Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-01-05
PUT QUESTION
up TO PEOPLE
Is Plan Proposed in Council Relative
to the Mechanical Filter Plant
for Waterworks.
ALDERMEN ARE UNDECIDED
Are Not Certain Whether Voters De-
sire to Have Election-Deed to
New Park Site is Accepted.

Do the people of the city desire to
vote on the question of installing a
new mechanical filter plant at the
waterworks pumping station to sup
eplement the present filter system?
This is the question that was sub
mitted to the city council last evening,
and it will be up again for discussion
next Monday. Some of the aldermen
are Of the opinion that the people do
not desire 20 vote on the proposition,
believing that if vote is taken the
result will show no opposition to the
new system. Alderman Smith intro
duced a resolution instructing the city
clerk to submit the proposition on the
ballot of the, spring election. There
was considerable discussion of the
question, but no action was taken, the
aldermen preferring a general discus
sion of the matter before determining
to order the matter submitted at the
election. Some of the aldermen feel
that the filter plant is so essential to
the waterworks system that it should
not be delayed in any way. For this
reason they hold that the matter should
not go to vote unless an opportunity
for an expression is demanded by the
voters.
For System of Mains.
Alderman McNealy offered resolu
ton, which was adopted, instructins
the waterworks committee, mayor, and
city engineer, to report plan for re
laying the water main system in the
business district to provide adequate
fire: protection. Alderman McNeal!
maintains that the mains in the dowI
town district are not sufficient to NEE
emergencies, and he argues that the
duty of the city first is to furnish ;
sufficient system of mains, and late
to look to the purity and cleanliness
of the water supply.
Engage In Dispute.
In connection with the discussion o
maps, a lively dispute arose, in which
City Engineer Treichler and Alderman
Ellinwood were the principals. Alder
man Ellinwood asked to be inform
terworks mains was completed. Nh
Freiohlers said il was not. The alder
man wanted to know how far alenl
the work had progressed. Mr.. Treich
Ter told him to come to his office am
look for himself. He refused to ans
wer the alderman's question, and o
being requested to by the mayor, h
directed few warm remarks in AID
erinan Ellinwood's direction, after r.
plying to Alderman Smith, who inqui
ed when the map would be completed
Mr.. Treichler said: ANY gentlema
in the council may secure any inform;
ton / have to give. But you do ne
seek information as a gentleman. Yo
go to the city attorney to find OF
what am doing. You ask these que
tons for the mere purpose of attemp
ing to censure me. want to tell yo
that 1 will not stand for this frol
YOU" Alderman Ellinwood deman
ed that the mayor call M
Treiehler to order, and insisted tn;
his inquiries had been put in goo
faith.
you should do city work frs
but you were at Gary the other day
he said to Mr.. Treichler.
YES replied the engineer, "and d
you note that that was holiday, too
The mayor urged the two men to avo
personalities, and informed the aide
man that the engineer is working {
the map, and other aldermen STATE
that the work is progressing NIGEL
and when completed will be the be
record in the city. 1t will be done
fore the first of the month.
Bids for Deposits.
Alderman Smith offered resoluti
to instruct the ordinance commit
and city attorney to report an or
nance to provide for depositing t
funds of the city with the highest
sponsible bidder. He explained tn
this plan is adopted by other citi
and results in revenue on the deposi
He protested against the present S.
Asy,s& Raira