Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-10-07

things that has come UP in the course
of his service in the council Il am
glad I'm soon to get out of this" said
the alderman, referring to his plan
to remove from the Seventh ward,
which he now serves as alderman.
Then DR.. Ostrom said several things
about the casting of slurs on men en-
gagged in public service, and he said
| them in no uncertain manner. He
concluded by saying: 81 do not con.
| slider that any man is justified in insti-
tuting such proceedings as we have
been indulging in here over this sewer
matter, until he is absolutely sure of
| the facts, He should know what he
| is taking about before he throws any
slurs.'
Alderman Thompson voiced gen,
eral sentiment that the matter snouli
be ended, and as the bill had already
been allowed and paid and the whole
discussion appeared to be on the ques-
ton of the city engineers checking
of the accounts, he offered motion
that the engineers report be accepted
that the engineer be freed of any cen
sure in the matter, and that the mat
ter be closed. Naturally Alderman Elm
wood opposed the motion, but every
other alderman voted in favor of it.
During the discussion Alderman FL
linwood offered an explanation of his
protest. saying that he wanted TO
show that it would have been better
10 -
let the work out as it was. Mr.. Kim
balls statement relative to the UNI
certainty of such work and the addi-
ton of from 10 to % per cent over
the cost in making bids on such
work, gave this argument a sad jolt.
lieved to find out at last just what it
was Alderman Ellinwood was aiming
to do.
To Repair Bridge.
. The council decided to take steps
at once with a view TO repairing the
-abuttment of the south span of the
bridge over the north branch of Rock
river, known as bridge No. 8. The
pier is of masonry. and is in bad
shape. The council authorized the
mayor and the bridge committee to
secure bids on the rebuilding of the
pier in reinforced concrete. The work
requires a wall of concrete 112 feet
long, and the cost is estimated at be-
tween $500 and $1,000. The council
hopes to get the work under way this
fall.
In this connection the speed with
which the street cars are run over
bridge No. 4, the narrow structure
further south. was discussed, and the
company will be requested to see
that ne. cars are run slower This
bridge is very narrow structure. and
it is only a matter of time before ii
will be necessary 10 replace it with
a naw and wider bridge A new
bridge will cost about $4,000. and
this expenditure is being deferred UNI
til it becomes an absolute necessity
Decide to Buy Pump.
The committee decided to purchase
the new 100000 gallon pump for the
reservoir station, and the motor TO
operate the pump, from Allis-Chai
mers & Co. The other bidder was
the H. w. Worthington company. The
Allis-C Chalmers bid was $1,000. and the
Worthington company set the price at
S1,705. Superintendent Cavanaugh
stated that not only in the price. but
in the matter of conformity to speci-
fications and in the terms OF the con-
tract, the Allis Chalmers proposition
was the more satisfactory. The mayor
and clerk were authorized to enter
into contract with the company for
the pump and motor.
i No Help for Widows.
The council decided not to take any
action for the relief of the nine widows
along Twenty-fifth street, in whose be-
half Alderman McNealy proposed a
resolution that the cost of two alley
intersections on the Improvement be,
tween Fifth and Seventh avenues be
rebated. The proposed rebate would
amount 10 nearly 5000. and would
cause endless difficulty in the court
proceedings. 1t was pointed out fur
Their that ON other improvements the
property had been assessed for the
alley intersections, and that in spe-
cial assessment cases Moline does not
pay any of the cost out of the general
funds, but collects the entire amount
from the property assessment.
Fence OF Building.
The aldermen ordered the chief of
police to proceed to fence off the w
o. Negus building on Market square
The building, formerly occupied by
the notorious Hub saloon. was con-
demned nearly two months ago by
the council as an unsafe structure
The city attorney notified the owner
that unless immediate action was
taken the city would proceed to, raze
the building, and fence it off from the
public. No action has been taken,
and the aldermen determined to pro-
ceed
The building committee was authoc-
| lied to have the plans for the city hall
altered to include the placing of a
steel ceiling in the armory room. The
committee reported that this action
would in the end prove wise economy
although il will add to the cost some