Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-07-07
SOLUTION IN SIGHT.
Outlook for the Disposition of
leYee Warehouse
Question.
THE MATTER OF FLOATING DOCKS.

In the Event of It's Proving Too Expensive,
| which Seems Likely, the Plans for the
| Shore Bunding Where Common Privi-
| 1eges VIII be Provided VIII be
| offered.
All indications point to an early
solution of the river front steamboat
accommodation question. through the
efforts and energies of the aldermen
who have been working to that end
| for some time. AS heretofore stated
in The ARGUS, the investigation of the
floating wharf as the first initiative
in that direction will be productive
of the desired results, in determining
as to the feasibility of such an enter
prise, and as has been intimated
heretofore. the wharf is likely
to prove impracticable from the stand
point of expense. From the figures
the aldermen, who have looked
into the matter. have obtained from
the Messrs. Kahlke, the foremost
steamb boat builders on the river,
the wharf, according to the plans
prepared, would cost twice as much as
a land warehouse, and would require
much more repairs from season to
season af.erward. But there has
been a great advantage IN ascertain
ing this information as disposiDg of
this feature of the steamb boat question,
fori will satisfy those who all along
have favored the wharfboat idea that
the city has been painstaking and in
whatever course is finally adopted
it will not be without full knowl-
edge of all the various phases of
the situation and of what is best for
all the interests involved The plans
for a warehouse on the levee, owned
and controlled by the city, and which
will be for the joint use of all boats land
ing here, and which; as previously
allude d to, were ordered drawn as soon
as the wharfboat proposition gave
promise of being too expensive, are
practically completed, and will be
submitted to the meeting of the coun-
Gil tonight. These plans contemplate
the finest warehouse along the river.
and will furnish an evidence that
Rock Island in her stand against
special privileges on the river front, was
pursuing the just course, just to every
steam boat interest and just to herself,
and her citizens. The contemplated
building will embrace all the requi-
sites of an up-to-date river depot,
passenger and freight accommoda-
tions aud conveniences, pilots quar-
tiers and abundant room, not only for
present needs of all steamboats, land
ing here, but for any that may come
for some time to come. 1t will fur
thermore be so arranged that in the
event of rivalry between lines all in
terests may be separately and dis
tinctly cared for.
Settles Disputed Question.
By this advantage there will be no
excuse or occasion for any but the one
warehouse on the levee, and thus will
be solved the problem which has con-
fronted the city and her citizens
since the completion of the new
levee of having absolute assur-
ances that there is to be no more than
one building there, and it common to
all. The business men of the city,
realizing the advantages in freight
rates of river traffic, are anxious that
any reasonable course should be
adopted such as will protect it with
out distiguration of great improve
ment which was put in n year ago
with the same high consideration of
the steamboat interests in view