Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-05-05

streets, and at least two blocks on Twentieth
street, between Second and Fourth avenues
should be repaired, that is, a new top course
costing perhaps less than one dollar per
yard for No. l GaIesburg brick.
DesirabnIty of Expansion.
1t is the policy of all live, wide-awake
progressive cities, whenever possible, to look
out for their future welfare, safeguarding SO
far they can their rights and interests as
cities. And know of no way in which bet
ter results can be obtained than in the an
nexation of contiguous suburban territory.
In most suburbs land is laid out and plated
without regard to uniformity, and a rule
is sold by metes and bounds. according to
the wishes and views of the individual land
owner. In other words, he Will lay IL out to
get the most money out Of it possible, with
out any regard to the general welfare. Some
cities have annexed large areas CT farm land
which will remain undivided for years to
come. But whenever it is divided and plat
ted the City Councils VIII have something
to say as to how it shall be laid out
Personally l am in favor of annexing a
good wide strip of South Rock Island, ex-
tending from the Moline line the east to
the Mississippi river the west. But
realize fully that whenever such a movement
is inaugurated it will meet with opposition,
both within and without the city from a
whole lot of selfish individuals who may
think they will be injured thereby. But when
the first step is taken, and it will be in the
South Rock Island, who will take it Just as
soon as they realize that the benefits of such
a union will be mutual.
Interurban Railways.
Since the introduction of electricity as a
motive power, the street railway systems
have been enlarged and perfected to SUCH
an extent, that they are now reaching out into
the farming communities, extending their
lines everywhere. Illinois a few years hence
like New England and the Middle States,
will be a perfect net work of inter-urban
lines, not only connecting cities, towns and
villages and the farms, but reaching out to
the coal fields. forests and quarries, and not
only carrying passengers. light freights,
such goods, butter and eggs, but also the
heavier freights, grain, stone. wood and coal,
and at rates far below railway tariffs. All
enterprising cities through their social clubs
and commercial organizations backed ard
supported by live progressive City Councils,
using all honorable means, Offering every
reasonable induccment to any company
which has the backing and means business,
which owns and controls lines leading from
all directions, centering IN their respective
cities. The lower end OF Rock Island county
is rich productive farming country. but not
convenient and accessible to US. Its trade
naturally belongs here at the county seat.
but for lack of communication much of that
trade is diverted to ether cities and towns and
some of those cities and towns are in other
states. / am not kicker. and don I want 70
criticise the action of our Board of Super
visors. but as a citizen and a taxpayer OF
Rock Island. l don't like to be compelled to
pay taxes for the maintenance and construc-
tion of roads that take the people of Rock Is
land county 10 Muscatine to do their trading.
In the southwest part of our county, is a
vast rich territory, not reached by railroads.
where the roads in certain seasons of the
year are impossible where there is coal.
wood and stone in abundance. The grades