Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-02-25
tracks IS It was now sought 70 main:
tain for switching purposes.
To <h;a A IA Cnrene r nrovnny1r -

10 this AID Surman promptly re-
piled that the new track into the
Lewis Roofing compauy's grounds
was for the very purpose of taking
the storage of cars off the street and
putting them on private grounds. in
with the general plan of
action now proposed by the council.
Aid. Schroeder asserted that the
action of the council was not to re-
move all tracks. but all unlawful
tracks. II the c., 3. & Q. has a
right to all the tracks it occupies on
First avenue, then none will be re-
moved.
Aid. johnson stated that it had
been intimated that the Burlington
was now using a track north of the
Peoria tracks on First avenue east of
Seventeenth street and asked if that
was not an unlawful track, to which
Mr.. Walker replied that 50 far as he
knew the Burlington was using no
tracks that were not authorized in
the scope of the original ordinance
Aid. Foss spoke at some length
with reference to the proposition. 1t
was not manifestation OF hostility
to the railroads. 1t was the simple
duty Of the aldermen to guard the
interests of the city. In this case
there were two points to be consid-
cred. the welfare of the entire city
and the welfare of property holders
facing on First avenue. The city
should require the roads to occupy
private grounds for switching pur-
poses and thus open a main entry
into the city for other roads that are
to come.
Aid. Dauber discountenanced I'M
due severity with the railroads. The
river front was the place for switch
ing. The railroads should not be
opposed. They were the life of the
city and the city of Rock Island
should not drive them to Moline,
where they get all the switching
privileges they want. even to the
use of sidewalks. or to Milan. where
they would be received with open
arms.
Aid. Fender believed in letting the
railroad tracks remain right where
they are. We should not deal Sc
verely with the roads now here, but
encourage them on all occasions
where it can reasonably be done.
When other roads come we will get a
right of way for them.
Aid. Gall was for dealing fairly
with the roads. Let us treat old
friends right and welcome new ones
Aid. Maucker made a strong argu-
ment in behalf of the city's position,
as did Aid. Surihan. Aid. Kennedy
believed the Terminal company was
responsible for the renewed agitation
of the subject of river front tracks.
Aid. Foss stoutly maintained that
while the terminal project may have
been the occasion for the revival OF
the subject, it was not the cause OF
it. Aid. Maucker- took the same
view. We shall all do the best we
can in the premises.
General Manager Browns Suggestion.
MIR. Brown spoke of the industrial
bureau in connection with all rail
roads in the west and of the handi.
Gaping influence that q city placed
on road where it was restricted toe
much with regard to switching priv.
ileges, in the event of a factory
seeking through such road to move
from the east to the west. Mr..
Brown thereupon made the sugges.
ton outlined above with reference to
going over the ground with the
committee and explaining the practi.
cable and reasonable necessity for
the existence of certain disputed
tracks.
Col. Curtis spoke on the position
of the railroads and Fred Hass for
the property holders. City Attorney
Haas thought the committee had
proceeded unwisely in the first place
and contrary to his suggestions il
inviting the various interests before
it before its plan was fully iormu.
lated. No headwey could be mad.
under the present mode of procedure
Mr.. Blair. of the Bridge company
stated that he had attended the coun
Gil to listen and not to speak. H.
was glad that he had come. He Their
assured the council that his company
was perfectly satisfied with tn,
rights accorded it. His compan,
was in no way responsible for any
action relative to other roads; was
not agitating the subject. nor did i,
desire to, or to mix up in the presen:
COZ troversy.
Remarks were made by Aid. John
son in support of the city. and the
council finally adjourned to 60 ovel
the ground with the railroad off ,ials
Saturday afternoon.
Compromise Hoped For.
The ARGUS has but to express the
hope so often made that q compro
mise will be reached such as will
insure the substantial and perma
nent improvement of the river front
Mr.. Browns friendlipess may lead t.
this result. The present seems a:
good a time to settle the dispute as
any. The city should above al
things protect its levee and the rail.
roads should meet it half way in this
There is no need of further dodgipe
the issue. The city should MAKE
only such concessions as will be me-