Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-08-04
TO PUT STOP
TO EXCAVATION
IN EAST END
Council Takes Steps to CompeI
Moline Stone Company to
Fulfill Obligations.
HAS CUT TOO FAR NOW
Police Ordered to Take Action-Ordi-
nance to Compel Removal of Poles
Is introduced.

ne city council does not propose W
allow the Moline Stone company TO
continue to excavate on streets and
alleys without permission. According
to Alderman Ellinwood, who brought
the matter before the regular meeting
last evening, the company has not
Needed the boundaries fixed by its ord
nance of Dec. IL, 1903. and has ex-
cavated where it pleased, and with no
regard for the provisions of the ord
nance. The company was allowed to
excavate in an alley between Forty
fifth and Forty-sixth streets, near the
river, for a distance of not to exceed
Is feet, and this excavation was to be
spanned by bridge of prescribed con-
struction. Alderman Ellinwood's fig
ures given to the council show that
feet where it was allowed Is by the
ordinance. The bridge has not yet
been constructed. The ordinance plac-
ed a boundary of 100 feet from Forty
fifth street, within which the company
was not to eXcavate. Alderman Film
cavation is now within about S5 feet
of Forty-fifth street, Is feet further
than the boundary.
Chief to Act.
The alderman desired action that
would compel the company to stop
work in forbidden places, and to
force it to fill the excava-
tions not made under the
rights granted by the ordinance. The
council adopted resolution declaring
the company to be maintaining a nui-
sance, and ordering the chief of police
to enforce the ordinance and the city
attorney to take such action as is
necessary to protect the citys inter
ests in the matter.
Chief Eckhart today served notice
on the company in Moline to stop the
work, fill up excavations not author
lied, and construct the bridge at once,
and otherwise comply with the ordi-
nance. The city attorney will take
steps to enforce the order.
II may be that the controversy start
GU last evening Will hilt Ilo way W lllC
courts. and be another suit to add to
the several now on file in the circuit
court against the company. Property
holders have at different times sued
the company for damages because of
violations of the city ordinance, and
for injury to property resulting from
the blasting.
For Smoke Ordinance.
An ordinance designed to abate the
smoke nuisance which is already a
great annoyance in this city, was in
troduced last evening, and referred for
further consideration. The ordinance
is one framed by the city attorney, and
is partially copy of the Chicago ord
nance on the subject. 1t provides pen
alties for allowing smoke to become 8
nuisance.
To Remove All Poles.
An ordinance of more than ordinary
interest was introduced last evening
1t proposes to compel the removal Of
all poles for electric wiring from the
streets and alleys, and to bring abou
underground wiring entirely. City AT
tor~ey Witter copies the ordinance il
a large measure from the one of Rich
mond, Va, which after its adoption
was the subject of lengthy battle il
the courts. until it finally received thu
legal approval of the supreme court o
the United States.
The mayor stated that the Contra
Union Telephone company had inform
ed him that it is ready to take it
wires underground, and it is believes
that there will be little objection to tn
ordinance, if it is made to apply to tn
fire districts or some district smalle
than the entire city.
Wheel Tax Again.
The wheel tax ordinance was u
once more, and next week it will be u
for adoption. The entire schedule wa
altered in the measure presented b
Alderman Tuckis, so that the rate fo
autos with seats for two persons is s
and with seats for more than two pc
sons $3.50. Auto trucks and busse
will be taxed Sis under this schedule
The rate on horse-drawn vehicles
unchanged, ranging from 81 to $40.
Buy strip for Street.
In order to widen Railway avenu
between Forty-first and Forty-secon
streets, the city will buy a strip I
land feet wide and 142 feet long, fro
s. B. Hendron. Negotiations have bee
under way for some time for this str
of land, and deal has bee
made whereby the city acquir'
the strip for 800, on cond
ton that certain grading be don
AT the present time the street is b
is feet wide at certain points. AS Il
avenue takes much of the heavy tray
from Fifth avenue, it is consider'
wisdom to widen it while the land C;
be secured.
Action Ii Deferred.
The ordinance changing the meth'
OF procuring water meters and the pr