Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-04-23
BRIGHT and ROSY
Is the Outlook for the Tri-CitieS
as Seen by George
D. Mackay.
BIG PROMISE FOR UTILITIES
People Having Extensive Holdings De-
termined to Develop Them to
Fullest Extent.


Our interest in this locality reposes |
in the development of our properties |
And the development of those proper
ties must of necessity depend upon the |
development of the community of |
things that pertain to the advancement
and welfare of any or all of these
mand our heartiest and most earnest
| cooperation. We have vast interests
millions. The original investment in
the securities which we now hold was
SIS 100000. Since then we have made IN
Authorization of million for the re-
Mobilization and development of the
properties. And there is more 70
come"
Il George d. Mackay of New York one
tof the principal financiers included in
the company of New York capitalists
interested in the tri-city utilities, who
spent three days in Rock Island. Mo
line and Davenport was talking with
an Argus representative at the
Harper just before the de
parture of the party for the east
last night, when he made the remarks
quoted.
Have Great Plans.
I'VE have great plans for the inn
prOvement of our interests here" NJ.
Mackay said, "and we are anxious TO
perfect them just as rapidly as pos
sible. We have gone over the grouni
carefully, noted the needs and decided
upon the expenditures to be made IL
order to intelligently attain the high
est degree of perfection. Much money
has already been expended in the i'm
provement of the gas and electric
lplantS of which the public is not
aware. a great deal of new track has
been put down. The sum of 5000. 600
has been appropriated for trackaSe
alone, and work in this direction Will
be resumed and pushed forward the
|
possible. We want to have every
vestige of old rails out of the way by
the close of the year Twenty new
cars are in process of construction a.
the companys shops in the city. The
local company will get as many more
as it asks for and as often as it asks
for added equipment to meet the re-
quirementS of the public
I'VE came here in order to be on the
ground and too see exactly what S
needed. We are more than pleased
with what we have seen. Many of us
| have never been here before. and VIC
are not only satisfied with our invest
| ment, but surprised as we'll as delight
| ed with the prospects before theSt
| three thriving cities. | do not know
of such community anywhere on thu
| map. locality so singularly favorei
by nature or so fortunate geographical
| ly. 1t does not seem to be that there
could ever be any dull times here. will
| the great south and west and north
| west to supply. Regardless of wha
| financial stress may overtake the coun
II try, the development of agriculture
| must go on. The farmer must hayt
| implements and other supplies. an
| right here is the locality to provide f0
his wants With these tire
| cities situated in the middI
= distance between Chicago an
= Omaha in one direction and Chica ,
7 and Kansas City in another, and hal
/ way between St Paul and St. Louis,
H do not see how the sweep of commerce
II can pass through this gate withoU
II paying tribute right here.
II And added to the advantages
u railway commerce, is this great, gran
natural highway, the Mississippi rive
n What beautiful stream it is, majestt
N in its sweep-both the carrier and tn
II regulator of commerce"
@ Has Developed Other Cities.
y Mr.. Mackay stated that it was til
4 firm which he represents that furnis
ed the model street car system at S
Paul and Minneapolis The firm W.
then known as Vermilyn & Co., SUI
ceeded since by Mackay & Co. "Wh,
we did for the twin cities we propo,
TO do on an even larger scale, with II
advantages, of modern appliances f
the tri-cities" he continued. Our plaI
will take at least five years for col
plete development, SO extensive a
they in their scope and magnitude, b
when they are completed the Peep
will have something they can point
with pride. We do not want to bui
hopes too high or to attempt to swiI
the rainbow of promise so low that VI
. can pick the colors off. We are goil
. to do the right thing, and make the
X properties a source of pride and joy.
Ml Before departure last night Mr.. NJ;
* kay and his associates gave an elabt