Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-03-09
Advantages Long Sought.

In common with the public spirited
citizens of Rock Island, in keeping with
the progressive sentiment upon which
Rock Island so largely depends for ad-
vancement, and in complete harmony
with every move that makes or prom
Uses for the permanent commercial de-
velopment of the city, The Argus stands
for the encouragement of interurbans
and kindred enterprises. Realizing that
the lack of these facilities for reaching
the country naturally tributary to Rock
Island on the south, is one OF the
city's most serious drawbacks, it is
needles to state that it's fullest co.
operation will continue to be at, all
times given to every public undertake
ing that may insure to Rock Island
that which is SO much nesded-inter-
urban communication with the terri
tory in this and the adjoining counties
to the south.
An ordinance is now before the coun-
ell which promises the advantages so
long sought. 1t contains but one feat
ure to which objection has been rails
ed, in that it permits the opera
ting company to handle freight cars of
standard railroad size over the right
of way which extends through the
business streets of the city,
and eventually comes down Sew
|enteenth street from Fifth avenue to
First avenue, where it is proposed to
connect with one of the steam railroad
lines having track privileges there.
While it is stipulated that the proposed
interurban shall be operated by means
of electricity, it is desired to so con-
struct it that it may be used as a
through the streets of the city to be
|traversed, and it is to the possibility
|of long freight trains traversing the
streets that objection has been raised.
w. c. Lawson, the promoter of the
proposed line, maintains on the other
hand that the rights solicited in Rock
Island are no different from those
sought and granted in other cities in
Illinois and Indiana which are entered
lby similar roads, but he says
further that his company is
willing to waive the right to use the
istreets stipulated in the ordinance if
another route may be pointed out by
which he may bring in his road
from the south leading to track connec
tions on First avenue. Rightfully, he
maintains that it is to the interest OF
the company as well as to the city to
have the passenger cars traverse the
main streets, and to pass as closely to
the business community as possible
but how is the company to get Its
freight in, he asks. for freight is as
Essential as passenger business.
1t is sincerely to be hoped that eth
Ter by another route or other mean:
the objections to the freight haul ma!
be obviated, and the interests of all 81
safeguarded that all may work togeth
Ter for the attainment of that which
the proposed line promises-anothe
link toward a Greater Rock Island.
| While every wide-awake either
lof Rock Island should give help
ing hand to every proper interurbal
lproject, and boost to the fullest exten
possible in bringing in every deservin
enterprise, it is equally as importan
that all should do their part in openin
the right of way for the bringing in @
the freight as we'll as the passenge
business.
Rock Island needs interurbans. LIE
, Jus find way to bring them in.