Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-01-04
PUBLIC BUILDING.
An Additional Appropriation
Discussed.
LAST NIGHTS PUBLIC MEETING

The Chair Instructed to Consult With
the Proper Authorities REGARDING the
Advisabnity OF Such Action-M. W. A.
Head Omces to be Moved.
The public meeting called at the
council chamber last evening. by
President Carse, of the Rock Island
Citizens Improvement association,
was well attended by our representa-
tive men. Mr.. Carse presiding and
Walter johnson acting as secretary.
The purpose of the meeting was to
consider the ACCESSIBILITY of petition
ing congress to extend the appropri-
alton allowed for the federal build
ing to be constructed next spring, to
an amount sufficient to meet the i'm
mediate requirements of the situa-
ton. and such other matters as
ought to come before that body.
After prolonged discussion, the
public building matter was placed
in the hands of the chair, whose
duty it shall be to communicate with
the proper authorities, explaining
the inadequacy of the proposed
structure, and ascertain if by apply
ing for an extension OF the appropri-
alton it would delay original plans.
Mr.. Haas Resolution.
A resolution addressed to the
Washington authorities, asking for
an extension of the original appro-
priatiou of $4,000 to $3.50, 900, was
presented by Fred Hass, who stated
that the plans as now designed do
not make provision for offices ample
for the accommodation of the gov
eminent river engineers corps sta
toned here in charge of Maj. Alex.
Mackenzie.
In the general discussion which
followed. Walter johnson believed
that an amount of lesser denomi-
nation would probably pass through
congress without any difficulty,
while the increase contained in the
resolution would undoubtedly he
considered. thereby delaying opera
tions; SIS, 900 extension could be OBJ
tanned, he thought. without delay.
Mr.. Hass thought the room re-
quired here justified the citizens in
demanding an increased apprOpria-
ton. Congressman Post had prom
Used Mr.. Hass to give the city what
it wanted when he PosD returned
to Washington; he was instrumental
in cutting down the original amount
set aside for Rock Islands building.
MIR. Hass felt confident that the in
crease could be secured. The gov
crnment could afford better than a
500. ZOO brick building, if Rock ISL
and county was capable Of erecting a
1925. 900 court house. In reply to
inquiries as to the dimensions of the
building as planned, and at what ad-
ditional cost could sandstone be
substituted for brick, Superintend-
cpt Volk stated that he had not re-
ceived the elevation of the building,
the floor of which was 4SX9S; $1,000
or 1000 would cover the difference
OF cost between brick and Portage
sandstone. MIR. Volk thought a
sired requirements.
According to the opinion of Will
liam jackson, the city was only de-
laying its building a couple of more
years in asking an additional amount
with which to construct. 1t was far
better to get the building first, and
point out its deficiencies as the de-
mand for extended quarters appear,
and congress would listen to them
far more readily than if no building
existed in the city. The financial
condition of the government would
not warrant extended expenditures.
MIR. Jackson wanted a better build
ing, but he did not believe in risking
a delay of two or three years after
the many years Of anticipation, and
possibly a reluctance Of the present
allowance.
As operations would not commence
on the new building until spring. Z.
Ii. Guyer believed in asking the
present congress. which adjourns
March 4, to grant the increase.
There was nothing to be lost and
everything to gain, by such an at
tempt, which would probably give
the desired result. Mr.. Hass then
moved the adoption of the resOlu-
ton.
In response to Chairman Carse's
desire that all be heard on the subject,
John Ohlweiler said he feared delay
would follow any such course. w.
j. Kerr thought there would be no
harm in asking for an extern
sion If it could he passed
upon before actual construction Of
the building begun. G. f. Bailey
thought if it could not be illustrated
to the supervising architect that adj
ditional quarters were a necessity,
no action should he taken. In John
Crubaugh's opioion it would be all
right to have a representative 90 be-
fore the proper committees and ex-
plain the Importance of the extern
sion. He must not make much OF q
demonstration over it. Postmaster
j. W. Potter wanted . more extern
sive building, but he did not believe
in jcopardizing the present pros
poets in an cndeavor TO obtain the
mentioned appropriation. The draft
inp of anti able resolutions to be laid