Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-01-28

ection under the two departments OF
he city is likewise automatic, and
further than this, has been assured by
he city
Permanent grades for streets, alleys
and sidewalks are also positively as
sured by annexation, since the law
makes it the duty of the engineering
department to establish such grades,
and the city engineer has, in addition,
given his word that these grades will
De provided when the time comes
within a reasonable period and on uni
form plan.
And, to make the list complete, the
guarantee the extension of water
mains and street lighting for the new
territory, through appropriations in
he annual appropriation ordinance.
Residents of South Rock Island who
hold to the opinion that it is but 4
question of time when the annexation
will come, argue for action now, when
The city is positively committed to Il
policy of Improvement and benefit for
he new territory. Those favoring an
,exation believe that the slight in
crease in taxes which will result will
be more than made up in the benefits
which will result.
Map is Exhibited.
At the meeting of the city council
last evening, City Engineer Wallace
Treichler, in accordance with the re-
luest of tlA council. exhibited a blue
print of the territory which it is pro
oosed to annex, and showing a plan OF
water main extension to provide ade-
luate fire protection for the present
This extension includes the building
If two mains, one south on Ninth
street from Eighteenth avenue to
Aiken street, tapped with six fire
plugs; the other extending on Seven
teenth street south from Eighteenth
avenue to Aiken street. The city Ell
gineers recommendation is for eight
inch mains, ana when these two main
ines are laid. branch service pipes
can be constructed as desired. This
system will be provided at a cost es
5imatcd at $G,400 and the resolution
for an appropriation is for setting
aside the sum of $4,000 for the pur
pose.
Assuming that the annexation move
ment is successful, under the reSolu
ton adopted the appropriation would
be adopted in May, and the work
would be commenced in the summer
1t would probably be completed tn,
following year.
Not to Township.
Mr.. Donovan, after some little dis
cussiOn had been INDUCED in as to the
details of this plan, thanked the coun
ell for its consideration and for the
spirit shown by the city.
For the benefit of the South Rock Is
land people present, Mr.. Donovan eX
planned that annexation does not brins
this territory into Rock Island town
ship, but merely within the city bound
airy lines. The property will pay tow
taxes for South Rock Island, but no
for Rock Island township.
New Book for Clerk.
The matter of purchasing a new an,
more modern set of books for tn
waterworks department and for TIL
clerks Office was discussed at length
The mayor stated that in a recent cor
yersation win II. F. Butler, who re
Gently made an audit of the city's az
counts, he secured the information
| that the designing of set adapted 70
Rock Islands use would require froT
| two to four months time. AS tn
present set will be completely filled {
the end of the present municipal yea
| the mayor urged that immediate a.
| ton be taken toward securing a me-
and at the same time more moder
set. He stated that the present book
were secured over 10 years ago an
hat since that time the work of tn
Office has more than doubled and thu
the city clerk was being called upo
for too much work To show tn
rate of increase, he gave $500 watt
attachments as the number on til
books at present, as compared
2,200 in 1899. The pay roll is at pre-
ent being made up twice a month i
Istead of monthly, and proportional i
icreases in addition TO those stated al
TO be found in all departments of II
work.
Mr.. Butler stated that a set specis
ly designed for the city's use wou
cost $1,00C, but would save from on
half to two-thirds of the work in Il
clerks office. The council thought Il
price asked rather high for a set
books, and instructed the clerk to &C
lrespOnd with supply houses TO lea