Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-09-27

voting for a pOstpOnement was not to
allow a cry of snap Judgment. He
wanted TO see justice done; give the
men at whom the inquiry was directed
a chance to collect themselves.
At this juncture Aid. Oberg, remark
ing that he had noticed the city attOr-
ney had deserted the committee also,
called on McCaskrin.
Aid. Wilson did not believe any citi-
zen would dare testify falsely before
the committee: that any statements
received by the committee and re
corded by the stenographer could be
relied upon. He understood that any
one uttering false statements before
such a committee could be prosecuted
for perjury just the same as if they
were uttered in the circuit court. Aid.
Wilson did not believe in splitting
hairs on the mode of procedure. What
he wanted to know and what the tax
payers wanted TO know was if the
waterworkS department was being
conducted to the best interest of the
city. 1t had come to a pretty pass if
an alderman could not ask questions
of the head of any department in rela-
ton TO the manner in which he was
conducting the business of the same.
"Shoved out of Their Jobs"
Aid Eckhart repeated his statement
made at the former meeting that there
had been no charges made against
the management of the waterwOrkS
department by the members of the
committee. There had been men
CHI ,f inhC Of hn T,laT
without any explanation. They had
appealed for hearing TO the council.
| The council should accord it to them.
| They were taxpayers and good citi-
zens and were entitled to be heard.
The committee wanted to know also
| by what authority the tapping machine
| for the department was purchased at
Il cost. with attachments, of something
like $500. If a city official refused
to appear before the council he could
be SubpOenaed.
Aid. Sexton saw one way of getting
at the bottom of the junk question. and
that was by an examination of the
last annual report of c. NJ. Witherell.
the former superintendent, and an in
voice of the property now in posses
sion of the department
Aid. OConnor said he was disgust
ed He withdrew his motion for the
appointment of a committee of seven.
Aid. Anderson understood that the
mayor, clerk and superintendent were
to have been invited to last evenings
meeting. Chairman Eckhart replied
that he had received no instructions
to invite them.
Aid. Wilson moved that the three
| officials named be sent for immediate
ly He suggested that the wagon be
sent after them.
Aid. Anderson importuned calmness.
1t was growing late to disturb a man
in his home The gentlemen whose
presence was desired. he felt conf
dent. would respond, if they were
properly invited.
Not Officially Notified.
Aid. Eckhart agreed with Aid. An
derson. Aid. Anderson reminded the
committee as long as the officials
named had not been notified officially
they had not been notified at all
Aid. Sexton thought he remembered
AID. Anderson stating earlier in the
evening that the committee had no
official being and therefore could not
notify officially.
Aid. Benson said the impression
among the committeeman seemed to
be that if the officials were notified
they would not attend another meet
ing. and he could see nothing to be
gained by an adjournment.
A motion of Aid. Sections that City
Clerk Schaffer be telephOned for to
appear before the committee was car
ried. Aid. Sexton volunteered 20 call
the clerk. He reported that Mr..
Schaffer was not at home
The committee thereupon adjourned
on motion of Aid Sexton until 100
this evening. when City Clerk Schaf-
fer with his books. and Superintend
ent Bancroft. are TO be notified to be