Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-03-14
CREMATORY I'M CITY
For Disposal of Garbage is Pro-
posed at Meeting of
Council
IN INTEREST PUBLIC HEALTH
Garbage is Now Dumped in the River
TO Discard Veteran
Horses.

| ton that may be introduced in the
city of Rock Island during the year.
In the larger centers this has long
been the means of disposing of the
offal, and with the advance of SAM
tary restrictions, the smaller commun-
tiles are falling in line.
At the meeting of the city council
| last evening Aid. Charles Oberg
preached the subject. He said it was
| barbarous to dump this offal. filed
with the germs of disease, into the
| river, allowing it TO percolate in wat
| er that is drawn into the mains of
| cities south of here and consumed in
the homes.
With a crematOry established at a
point convenient of access there could
be organized system of collecting the
garbage that would be an improve
ment over the one in vogue now. when
1t was gathered in wagons and hauled
| to the lower end of the city and I'M
loaded in the dumpboat. which was
piloted out in the middle of the river
and its cargo dropped in the stream
from which millions of human souls
in the cities at the south Of us look
to for their daily supply of drinking
water.
Investigation IS Ordered.
There is to be made an investiga-
ton of the cost of providing a plant
Of the character suggested. Mayor
McCOnOchie stated that he had re-
ceived a number of communications
from builders of garbage crematcries,
and he spoke of one company that
had been installing plants in several
cities in the west.
He would look up the name and ad-
dress and furnish them to the health
and street and alley committees who
were delegated to act with him in as
certaining as to the cost of the i'm
provement. The mayor said that
doubtless where the greatest difficulty
would be met would be in locating the
destroying plant.
While he understood the garbage by
this process was disposed of without
the slightest odor, still there would be
naturally opposition from all those
having their homes in the neighbor-
hood that might be favored as a lOca-
ton for it. But that was a PROPOSE
ton that could be met when it was
reached. He favored having a crem2
tory in the city. It was a sanitary
measure the value of which was rec
ognized and appreciated by other cit
les. and Rock Island doubtless would
find the investment profitable one in
more directions than one.
Homes for Old Horses.
There are four horses that have
been doing fire duty on the city de
partment for upwards of Is years.
Two are connected with the Central
station and the other two are with
No. company in the west end. The
mayor said that he did not believe
much could be had for them if they
were placed on the selling market.
But he did not want TO see these faith
full animals knocked down to the high
est bidder. They had done a great
service for the city, and it would not
be human now. that their days of use
fulness are over. to throw them out
on the cold world where the slow ami
NAL has little show. He would like
TO see them placed with persons hav-
| ing only light work for them to per
form and by whom there was reason
| to believe they would be treated well.
| The disposition of the horses was left
to the fire and light committee.
Mr. Gaetjer's Bill Again.
c. F. Gaetjer, commissioner of Long
view park. is willing to settle his ac-
count with the city for $3.50. This is
500 less than the sum allowed by
/ Ill h.
ago. Mr. Gazetteer is not asking com
Ipensation for his personal services, for
there is no salary in connection with
the position of park commissioner
provided under the ordinances, but
for the use of his horse in labor per
| formed on the 40-acre tract. for the
Iuse of his basement and barn for stoT-
age of tools belonging to the city. and
for various other incidentals, all of
! which he does not remember. The
account extends over three years.
Payment of the bill has been held up
for the reason that the council failed
Ito specify from which fund it should
be drawn. Aid. L. V. Eckhart stated
last evening that he has told the city
clerk that if he intended paying Mr..
ton, preventing him doing 50 until
there has been rendered an itemized
statement. not that the sum sought
was not justly owing Mr.. Gaetjer. but
| simply because il was not business.
Communication Returned.
Aid John O'COnnOT read a communi-
cation from Mr.. Gazetteer in which he
said that he was DESTROYS of closing
mp the matter. and TO indicate his dc
sire 70 be fair he would make the cut
of 500 Aid O'Connor said that Mr..
! Gaetjer surely had been patient; that
If the city was owing him he should
be paid. He wanted 10 see the Incl
dent closed al any rate. The commun-
| ication was ordered returned to Mr.
Gaetjer with a request for an item
lied statement.