Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-12-03
FOR BETTER ALARM.
Council Takes Steps to Recon-
struct the System Through
the Police Department.
THE COST IS NOMINAL
Estimated % Boxes Can Be Equipped
for $163.2o, or Less-Ordinance
on Heating Cars.

BY authorizing the purchase of GER
tain mirior parts, the city council last
evening took the first steps toward
giving Rock Island a police alarm sys-
TEN at least and perhaps a fire
alarm system that Will furnish rea-
sonable protection to the city prop
erty. The action of the council was
simple, and the plan on which the
alarm system is to be rebuilt is so
simple that it is a wonder some one
had not thought of it before now.
The councils action consisted in the
adoption of a resolution offered by
Alderman Ostrom, authorizing the
health and police committee to pur-
chase the call boxes and telephone in
struments needed to place the system
in condition. After some little discus
sion of the cost, and DR.. Ostrom had
explained that all of the material need
ed will not, it is estimated, cost over
$lG2.2O. and probably much less than
that amount, the resolution was adop-
ted.
Police DO the Work.
The plan, for which Electrician
George Hill and Chief Eckhart of the
police department are responsible, Is
to have the necessary call boxes cast,
and to secure the required telephones
The boxes will then be equipped and
connected by the police department.
Mr.. Hill supervising the work. 1t is
believed that the city will not be re
quired to pay for the necessary tele-
phone instruments. but if they are
purchased. the "a Instruments can be
bought for $3.50 each. The call boxes
can be provided for $3.50 each.
OF simple Construction.
The boxes are of simple construc-
ton. a diaf in the center is provided
with an indicator for a patrol call, of
ficer's report. special report. fire alarm
call, or telephone call. The wires and
attachments are all exposed in the
, box, so that the complicated features
of some boxes ARE eliminated. One of
= the boxes has been erected in an ante
room at the police station, for the pur-
pose of demonstration. and it's work
ings have been examined with inter
est By the aldermen
The idea of thus reconstructing the
alarm system was copied from Peoria,
after the police officers. Mayor Schaf-
fer. and several of the aldermen made
a trip to Peoria to examine the work
there.
Certainly il Needed.
hot ha ole
system are needed is certain. AS Aid
erman Ostrom, in presenting the mat
ter, stated: The city has no fire and
police alarm system worthy of the
name at the present time. One is alb
solutely required, and something must
be done" The aldermen appeared of
the opinion that the plan of the police
department is a good one, and at any
rate only a small amount is risked in
the experiment. If the work gives the
satisfaction it promises, and "a alarm
boxes are equipped, the system will be
that much nearer to adequacy and eff
ficiency. And every little bit helps
Those who advocate the plan state
that for $1G3.20, or less, the city will
secure a system which it would cost
thousands to have installed by the
Gainwell company.
To Heat Cars.
An ordinance resulting from the pro
crastination of the equipment depart
ment of the Tri-City Railway company
in installing heaters in its cars on the
Long View and Elm street lines, was
introduced by Alderman Ostrom. The