Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-03-22
CITY FIGURE MET
Mitchell Heirs Agree to the Sale
of Armory Building for
$4,000.
SOME OPPOSITION IN COUNCIL
Mayor and Clerk Instructed to Nego-
tiate Terms-Other Munich
pal Affairs.


cepted the proposition of the city for
the purchase of the property occupied
as the city hall at the corner of Third
avenue and Sixteenth streets for S15,-
600.
The price asked originally was $l7.-
900. The acceptance was read at the
meeting of the city council last even
ing and was accompanied by war
ranty deed. The mayor and the clerk
were instructed to negotiate terms and
report to the next meeting of the al
dermen. when the matter Will be pass
ed on definitely.
There is a division of the council on
the advisability of closing the deal. the
opposition holding that it is Il poor in
vestment owing to the fact that there
is not sufficient frontage in the event
the municipality decided to build, as il
will doubtless, few years hence.
The present quarters are inadequate
for the uses of the city and improve
ments will have to be made if they are
to be longer occupied as the home Of
the municipality. Mayor McConochie
is not in favor of purchasing the pro-
perty.
AID. \. &. Anderson, chairman of
the finance committee, thinks it would
be Il good investment. lie figures that
on the basis of the rental received now
from tenants other than the city the
latter could meet the interest of the
principal and have at least $500 to $500
velvet each year. He holds further
that the property will not deteriorate
in value. and going on. this theory
should there be decision reached 10
years hence to erect a new city hall
the property could be disposed of, per-
haps at profit, surely not nj a loss,
and new site acquired. In the mean
time the city would have the use of
the quarters free of expense.
Twelfth Street Sewer Overtaxed.
Property owners asked permission
to have a 1O-inch pipe laid on Four
teenth street between Ninth and
Tenth avenues to connect with the
Fifteenth street sewer. Aid. Naab
protested against further taxing the
Twelfth street sewer. He was sec
onded by AID Eckhart. who said that
the sewer Overnowed whenever there
was light rain, and he felt that it
was an injustice to have those who
have paid for its benefits to have any
additional connections made. What
was needed for the southwest section
Of the city was a storm drain. but il
would never be secured as long as the
council allowed petitions Aid Birkel
replied that at the last meeting con
nection was permitted and he object
ed to such partiality Icing display
ed by the aldermen. Md. Robbins ia
vored allowing the petition, but only
with the express condition that the
property owners interested pay their
proportionate share when the storm
drain Improvement was undertaken.
The petition was referred to the sew
er committee and city attorney by a
vote of to >.
Damage From Standpipe.
T. L. Bliss had Il communication be-
fore the council complaining of dam
age to his property from overflow
from the standpipe on Thirtieth
street. He owns houses adjoining the
reservoir north and south, and stated
that he had difficulty in holding ten
ants owing to fear of being flooded.
He cited numerous instances wherein
the cellars had been filed and the
water flowing into the living apart
ments. damaging furniture and cloth
ing. Mr.. Bliss said he had been prom
ised relief by members Of the water
works committee. They having fail
ed to do as agreed, he appealed to the
council. If the latter did not give the
matter the desired attention he would
resort to other means. 1t was order
ed, on motion of AID Robbins, that
an electric regulator be placed on the
standpipe. This apparatus will cause
the ringing of a gong at the reservoir
pumping station when the water in
the standpipe reaches a given height.
Object to Frame Building.
William Klockau. the wagon maker,
wants to erect a new shop on his
premises, corner of Fourth avenue
and Sixteenth street. promising to
cover il with corrugated iron and pro-
vide a gravel roof. Aid. f. r. Robbins.
of the fire and light committee re-
ported that his committee feeling
that il was about time . Lal; should
be called On permitting further fra mr
structures in the fire limits. had
agreed to put if up to the council to
pass on the petition of Mr.. Klockau.
The latter was present He said he
was not financially able to put mp Il
brick building now. but if the council
would allow him to go on with rs
contemplated Improvement. in a few
years he hoped to build a shop that
would be an ornament to the locality.
Nd. Eckhart produced the city ordi-
nances showing that the consent of
al the owners Of property in a block
in which il WIS proposed to construct
a frame building was required before
the council legally had the right TO
grant petition of the nature OF Mr..
klockau's. Aid BirkeI did not think
Il was fair for the council To prevent
Mr.. klockau in providing accommoda-
tions for the carrying on of his bust