Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1900-04-02

One VIII ray SOU fer Aunum anu inc
Other 500 for Such Accommodations as
the City May Provide and Either Wouid
Like Franchise That all Might Have
Enjoyment of on Fair Terms.
So far as THE ARGUS has been able
to learn through conversing with the
merchants of Rock Island, who have,
through the Retail Merchants asso-
citation, petitioned the city council to
take some action looking to an adjust
ment of the levee warehouse question
in the interest of local commerce, the
position is not taken that business
has suffered so much through the
boycott for which the Diamond 10
line is responsible. as from the mad
equate facilities for the accommoda-
tion of the local packets. This being the
case, the city and the people are more
interested in what the managers of the
short trade boats, both up and down the
river, have to say, than it is in any
proposition from the big packet line,
setting forth the terms on which it will
condescend to bestow upon Rock ISL
and the friendly smile that was so
studiously withheld during all last
season-or so much of the season as
the 10 line boats were in operation.
1t will be remem bered that in the
time that the Diamond 10 boats were
plying the river last year but few
stops were made here, and then for
coal exclusively, and that at such
times the boats slipped in quietly,
avoiding the customary whistle for
the landing, apparently fearing that
an act of this kind might be construed
as signal of good feeling.
But as Rock Island is not consider
ing the warehouse proposition with
the particular object of favoring II
steam boat company that would not
even give US friendly toot ali last
season. the suggestions of the packet
lines that did not go back on the city
are more worthy of consideration. And
the nature of each, as furnished
The ARGUS, affords an idea of the
value that may be placed on such
warehouse accommodations as are
sought on the new levee. Here are
the propositions of the two local pack
ct companies:
Capt. Blair's Vi=ws.
We need a warehouse in
Rock Island.
1t IS very dlhIcuIt to do
business here without one.
One good house would cas-
lily accomm odate all the
packet lines now engaged on
the upper Mississippi.
If the city will build and
maintain such a warehouse
as shown in plans recently
prepared with the necessary
platforms and runwavs, our
company will pay 5000 per
year for the privilege of
using it in common with the
Diamond 10 line and Acme
packet company.
If the city does not build
the house, we are willing to
pay the same amount yearly
10 either of the other COM
panies that builds and main
tains such q house, for the
privilege of sharing equally
with them in it's use. Or we
will build the house, agree
ing to accommodate the other
companies in it, giving them
equal privileges with US for
a reasonable compensation,
and further agreeing in case
of any differences to accept
the decision of the mayor of
Rock Island on any disputed
points. w. A. BLAIR
For Carnival City Packet Co.
From Capt. streckfus.
Rock Island is in need of
warehouse.
am heartily in favor of
an early adjustm emit of the
matter pending.
The Acme Packet company
will pay 500 per annum for
the privilege of using a ware
house erected by the city
similar to the plans sub
mitted.
II given permission by the
city to erect a warehouse, l
would deal fairly with all
other steam boat interests.
and permit all difficulties to
be submitted to the mayor of
Rock Island for arbitration.
CAPT. STRECKFUs.