Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-04-18
FOR A BIG STATION
Mysterious Bill No. TIT Before
Legislature Flooded
With Light.
WOULD LEGALlZE MERGER
And Permit Erection of $25,000,0Oo
Structure at Chicago-Other At
fairs at Springfield.

Springfield, H., April 1S.-The great
est and most costly railway station in
the world is promised Chicago by the
Chicago & Western Indiana railroad.
1t will be built if the legislature passes
mystery bill III" in the house. This
information was given out in connec-
ton with an explanation OF the bill,
which purpOrts to validate railroad
consolidation in the year 1882 and bond
issues Hereunder.
Without such legislation as is asked
in the bill, which has been the victim
of dark-lanteTn methods in its advance
ment. about $35 100000 in outstanding
bonds would rest under a cloud. it is
! said.
Three in Merger.
| General Counsel w. J. Henly of the
Chicago & Western Indiana, which is
a merger of three short Chicago rail
roads and owns the Polk street rail
way station in Chicago, made his state
ment at a public hearing yesterday af-
| ternOOn. All members of the house
were invited TO receive light on the
mystery bill. He explained that the
railroad authorized a bond Issue of
$4,000 five years ago. and that about
$2G.000 had been issued. in addition TO
which there is outstanding an earlier
bond issue of $9,O00,000.
Flaw in Bond Issue.
The greatest anxiety of the company
officials, Mr.. Henly said. was with ref
erence To the issuance of the remain
ing $24,O00.000. as the selected trustee
tthe Illinois Trust company has dis
covered Il flaw. Three railroads had
Joined in the merger. whereas the law
Debate Convict Labor.
The house yesterday afternoon took
up Mr.. Chiparfield's bill prohibiting the
employment of more than 40 per cent
of convicts in manufacturing. and after
a parliamentary debate postponed con
sideration of the bill. The vote on post
ponement was - to 60 and it is no
likely that the bill will pass the house
Coyle's bill providing for the appoint
ment of an education commission Il
report to the next general assembl!
with recommendations TO form a sys
TEN of text books for the public school,
and on other matters. was reported on
favOrably by the house committee OF
appropriations.
J. Handle with Care.
The house committee on railroads
after striking out all the new provis
ions recommended by the state raj
o road commission. reported out favor
, ably house bill 403. The railroad con
, mission wanted the powers of the con
. mission so extended that it would con
pei a uniform system of accounting b
, interstate railroads. This omissio
= emasculates the bill
The senate committee on judiciar
yesterday afternoon voted to report fl
lvorably the bill making it a penitel
A tiary offense TO entice children, an
|" providing the boys between ages of
n and 81, found guilty of wrong condu'
with girls may be sentenced under j
# venile court laws.
n Public Civil Service Board.
II The house committee on municip
a. corporations took favorable action c
is the bill of Brownies establishing a pu
lie service commission to fix the wag,
and working hours of public utility &C
pOrations and to fix the annual rate
I'll to be charged by such corporation
@, The bill fixes the maximum charge
the street car service, gas 600 cents
electric light, telephone, and water.
PASSES Anti-Cigaret Measure.
w Springfield, H., April 1S.-The hou
y. passed the Young anti-cigaret bill ma
ing it unlawful to sell cigarets or ci