Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-09-15

and in avoiding new ones. This was
held to be one of the chief duties be
fore the organization.
DIR. Andreen Heard.
In the absence of Mayor Waldo
Becker of Davenport. who was to have
had place on the program president
Gustav Andreen. of Augustana college
was called upon to respond TO the
toast. "On the Fence" DR.. Andreen
said he had some thing in common
with mayors of cities from the fact
that he is head of an institution of
learning located midway between
Rock Island and Moline and forced
at times to assume the role of medi-
ator. However. with mayors as with
other people, they must get off the
fence before they can accomplish much.
Often the man who is off the fence
finds the opposition strong, but if he
is on the right side of the fence he will
be in position similar to that of the
steamship. that, battling with wind and
waves is given by the very forces that
deter it. a better draught in the engine
room, and a greater steam pressure
which in turn makes its progress more
rapid.
Olson ON Perpetual Contracts.
Mayor Andrew Olson of Moline, was
next introduced. his subject being "Ci-
ties, Towns and Villages" One OF the
things he addressed himself to as an
evil that the association should seek
to remedy. is perpetual contracts
which have tied up many municipal!-
ties. AS an example he referred to the
condition of Rock Island and Moline
with reference to the Central Union
Telephone company. These contracts,
made when the cities We're mere vii
lagos. still hold and threaten TO endure
through all time. working great harm
when operative in cities of the size
of Rock Island and Moline have now
attained. Some law. Mr. Olson said
should be enacted dissoiving SUCH con
tracts. the same TO be passed upon by
the courts.
MediII on Tri-Cities.
Hon. 7. J. Medill. the closing speak
err, was assigned to talk on The Tri
Cities" Owing to the late1ess OF the
hour he made his remarks brief. he
contenting himself with a reference to
the rapid growth of this community
115. 900 people now dwelling within a
radius of seven miles. where but little
more than half a century ago the red
man roamed. The historical associa
lions of the community, it's beauties
and attractions. and the resources from
commercial standpoint We're men
toned.
Before adjournment the committee
named for the purpose earlier in the
day. presented a resolution of thanks
TO Rock Island, the mayor. and to Mo
line and Davenport. for courtesies eX'
tended. and it was adopted.
Organization Perfected.
AT the session yesterday afternoon
at the Illinois theater, the convention
Organized permanent association. I'M
der the name OF the Mayors AssOcia-
ton OF Illinois. adopting bylaws and
electing officers for the year The OBJ
ject as stated in the preamble is to
further good municipal government.
and to establish a bureau of informa-
ton for the benefit of the cities of the
Sldlt. il1G pan DtlliS W SiFN bAiNilA ~
means OF bulletin to be issued dur
ing the session of the legislature. infor-
nation regarding proposed measures.
and measures that are adopted. The
membership includes organized cities
and villages of the state, the mayor or
president being the recognized dele
gate. The membership fee is 50 n
year. In addition to the president.
first vice president, secretary and
treasurer. there is to be vice pres
ident for each county represented in
the association. The association will
be incorporated. An office is to be
maintained at Springfield. and the pub
LEGATION of a monthly bulletin is au-
thorized under the name of the Official
Bulletin of Municipalities of Illinois.
officers Are Chosen.
The following officers were chosen
for the year:
President-Mayor of Rock Island,
George w. McCaskrin
Vice President-Mayor of East ST.
Louis. Silas Cook
Secretary-Mayor of Elg:n. Carl z.
BotsfOrd.
Treasurer-Mayor of Mt. Carroll, [.
z. Beaver
Board of Directors-Jerseyvi May
or Daniels; Vandalia, Mayor Steinhau-
er; Lincoln. Mayor King; Atkinson,
Mayor Nauer; Geneva, Mayor Marstii
ler;. Chicago. Mayor E. F. Dunno;
Dwight. Mayor James Kelagher.
Mayor McCaskrin agreed to issue
the monthly bulletin for the first year
and contribute 500 to the treasury
fund of the association to carry on the
work. and he was named editor Of the
official bulletin for the first year.
The treasurer of the association is
REQUIRED to give a $1,000 surety bond.
Mayor c. E. Beaver of Mt. Carroll
who was elected to this position, is
banker