Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-02-16
GOOD RESULTS
FROM A FEAST
Members of Industrial Commits
sion and Belt Line Promoters
Entertain at Club.
TALK OVER FIRST AVENUE
Council, the Messrs. Walsh and 9th
ers Are Participants in Happy
Occasion.

Members of the Rock Island Indus
trial commission and the incorpora-
tors and trustees of the City Belt Line
of Rock Island dined the members of
the city council and the Messrs. Walsh
of the Rock Island Southern at the
Rock Island Club last evening pre-
ceding the meeting of the city council
which it was anticipated would devote
itself to a discussi of the conflicting
First avenue franchises sought by the
Belt line and by the Southern. T. J.
Medill, as president of the Industrial
commission. presided and at the con-
clusion of the repast called upon
number of those present for remarks,
apropOs of the situation on First ave
nue., the gratifying result Of the affair
being the opening of the way for what
promises. at least. a solution of the
entire situation as it pertains. not only
to the Belt line and a satisfactory
franchise for the Rock Island South
ern, but at the same time the removal
of the obstacles to the Rock Island
Pillow company acquiring the rights it
seeks. So well pleased were the
Messrs. Walsh in fact that they stated
they would drop their ordinance be-
fore the council for the present.
Prospectus Clears the Way.
Prior TO the assembling in the dining
room. Secretary Mayer Levi of the In
dustrial commission had distributed
copies of the prospectus of the Belt line
project. and in the after-dinner talks
there were indications OF a better un-
u i. hole
line and of just what is sought by the
Southern. Hugh Curtis spoke of the
purely public spirited nature OF the
belt line project. emphasizing as it
does civic pride. in opening a way for
all railroads of whatever description
to enter the city from the south. with
out prejudice 10 any. There Is no de
sire. Mr. Curtis said. to keep the Walsh
railroad project out of Rock Island,
but rather is the purpose and aim O
encourage it and TO find a way that it
may reach the portions of the city II
desires 10 reach. We want the ROc,5
Island Southern. but we want the belt
line for the benefit and advantage Of
all roads. Leopold Simon spoke also
of the advantages of the belt line and
Of the opportunities that Rock Island
would gain through bringing in the
Southern on a mutually satisfactory
arrangement Mr. Simon urged in the
same connection such a disposition Of
the entire proposition as would lead
to a speedy adjustment of the pillow
company proposition. Phil Mitchell
dwelt upon the Importance Of the belt
line project. stating that the way
is open for the Rock Island Southern
to be the first road to avail itself Of
the privileges it offers 10 incoming
roads if it so desires.
Washes Are Heard.
f. c. Walsh and Mark \. Walsh
spoke in behalf of the Rock Island
Southern They expressed their graft
fication at learning for the first time
that the belt line was not a private
enterprise. but a public undertaking.
That. E. c. Walsh stated, put an en-
tirely new phase OF the situation so
far as their interests We're concerned.
They were not DESTROYS of damaging
any Rock Island industry. or inter
fering with any Rock Island project.
and the opportunity now seemed 20
present itself for a satisfactory solu-
ton of the entire proposition. Rock
Island is now experiencing its second
growth and great things are in store