of the present month: one
horse and wagon for the fire chief at
4 cost of $3.50, which was delivered
about the middle OF last north, and
one team of horses at cost Of S240,
which will be delivered on the 18th
inst. With this addition, the fire
department should be able to protect
the city for several years to come.
The contract for lighting the CITY
expired on December /, last, and al
ter considerable competition by local
firms, 4 new contract was let by YOUR
honorable body to the Peoples Power
company for five years at rate of
$3.50 per annum for each 2,000-can-
die power arc light.
Bridges.
At the beginning of our last munic-
lpa! year. we expected to enlist the
general government in the cause of
raising the city bridges across Rock
river, but so far we have not succeed
ed. Owing to the manner in which
the government is constructing the
canal, it will certainly divert a large
volume of water from the south
channel of the river and cause it to
How through the two forks of the
river spanned by No. , and bridges.
This, in time of high water, will GER
tainly endanger our bridges.
Your honorable body instructed
the bridge committee. with myself.
TO wait upon Capt. Marshall, OF Chi
cago, the engineer in charge, relative
TO the matter. which we did. and he
informed us that in his opinion. the
government should raise the bridges.
but that he had no authority to do
so, and suggested that we get au or
der from the secretary of war or en-
join the government engineers in the
L. S. court from closing the wall and
thus diverting the water. all of
which was reported to your honora-
bic body. i would recommend that
renewed action be taken relative to
this matter.
Bridge No. was replanked during
the last season, and all dccayed ioists
were removed.
The city. by virtue of a resolution
passed by your honorable body. re-
Gently agreed to purchase from the
c., K. l. Il Z. Railway company Il
span of iron bridge $50 feet in length,
to be placed across the heavy
draw on Thirteenth avenue west of
Thiriieth street. The purchase
price of the bridge is 800. The
bridge has been taken to Washington