Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-09-28
COMMITTEE FAILS
City Council No Nearer Investigation
OF WaterwOrks Than in
the Beginning.
OFFICERS AGAIN STAY AWAY
Ignore Notices Served Upon Them
Wait for Regular Council
Meeting.

Five time has the city council. first
in regular session and then in commit
tee of the whole, endeavored to secure
a reasonable degree of light upon the
affairs of the water department and
as often has it been baked through
| the incOmprehensible attitude Of the
city administration in seeking to throw
all possible obstacles in the way
Although nothing of nature neces-
sarily serious has been indicated in
any direct charges so far made the
very fact that the administration, has
been running away from the issue for
matter of some three weeks has
placed the public in a state of mind
where it will not be satisfied with any
| thing but a full investigation. The
position OF Mayor McConOchie and his
assistants would not seem so strange
| had it not been indicated at the be-
ginning that ali that was desired was
chance to show up all the facts and
secure full vindcation.
| WaterwOrks superintendent Ban
|
partly at his request that time was
given for him to prepare for a fair
| hearing. Instead of taking steps TO
| free himself from insinuatiOns that
have been freely circulated he has.
aided by others connected with the adj
ministratiOn, kept sedulOusly in the
rear and according to statements made
in open meetings of the council. exert
ed influence to keep Witnesses away.
Contempt has been shown, not only for
| the city council. but for the citizens at
large who are everywhere demanding
that the facts. damaging or otherwise,
be brought to light.
Inst Evenings Meeting.
Last evening the council met pursu-
ant 10 adjournment. in committee of
the whole. Notice had been served by
Chairman Eckhart on Mayor McCono
chic, City Clerk Schaffer and Water
works Superintendent Bancroft asking
their presence at the meeting. Acting
evidently under advice of legal coun
sci. all three remained away and eff
forts 10 locate one. at least. by tele
phone. was effectively baked. Sc
there was nothing to do but adjourn
as committee and again bring the
question up at the next regular meet.
ing of the council next Monday night
| This at least. was the intention {.
those favoring continuing the attempt
| to investigate as expressed last even
ing.
After Aid. Ecllhart had called the
meeting to order he called in turn for
the mayor. city clerk and the super
intcndent of waterwOrkS. stating that
he had personally served all three with
notice to attend. Neither responding
the suggestion was made that an at
tempt be made to notify the city Eerli
by telephone. Aids. Anderson, Brooks
Benson and Robbins in turn refused tC
act and the duty was delegated to Aid
O'COnnor. The latter called up the
residence of Mr.. Schaffer and learned
that that official was out and had left
no word as to where he had gone OF
when he would be back. The alder
man so reported TO the meeting
Then the views of the aldermen
We're aired and several expressed
themselves as of the opinion that the
council had been sighted and belittled
by the refusal of the city officers to re
spOnd to the invitation TO attend the
meeting. Some insinuations of q
broader nature than had previously
been heard We're INDUCED in.
Wants Specific Charges.
Finally Aid. Robbins, with the air OF