Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-12-18
THE ARMY MAY MOVE,
Citizens Complain Against Sal
walton Meeting Dis.
turbances.
MAYOR AID COMMITTEES INQUIRE

SaRgestioa That the Barracks BE Locsts d
In Neighboraood n. - Remote From
the Business Section Rsvs. o. o. Mo.
Cullleh and Ira ". Allen and Enslgn
Groomss Appear In Behalf Of the Soldiers.
An inquiry into the alleged nui-
sance accustomed by the Salvation
Army meetings in the barracks at
1910 Second avenue was conducted
by Mayor Medill and the health and
police committee at the city council
chamber last evening. After hear
ing the complaints Of business men
located In the vicinity OF the bar
racks and those who were present to
defend the Salvationists. the COM
mittee decided that the army could
not be termed other than q private
nuisance. and report to this effect
viii. be made to the council at its
next meeting. In the meantime the
Salvatiopists may look up another
location to move to.
The army's barracks are now in
the third door OF the BeDgston build
ing. C J. Long. NJ. NJ. Briggs.
and j. w. Qoillan, the for
mer having store and the latter
two offices in the block. told the
committee that the conduct Of the
people attracted by the meetings was
very annoying to them. and MIR.
Quillan felt that he could not stand
1t much longer, and would have to
move. otis not the Salvation
Army" said Mr.. Briggs. 1--WE haven't
. word against them; it's the people
they attract. We don't think bus
mess block is q proper place for
church, and We do think they ought
to get . place where they won't an
noy their neighbors."
Ensign Groomes, in charge Of the
local army. said he had been in Rock
Island since Nov. 1. His rule was
always to maintain good order, and
he felt he had succeeded, in doing
this. City Attorney Marshall said
there was no doubt Of the horn blow
ing and drum beating being annoy
ing to other people in the block. and
he felt that it would only be just for
the army to seek other quarters.
Mayor Medill suggested First avenue
as more suitable location for the
army. Aid. Wheelan coincided with
the mayors views. Eevs. c. D. Nc
Cuiloch and Ira w. Allen spoke in
defense of the Sslvationists, and
trusted the difficulty would be ad-
ljusted with fairness to all concerned.
The Feeling In Rock I.land.
There exists In Book Island no
feeling Of prejudice against the Sal.
vaticn Army or its mode Of religious
worship and means of reaching
the fallen. Unfortunately, how
ever, the barracks are stu
ated where they cause considera.
BILE annoyance in the neighborhood.
the practices of the people attracted
by these meetings occasioning much
more complaint than the racket which
is made. Rock Island people are
broadminded enough to respect all
people in their religious devotions.
and q sentiment contrary to such q
disposition has never survived here.
But the spirit OF respect for the
rights of others should be nantes,
on both sides of the question. The
Salvation Army ought not to desire
to become a nuisance in commun.
ity or . neighborhood, and where
complaints are made it is proper
that some means be sought to Oh
viate the difficulty. The Salvation
Army may not be public nuisance
and yet may be private one, and
where the interests Of others suffer
through it. it should assist in provid.
ing tho remedy.
The Army has done much good
work in Rock Island, and it is hoped
it will remain in q position to con.
tinue to do so.