Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-12-14


or reclaim for such purposes lands
now under the public water of the
state.
The matter has been brought TO my
attention on account of the present
condition of harbor facilities at Chica-
go. These are so inadequate that It is
giving undue advantage to other lake
cities with the result that the port at
Chicago is falling behind these cities
In its rate of increase in volume of
lake commerce.
This should be remedied more es-
pecially in view of the important reIa-
ton Of the Chicago harbor to the pro-
posed deep waterway and the conse-
quent necessity of providing for its
Improvement upon a scale adequate to
meet the present and future demands
of Chicago as one OF the great ports OF
the world.
For this purpose, the necessary au-
thority should be conferred upon NUM-
cipalities to engage in such work Of
harbor and dock Improvement as may
be suited to their needs. / urge that
the question be disposed of at the pres
ent session.
THE national congress has adopted
a joint resolution for submission to the
general assemblies of the states re-
specting an amendment to the federal
constitution enabling congress to i'm
pose an income tax. II is a disputed
question whether or not such a tax
should be imposed by the nation in or
binary times, but it seems to me that
m chntf1d
one of the attributes of sovereignty. A
nation which possesses the power TO
call upon its citizens for service on
the battlefield. should possess the pow
er to impose an income tax whenever
it may be necessary to meet national
emergencies.
FaVors Commission Rule Act.
"a very strong appeal has been
made to me for the submission to the
general assembly at this session of the
question of the passage of an act au-
thorizing Illinois cities, villages and
towns which maye desire so to do, mis-
sion form of government.
1.-THE purpose of this form of city
government is to substitute for the al
dermanic plan. in which responsibility
for the administration of the munich
pal business Is diffused and TO a de-
gree indeterminate, the commission
plan. in which responsibility is cen
tralized and fixed
Municipal government in America
has often been pointed out as the weak
spot Of our political system and its
defects have been attributed to the
form of our municipal governments. Re
ports seem to indicate that the COM
mission form of government has
worked very successfully in many in
stances and has proven an improve
ment upon the old system. AS the leg.
islation requested is in the nature of
an enabling act, I recommend that
such an act be passed as will confer
upon Illinois cities, towns and villages
the power to adopt this form of gov
eminent should they so desire.
'"The city OF Chicago has under con-
sideration the question of the con-
struction. maintenance and operation I
of subways for the use of street rail /
roads and other public utilities be-
longing to the city or TO public utility |
corporations. and for general traffic.
subway SuGSNlOU Ons
"In this connection the question has
been raised as to the authority OF the /
city to appropriate money for the Sc
curing of expert advice upon the ques- |
ton whether a subway system for
Chicago is desirable and, if so, the |
precise character and locatiG,. uf such /
subways. An early decision of this /
question is of great Importance to the /
city of Chicago, and in view ,of the |
purely local character of the questions
involved, Il have been requested to
submit to the general assembly the 1
question of comforting upon cities the .
powers mentioned by the passage of .
an enabling act and ! urge that such .
an act be passed at the present ses-
sion.
The disastrous fire which occurred /
in the coal mine at Cherry, ILL.,. has F.
aroused the sympathy of American /
Coal mining is one OF our |
great Industries and employs a large /
Of our citizens. IT is an oc-
cupation naturally attended with |
greater dangers than are r-cident TO
occupations and both in our
own state and elsewhere where the |
work of coal mining is engaged in,
constant effort has been made through 4
the enactment of appropriate legisla-
ton to minimize its dangers as much
as possible.
Shortly prior to this unfortunate
accident. the miners and operators Of
Illinois had concurred In recommele-
ing the passage of law creating
mining investigation commission to
revise the laws relating to the coal
mining industry. Such a commission
was authorized at the last session OF
the general assembly and $4,000 were
for the expenses Of the
Ask Aid for Cherry Sufferers.
81 trust that the recommendations
Of the mining investigation commits
sion will load m the amendment and