Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-12-10

Y
at the meeting when it is called. Not
so long ago the club had a factory
fund proposition up, which since has
been allowed to quietly sleep for waut
of what-for want of united, harmoni-
GUS action which will bring it across to
a successful conclusion. We can do
things here in Davenport If we will
''get together and do them" Nothing
is impossible. We have the men, we
have the money, we have all the ad-
vantages."
In its editorial comments anent Mr..
Adler's communication, the Davenport
Times says: "It is the recognition Of
that fact by the leading men of Des
Moines that has given that city the
reputation for doing things. 1t is the
hard work for the upbuilding of the
city that these men do, that produces
the results Of which that city boasts.
Not only do they know how to do the
big things, but by their example they
also arouse an enthusiasm on the part
of other business men throughout the
whole city. They inspire confidence,
too, so that money is readily subscrib-
ed for booster purposes.
"TheSe men do not consider 1t in
any way beneath their dignity to get
out and solicit funds, or show strang-
ers about the city, or to entertain them
at the hotels or clubs, nor are they too
busy to attend the booster meetings
which are held at the noon hour and
sometimes daily for several days in
succession. These men who have large
investments in Des Moines are not
pure altruists; they fully comprehend
that every thousand OF population add
ed to Des Moines makes their prop
erty more valuable while at the same
time adding to the volume of local
trade. They know that a city is large
ly judged away from home by its own
opinion Of itself and what it is doing.
They know that men never hunt fac
tory locations in a slow or dead town,
and so they do all they can to make
everyone feel that Dies Moines is a
progressive. up-to-the-minute city
what the Des Moines leading bust
ness men and men OF wealth can do.
the leading business men and men of
NNctAtL VI GtAn W. hS Adl-
ural advantages OF Davenport are far
greater than those of Des Moines.
Davenport can do things, too, if the
leading Davenport business men will
get busy in the work of upbuilding
this city"
While what is said by the Times
to be true of Davonport's spirit, or
lack of spirit, it is hardly applicable to
Rock Island, although the Des Moines
plan sets an admirable example to
any city in many respects. This city
does not lack enthusiasm, or the will
or the heart to do. This was shown
short time, a fund of $4,000 was
raised by popular subscription to
promote the Industrial growth of
Rock Island. All classes CT people
in Rock Island are awake to the
city's interests and advancement and
have never failed when appealed to
to put a shoulder to the wheel. On
ly recently when President Rosen-
field of the Rock Island club. called
a meeting to hear about a new fac
tory project. there responded a large
gathering of the representative men
of Rock Island, eager to learn of
the proposition, and equally eager to
take hold of the enterprise and push
it through to success. AS far as the
requirements imposed upon Rock Is
land were concerned, they were prac-
tically assumed on the spot, and if
the undertaking should now fail of
realization, it will not be the fault
Of tho nf Pool TcIo hut hn
cause of the fact that an opportunity
is held out to the concern that was
willing, and may be still willing to
come to Rock Island, to locate near
er the parent corporation. So that
Rock Island may always be counted
upon to come up to the mark in any en-
terprise of a worthy and desirable
nature.
There is one point, however, in
which Rock Island may possibly be
and that is the folIow-un
system, the .sleepless and unending
pursuit of detail which is essential
to the entire success of every endeav-
or. 1t has seemed at times as if
the belt line was sagging. and yet it is
an enterprise that is sure to win, If
IL 10 hSpI uOfluS. True, Jn0 pTeDu1-
lnaries have taken time unavoidably.
but they have now been disposed of.
The hour is at hand to push as we'll
as to boost, but there must be some
body whose duty 1t shall be to take up
he slack constantly. Two evenings ago
4 committee was in Rock Island to
ook over the situation here, rela-
i've to the bringing in of an inter
Urban road from the south end of |
he county. President Rosenfleld of |
he Rock Island club. met the COM
nitee and discharged his duty as |
ar as he was capable. There his
obligation ended for the time being, |
out a representative of the Industrial |
commission should not have permit
ed that committee to be neglected |
While it was in Rock Island. It's
members should have been taken in
,harge and given q pleasant even