Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-07-07
PROPOSE The
Wheel TAX FOR
ROCK ISLAND
Ordinance for Licensing All We.
hicIes Used on Streets is In
troduced in Council.
ACTION ON IT DEFERRED
VIII Be Taken Up in Committee of
Whole-New Electric Inspection
Scheme is Suggested.

The licensing of vehicles, as is done
| in Chicago under the wheel tax ordi-
nance. is proposed for Rock Island.
and at the regular meeting of the city
council last evening an ordinance
which is an exact copy of the one in
force in Chicago was introduced by
| Alderman Tucllis. The matter was re-
ferred 10 a meeting of the committee
of the whole for discussion.
| The measure is proposed, it is I'M
derstood, as a substitute to the $1,000
saloon license ordinance as a means
of adding to the municipal revenues.
In view of the fact that it directly
breaches a large portion of the popula-
ton. its considerat on will attract more
than ordinary interest. The proposed
ordinance makes it unlawful for any
iperson, firm or corporation to use or
allow its agents to use, on the streets
of the city, any wagon or other vehicle
for the transportation of persons or
property, unless such wagon or vehicle
be licensed The ordinance does not
apply to street cars running on metal
lie rails. The ordinance provides in
detail for the application for licenses.
Fees to BE Charged.
The fees to be charged are regulated
by the number of horses for which
the wagons or vehicles are designed
land are as follows: One-horse wagon
So d year two horses SO; three horses
SIS; four horses, S25; six horses or
more. S35. Automobiles with seats for
two persons are charged $12, and with
seats for two or more persons, 500
Automobile trucks coaches and busses
are to be charged $40 year. 5
Funds for Repairs.
The ordinance expressly provides
that the funds received from the Ii
cense fee are to be kept separate. and
may be used only to pay the cost OF
street or alley Improvement or repairs
The licensed vehicle must bear {
metal plate, to be furnished by the city
clerk on payment of the fee, and this
plate shall state the number OF the Ii
cense and the class to which the We
| hicle belongs, and the year for which
r it is licensed. This plate must be at
= tached TO the right side of the wagon
! where it can be seen, and it is to b.
: unlawful for any vehicle TO be used OIL
( the streets unless ii bears this plate
Automobiles are exempted from the re
1uirement relating to the metal licens
plate = penalty of from SIS to SO
fine is to be imposed for violation @
The terms of the ordinance
Prompt Opposition.
Alderman Tuckis had hardly finishe
o reading the ordinance when Alderma
Frick was on the floor, protestin
against the measure. He assumed tha
L would not reach the heavy coal an
lproduce wagons that come into the cit
q from the surrounding cities and tn
/ rural districts. and bitterly opposed
# as unfair and unnecessary.
5. When it had been duly referred
d the committee of the whole, he wante
n 20 recall it and have it voted on imm,
e 1iately evidently counting on its d.
e feat.
IS is that all you have?" asked til
o mayor of Alderman Tuckis. "Yes, you
k honor" replied the alderman.
re .sWell, should hope SO" interrupte
Ie Alderman Prick. THAT ought to /
10 enough"
lel Provide for Paving.
VI The council adopted-the ordinans
~ FOR the paving of Twelfth street b
nj ween First and Fourth avenues. Tt
y, street is to be paved with brick, IL
n estimated cost of the Improvement b
i'll ling $7,547.50. This work will cor
lplete the Twelfth street paving, an