Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-12-22
BUT IT DIDN'T COME
Expected Climax in the Storm
Drain Question.
ATTORNEY LooHEY Is TAKEN Ill.

Uasbas e Appear Before the Council with
HIS Promised statemsnss Cootrsdicting
the Allegations With Reference to Poor
Cement Being Used ON the Job.
The city council did not wind up
the storm drain controversy at its
meeting last night. John Looney,
attorney for Contractor Schneli, who
promised to have testimony to re-
fute the statement made before the
sewer committee concerning the use
OF poor quality of cement on the
Twenty-fourth street job. ready for
submission at this session, did not
materialize. Instead came q certifi-
cate signed by DR.. c. c. Carter. say
ing that Mr.. Looney had been taken
Ill and WIS threatened with appen-
dicitis, and that he was unable to
come before the council
NJ NJ. Sturgeon spoke few words
in Mr.. Looney's behalf and said that
he had been asked to come before
the council and request that any
definite move in the storm drain
matter be deferred until such time
as he is able to present his case.
There was no comment on the part
OF the aldermen, and the question
went over without action. So that
We may expect to hear nothing fur
Their about the storm drain until the
next regular meeting of the council
in January. and maybe not then,
unless Mr.. Looney shall have re-
covered.
Aid. Concannon called the atten-
ton Of the council to the action OF
Davenport aud Chicago insurance
agents, whom he said were going
among the larger concerns of the
city and soliciting risks without in
creasing rates, whereas properly
holders are subjected to the extra
charge which the companies have
talked on in retaliation for the city's
2-per cent assessment. He did not
consider it fair and believed the
city should adopt immediate meas
ures looking toward compromise OF
the controversy. The mayor said he
had written to the representatives o.
the insurance companies in the city
with reference to the matter, bu,
thus far had received no reply.
Aid. Maucker was not in favor oil
the municipality deviating an iota
from the provisions OF the state law
which counteuances the per cen,
assessment. Neither did Aid. Foss
who suggested conference between
the fire and light and finance com
mittees and the insurance compan!
Representatives.
Aid. Winter said he had a way o.
breaking even with the insuranc,
companies. He said property-hold
could reduce their insurance. That.
how he intended keeping down ex-
penses in this respect, he said.
Tlndali Objects to Water Troughs.
Aid. Tindall did not consider it 9
square deal to allow people to place
water troughs outside OF their place,
of business without extra charge
He suggested that watering trough.
be taxed $3 per year. Aid. Kennedy
said this was very narrow policy
any one generous erough to con
struct watering place for the bene
fit of the public should be exempted
from charge. The mayor though
Aid. Tindali's idea q good one. and
suggested that in order to get the
matter properly before the council
he embody his idea in an ordinance
The mayor said he had been inter
viewed by representatives of the vi
lage council OF Milan concerning tn,
necessity of placing lights at and be.
tween the Rock river bridges A mo
ton by Aid. Maucker that the bridg,
committee be instructed to inyesti
gate the number of lamps needed
and the cost, and report at the mex
meeting. was carried. Aid. Winter
suggested in this connection tn,
committee make some arrangement.
for disposing Of or proping up the
old rolling mill at Se,rs, which hs
said was in bad condition and was
liable to fall over at any time. will
probable damage to the bridge, anc
the consequent imperiling of pedes