Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-07-24
WOULD USE ISLAND
West of Fort Armstrong Avenue
for 6oathouse and Nat
atoriusn.
SUGGESTION OF THE MAYOR
Promises to Endeavor to Secure Gov.
ernment's Permission to Estab-
Iish One There.
Rock Island, ILL.,, July "a

H
Editor Argus: The agitation now
going on concerning the proper place
for river natatorium, boat harbor.
and boat house has reached, finally.
one proposition upon which all are
agreed and that is: Rock Island needs
the point of the government island for
beach and boat harbor. The question
Immediately arises how are we to pro-
cure this point for such purposes?
Many have said it will be an easy
matter to get permission to use this
unclaimed piece of ground for such a
splendid resort, while others seem to
doubt the ACCESSIBILITY of such an IN
dertaking and others say that it is an
impossibility to attempt such an enter
prise. Unless you can have the assist
ance of some powerful influence like
the Rock Island railroad which, by rea-
son of such a splendid point of attrac-
ton along its line, would in the future
reap rich rewards from the number of
passengers carried to this resort on
holidays and upon excursions.
In fact. this city can, if given the per
mission by the government, build
place that will be unequalled upon the
banks of the Mississippi river for the
purpose of a resort.
A splendid club house fine boat
house. a clean, sandy beach with thous-
ands of people gathered at the waters
edge, enjoying the real benefits of the
Clean flowing river, will bring to this
city many thousands of people in a
year.
Neglect Opportunities.
The real truth is the people that live
along the river are negIecting some
of the real advantages that are there
and can be had for the asking and then
4 little effort applied with proper sys.
tenn of management, and we will have
what the cities have in the east.
Now. as for myself, | have this to
say: | will make an effort to procure
this point of the government beginning
at the point of the island Immediately
where the wagon bridge touches the
land across the slough and take the
circle around to the point of the rail
road bridge.
AS a city there can be no greater
acquisition to her advantages in the
future than to go after this enterprise.
t will do just what parks do toward
great metropolitan cities. 1t will fur
nish for the youth and the great mass
of people of the tri-cities what we need
most and that is a place to go to spend
an hour or two and then be able to get
back to work. 1t will be a great advan
tage as a money saver to our citizens.
1t will furnish great place to estab-
lish fine headquarters for a naval post.
This city has fine naval company
and can get many fine boats and equip
ments if only the city will provide the
necessary accommodations.
With this brief statement to the pub
lie. l would invite you to publicly eX-
press your views upon such an enter
prise. GEORGE w. M'CASKRIN.
Hear Committee Report.
This evening at Mayor McCaskrins
office the adjourned meeting of boat
and launch owners will be held. At
this time the committee appointed to
investigate the best location for har-
Dor for small boats will make report.
1t is probable that a permanent boat
owners association or boat club will
be organized this evening, with its OBJ