Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-01-30
LABOR ENDORSEMENT
Tri-City Congress Fayors Rail.
way Extensions on Con-
dition.
LIVELY DISCUSSION BY THE BODY.

Large Attendance at a Special Meeting
at the Industrial Home Yesterday-J. f.
Lsrdner Explains Position of His Cor
poration and What 1t DesIres-yarious
Opinions Expressed.
An extension of its franchise, as
asked by the Tri-City Railway COM
pany, was recommended, condition.
ally, by the Tri-City Labor congress
at special meeting held Yesterday
afternoon in the Industrial home
There was lively discussion of the
question before action was taken, and
while there were many opposed to
long franchises, very few expressed
them selves against the proposition of
the railway company, realizing the
advantages to the cities and people
alike that would follow the granting
of the right that it seeks.
The assembly hall was filled when
2:30 by President Benton Davis, of
Moline. Mr.. Davis stated the object
of the gathering to be one in which
the people generally, and the laboring
men particularly, were interested.
They came together for fair discussion
and Intelligent deliberation. They
should not put themselves in the light
of obstructionists. In the absence of
Il thorough knowledge of the situa-
ton j. F. Lardner, general manager
of the Tri-City Railway company, was
invited to address the congress. He
said he thought the public was inter-
ested in the street car service, and his
company was DESTROYS that what it
was doing, and intended and hoped to
do, should be known and freely
discussed. He reviewed the history
of the street ear system, and drew a
picture that all could well appreciate
of the transformation from the bob
tail horse car to the Introduction of
electricity and improved equipment
and rapid transit-all accomplished
within the short period of 10 years,
but entailing the loss of an enormous
sum to the Chicago capitalists who
invested their money here for specu-
lative purposes. They never realized
4 dollar on their investment, Mr..
Lardner said. The property had now
passed into the hands of Davenport
Rock Island and Moline citizens-men
and improve and were willing to 90
ahead and put more money into the
enterprise build extensions and in
every way better the service. conf
dent in the belief that the public
would stand by them in giving them
such support as was necessary to exc
cute this progressive spirit.
Service Ahead OF Towns.
Mr.. Lardner said the service was 10
years ahead of the locality, and stand
ing alone, neither of the cities could
expect to enjoy such a system. For
instance. the Moline Central was
compelled TO 90 out of bust
ness. 1t was to be purchased
| by and operated in conjunction with
| the Tri-City company, provided the
| franchise sought was allowed in time
to take advantage of the 60-day OPP
| ton that had been secured on the
property. Mr.. Lardner said his COM
pany, in order to 90 ahead with the
| Improvements contemplated, must
have capital. 1t must borrow. and
| to get a desira bic loan must show Mt
least 25-year franchise; in other
words an extension of ID years to its
present grant. His company had not
| the finances TO do the things it wanted
to do, and as the system was not
more than paying operating expenses,
| the company was obliged to mortgage
its property and trust to the future for
returns. To illustrate the street car
advantages enjoyed here, Mr.. Lard
ner referred to Iowa CITY, where a
$40, 900 bonus, with liberal franchise
thrown in, had been offered to any
one who would go there and put in
an electric line.
Stand on Its Record.
Mr.. Lardner said his company was
willing 10 stand on its record in deal
ing fairly with the public and its en-
ployes. 1t came here under the hard
est of circumstances. Hours If
work for its men had been reduced
voluntarily by the company, and
wages increased in the same manner.
and the company hoped to make
further concessions in these directions
when conditions warranted. He said
his company did not want anything
but what was just. His company did
not want TO take snap Judgement. 1t
wanted to do everything open and
above board and with the full knowl-
edge of the whole people. His COM
panv was only asking right to exist
and do business-ale lease of life.
w. II. Schillinger moved the ap-
pointmcnt of n committee of three
from each city to confer with the city
councils and representative of the
street car company, and to guard the
interests of the laboring people in tine
matter of procuring such concessions
as were possible in the extension Of
the company's franchises, and if nee
essary at any time to call a special
meeting of the congress for action.
c. J. Searle, upon invitation, adj