Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-01-30
A General Expression.

protested that this was not considera- !
ton.
A General Expression.
Al this juncture it was decided tina.
all present be heard on the question. |
Various opinions were expressed. |
P. Sexton said he favored en-
dorsement of the street car COM !
pany's proposition, as it could
not do otherwise than rebound
to the benefit of the laboring |
people and the cities alike. J. f. !,
Larkin and p. J. Cary voiced Mr.. |
Sections sentiments.
Mr.. WEIGH, delegate from Moline,
was radically opposed to the fran |
chises, and pointed out that the COM
pany intended making only such i'm [,
provements as it deemed neces sary to |!
keep pace with the times. He said !,
that if the adoption of the franchise |
came before the Moline council ut its |
next meeting it would 60 through If
money would do the business"
F. 4. Andrews did not doubt the
honesty of TIE company's purpose,
but he believed concessions should be ,
made to the people, too.
Aid. Ii. r. Albrecht. of Moline, de-
MED the allegation that a Moline al
derman could be bought. He be-
lieved in liberal policy in all matters
of public welfare, and that was his po-
sition on the railway company's pro-
position.
Aid Carlson, Of Moline. also favored
the granting of the extension of the
franchise. but would like the councils
to have control of the fares.
| Unreasonable Demands
After hearing the ideas of the dele
gates, Mr.. Lardner arose and stated
that such demands as dividing profits,
Scent fares, ETC., could not be con-
sidered. If the company was met by
| that spirit it would not invest dollar.
In replying to a cooperative plan ad-
vanced by G. f. Morgan, Mr.. Lardner
said: You say if we lose, we suffer
the consequences, but if we happen to
make a little money we shall divide
it with vou.n Mr.. Lardner also took
occasion to reply to the insinuation
about boodling. emphasizing the fact
that his company had not expended
dollar here in n corruptive way. l.. ..
Jahns, of Moline, suspected the COM
panv was trying to secure the extern
sion Immediately, fearing that the
Allen law would be repealed, and the
time of franchises reduced. Mr..
Lardner wished it understood that his
company had no interest in this cor
rupt measure. 1t conducted its bust
ness independently of Chicago or any
other outside city. His company had
already been compelled to suffer the
public's kicks as result of the Allen
law, and now, he asked. if it was
to be obliged to lay down and wait the
pleasure of the Chicago gang.
Committee is Appointed.
J. p. Dromgoole called for the APP
1 pointment of a committee, as moved
by Mr.. Schillinger, and the following
were named by President Davis: j.
Il. Dromgoole, j. w. Cavanaugh, +.
A. Andrews, Rock Island; l.. o. Jahns,
G. F. Daebelliehn, Albert Lockhart.
Moline; j. b. Weizenbach, Bernard
Henley, John Stanton, Davenport.
Secretary Morgan had prepared a
!resolution embodying concessions
desired of the company in the event
of its obtaining the grants desired,
some of which were that franchise
not exceeding 20 years he giFen; that
the standard of wages be maintained;
that the fares be reduced morning
anu CNShlhS iOl inc VI Ming pcpPlc-
that the company share its profits
with the people; disputes be submit
ted for arbitration. and the cities as
sumo control of the franchises at the
Expiration of the present company's
term, providing such move is
thought advisable.
Extension Favored.
j. Z. Larkin moved that the con-
gress endorse the extension of the
franchise, conditionally. This was
carried unanimously. An attempt to
have the committee instructed in ac-
cOrdance with the resolutions pre-
scented by Mr.. Morgan was defeated.
The committee is to report at the
regular meeting of the congress
Feb. y.
! The congress asked that action on
the franchises be deferred by the Rock
island and Moline councils until after
the meeting of the congress Feb. u.
\ vote of thanks was rendered Mr..
Lardner for his remarks.
The meeting was adjourned at Z
p. m.
The congress is certainly to be con-
graduated in it's chairman, Benton
Davis, who Notwithstanding that his
position was trying one yesterday,
in view of the animated discussion,
acted with fairness on al sides, Civ