Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-04-27
THE STEAMBOAT SIDE
Capt. John Streckfus Has q
Proposition Anent Levee
Warehouse.
SUGGESTS THAT CITY BUILD 1T.

And Then Make 1t Open to All Boats. at
n Certain Per Cent OF the Investment.
for the Privilege of Using 1t, and Prohibit
the Erection of Any Other Structure on
the River Front.
Capt. John Streckfus. owner and
manager of the packets, Winona and
Verne Swain, made a suggestion yes
terday with reference to the levee
warehouse question that is worthy of
consideration as tending toward a
solution of the matter, should the city
determine that a wharf boat will not
answer the purpose of boats landing
here. The stand taken by the city all
along since the completion of the new
river front has been against permit
ting any buildings to be erected on
the levee fit can possibly be avoided,
and under no conditions to counter
ance more than one such a structure.
For this reason the proposal of the
Diamond 10 company to put up fine
up-to-date and attractive warehouse,
provided it could control twas not
received with favor. While the en-
terprise of the Diamond 10 company
was appreciated, and, confident as was
the feeling that the company would
deal justly with all other boats
that might desire to use the house,
contingencies that might in the future
arise could not under an arrangement
of this kind be properly safe-guarded
against. The levee warehouse is a
thing that should be avoided if posi-
BILE, the city has rightly maintained,
but if it is found to be a necessity,
then no more than one should
be tolerated. If this eXigency
arises. it must be an independent af-
fair where all boats coming here now
or at future time must be treated
alike and have equal privileges. Some
time ago the suggestion was offered
that should the warehouse be ac-
cepted that company be formed to
build it. conditional that a uniform Ii
cense be fixed for all boats landing
there. and that no other warehouse lie
permitted on the levee. So far, how
ever, no company has come to the
front to undertake an enterprise of
this kind.
Capt. Streckfus' Proposition.
But now comes CaptF Streckfus'
suggestion which he made in The
ARGUS Office yesterday afternoon.
The best way out of this difficulty"
sad the captain, sis for the city to |
erect the warehouse. A building that |
will answer every purpose. and at |
the same time will be imposing and |
attractive as well as substantial
IN appearance, c1uld be put up. there
for 81, 900. That will represent the |
investment. The city can if need be
borrow the money for the undertak-
ing at sgreasonable rate of interest.
Then let the city charge the steam
boats a certain per cent of the invest
ment for the privilege of using the
and let the steamboats, pro-
vide their own agents. In that way
he city can earn enough to pay its
interest and eventually wipe out the
cost of the enterprise. For my part
would be willing to 60 in to pay say
10 or II or IA per cent of the cost for
he privileges | would enjoy there, and
more than that 1 will obligate myself
o bear a portion of the cost of re-
the structure should it Mt any
lime be destroyed by ice or other
wise.
"And 1 am reasonably sure the
,ther steamboat interests on the upper
will 90 in with me on any
# the conditions of the proposition
ave presented" said Capt. Streck-
us.
Diamond JOS Notification.
Capt. George Lamont, agent of the
4 L, x-S.I tnI fro Il