Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-10-27
IAN OPEN ADDRESS.
Bridge & Terminal Company
Lays Its Case Before
the Council.
WHAT IT PROPOSES TO DO.

IL Asks That NO Conflicting Ordinances
BE Granted to Other CorporAtions-Its
Position Outlined.
The Bridge & Terminal company,
which organization has for its object
the formation of the Crescent bridge
enterprise. as we'll as he develop
ment of ter minsl facilities in Rock
Island. has submitted to The ARGUS
the following open letter for publioa-
ton:
Bridge Company's Office, Daven-
pert. Iowa, Oct. 26. 1870 the
honorable, the Mayor and City
Council. City of Rock Island, H.
Gentlemen: Notwithstanding the
we'll known financial depression of
the past three years, it may be
stated as q matter of fact that the
construction Of the new railway
bridge across the Mississippi river
between Davenport and Rock Island,
financially and otherwise. Is now as
sured, and the bridge will be built
and ready for operation within the
coming year. The approaches and
terminal facilities become, there
fore. matters Of Importance in con-
nection with the use Of the bridge,
and the business interests of your
city. Upon these points we desire to
call your special attention.
The business interests of the tri-
cities of Rock Island, Moline and
Davenport, are vitality interested in
the question of transportation by
rail. The Bridge & Terminal compa-
ny is equally interested in affording
facilities for shipments of material
and goods produced or used in the
three cities and vicinity. It con-
templates something more than even
this; the extension Of the Rock ISL
and & Eastern Illinois railway con-
Meeting with the bridge terminal in
Rock Island, will open up another
and independent line of railway with
all the advantages which such con-
nections can afford. We assume il
Is ssfact. not to be controverted, that
the future growth of your city and
consequent increase in prosperity by
reason of additional inducements az
forded to manufacturers and other
business interests on account of en-
larged railway facilities, is desira-
BILE, and that the citizens who realize
the Importance of having such ad-
vantages attaching to this locality
will gladly welcome the advent Of
any legitimate means of enhancing
growth Of population and the invest
ment Of capital In their midst. Mel
ther the Bridge & Terminal compa-
ny nor the Rock Island & Eastern
Railway company intend or desire to
impinge upon the vested rights
and privileges Of other rail-
ways granted them by the city,
whatever they may be; they
seek only to be favored with such
legislation by your honorable body
as will insure them suitable and nec-
essary ingress and exit over their
own terminals and tracks independ-
emily Of connection or contract privi-
leges with the other railways now
entering the city. By aud under
two ordinances heretofore passed by
the city council and approved by the
mayor the right of way has already
been granted from the end OF the
bridge eastward to Twentieth street,
and from thence to Fourty-fourth
street, subject to approval of loca-
ton Of line Of track by the city
authorities. We are now ready to
indicate the exact location, and pre-
pared to commence work of con-
siruction road bed and obtaining
right of way over such lands and
premises (private property as the
city does not exclusively control. We
respectfully ask the action Of the
council In the matter Of exact loca-
ton as soon as practicable. Such
immediate action is reque sted as
your honorable body may deem
reasonable and proper to make.
Seek Proteotion OF Rights.
In this connection, while respect
ing in their integrity the rights OF
other railways now In operation
along and in vicinity Of our proposed
route, We expect to be treated with
like consideration by them. and we
may certainly look with confidence
to the action OF the council to see
that no ordinances granting privi-
leges of laying new tracks by other
roads will be passed at the present
time. or in the near future, which
shall interpose obstacles or defeat
the true intent and purpose Of our
rights and privileges hereto 70, e
granted Us, and which we declare is
our purpose to make available by
construction of our tracks within o
short period, and which we are
financially prepared to do.
We are not asking pecunisry aid of
the city, or from any one; conversely
We shall stand ready and be willing
to pay our fair proportionate rate Of
assessments for the projected levee
improvement IS promptly As any
other roads interest, without demur.
We simply ask such grants and priv
ileges to be given Us by ordinance IS
are necessary and indispensable to
our security and protection, now and
for the future. We believe the peo-
pie In Rock leland in general are
favorable to the under saking and will