Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-09-11
NOT ARBITRARILY
Grades in Third Ward Fixed by
Ordinance Several Years Ago,
Not by Engineer.
COUNCIL HEARS COMPLAINTS
New improvement Association Learns
How 1t Was D'one-Meter Bill is
Allowed Full Amount.


the Third ward who were present last
evening at the meeting of the city
council, learned that the grades in that
territory which the property owners
claim are too low, were established
by an ordinance several years ago,
and are not furnished arbitrarily by
City Engineer Treichler, as some of
them had been led to think. The prop
erty owners were heard on the matter,
and they protested that the grades are
so low that the corner at Twelfth av-
enue and Fourteenth street will be-
come pocket for the surface water
This Mr.. Treichler says it not true,
and even if it were. there is no rem
edy except by ordinance. The asso-
citation in communication asked that
blue prints be prepared showing the
grades, for the purpose of an investi-
cation of the matter The committee
was Informed that special set of blue
prints would cost about $35 and that
if it was desired to see exactly what
the grades are. the maps of the board
of local improvements are accessible
The question was finally referred to
the street and alley committee and the
city engineer to report
Bids Were Too High.
Mayor McCaskrin made report
from the board of local improvements.
stating that the bids for the construc-
tion of the drains in the No. storm
drain district, the first secion of the
drainage system, exceeded the esti-
mated cost for the Improvement by
about $4,000, the estimated cost being
over $4,000. The bids were opened
yesterday by the board, three con-
tractors submitting proposals on the
work The report was adopted, all
bids rejected, and the board instructed
to readvertise for bids for the work
1t is thought that reliable bidders can
be found who will do the work at a
cost within the estimate on which the
assessment roll was based.
To Pay the Bill.
The council finally disposed of the
dispute over the bill of the National
Meter company of 1920 for so meters
ordered by former Alderman John p.
Sexton as chairman of the waterwOrks
committee, by voting to allow the bill
at the full amount. The bill before
was allowed at S37S. Alderman Ben
son first offered a resolution repudiat-
ing the action of the superintendent of
the waterworks in using four of the
meters. and instructing him to return
the meters. and disclaiming any liabil-
ity for the bill The other members
took the position that the city had
made itself liable. and that in any case
Superintendent Cavanaugh should not
be censured. Lperintendent Cava-
naugh expressed the opinion that the
meters are worth the full amount
charged for them in comparison with
other meters. After a brief discussion
Alderman Sherwood moved as a sub
stitute for the resolution of Alderman
Benson, that the bill be allowed The
substitute carried, 10 to 4, Aldermen
Benson. Brooks, Anderson, and Trenk-
enschuh opposing it. The aldermen
generally expressed their disapproval
of the manner in which the order was
given, but objected to any criticism of
superintendent Cavanaugh
Welcome the Mayors.
A resolution was passed by the
council, extending to the mayors and
delegates who attend the convention
of Illinois mayors here Thursday and
Friday, a most hearty welcome to the
city. An invitation extended by May
or McCaskrin on behalf of the con-
vention. for the aldermen to attend
the sessions of the convention, was
unanimously received and accepted
Junk Yard Again.
1.,oe IN +bot 70
owner of the junk yard on Seventh av
enue, between Eleventh and Twelfth
streets, protest against which is now
before the committee, is hauling junk
onto the premises, though ordered not
to do SO until the question is settled
by the council. The owner was given
notice by the mayor, acting on the in
structions of the council. and neigh
bors who were among those protesting
stated that the order had been ignored.
Mayor McCaskrin gave assurance that
the hauling of junk should cease this
morning. or arrests would follow.
New Ordinances.
An ordinance amending the one reg
ulating peddlers. transient traders,
clairvoyants and mediums, and in
creasing the license fees for these peo-
pie. and another amending the ordin-
ance prohibiting the running at large
of cattle and fowl. were presented and
laid over to the next meeting under
the rules.
For Farmers Carnival.
The petition of the committee of the
Central Presbyterian church in charge
of arrangements for the farmers carni- |
val and manufacturers exhibit which |
will be given during the week of the |
Farmers National congress here, was
received, and permission to use As feet |
Of Fifth avenue south of the rink, and |
the alley north of the rink, granted to |
the committee for the week. The |