Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-01-25
ASSURED Benefit
South Rock Island Citizens are
Given Encouragement by
the City Council
IN ANNEXATION MOVEMENT
Promise of Water Mains for Fire Pro-
lection is Only Thing Unsettled
The Map Controversy.

The South Rock Island annexation
matter was up before the city council
last evening, and every side of the
question was pretty thoroughly dis
cussed. A committee from the prop
erty owners in the territory which it
is proposed to annex was present, and
put up to the council the plain ques-
ton, what will the city of Rock Isl
and do for us N the way of schools,
street lights, police protection, street
and sidewalk grades, and water mains
for fire protection?"
The committee was given satisfac
tory assurances in regard to all mat
tiers except that pertaining to water
mains for fire protection, and there is
reason to think that there will be no
difficulty about this. The people OF
the city may be surprised, however, to
know that the aldermen did not~imme
,diately do everything within reason TO
promote the movement to add this ter
ritory to the city.
BY Feb 3 the council must have pre-
scented to it, and act on. a petition for
annexation if the matter is to be sub
mitted to the people of the city at
the spring election. Monday evening
the council meets in committee of the
whole to discuss the matter further,
relative to the fire protection, and the
city engineer will have blue prints
showing the proposed territory and q
plan of water mains which will pro
vide the needed fire protection.
The aldermen all deny emphatically
that they are opposed to annexation.
but their failure to assure this terri
tory the improvements possesses the
element of danger in blocking the
movement. AS a matter of fact the
things askedofor are reasonable, and
are only such things as the people OF
the territory. if they become voters
in the city, will have a right to de
mand, and will readily obtain. whether
they are assured now or not.
4 Half Mile strip.
1t is proposed now TO annex STRIP
extending from the western limits OF
the city to ThirtiCth street, a hall
mile wide. This would add an area
between third and Il half as large as
the present area of the city, and wOuld
add about 1000 population to the city
This is the only direction in which the
city can grow, and failure to encourage
the movement should be held against
those in charge of the city admnistra
tiop as a serious failure of duty.
The things on which the people O.
South Rock Island are basing their de
Cision in the annexation matter are:
Better school facilities.
Permanent grades for streets, alley
and sidewalks.
City delivery of mail.
Reasonable lighting of streets.
Reasonable police protection.
Water mains sufficient to give rea
sonable fire protection.
Practically All Assured.
Practically everything in this list i
assured. The school district of tn
city automatically anneXes the teri
tory which is annexed to the city, b
reason of the provisions of the specia
school charter under which the schoC
affairs of the city are conducted.
The board Of education, as was sta
cd last evening, has free hand in tn
matter of providing school building
and equipment, aud is not bound b
the restrictions which prevail undo
the general school law. This make
it certain that, in view of the li5er;
and progressive course Of the board {
education which has been maintaine
for years. that South Rock Island pc
pie will be given every considerable
by that body should the territory CON
under The jurisdiction of the board.
The city delivery of mail is assure
absolutely. The Rock Island post c
flee is growing rapidly in the vOlun