Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-02-11
GLAD HAND OR
COLD SHOULDER?
Which Shall It Be that Council
Extends to Plow Company's
Proposition.
BOOSTER SPIRIT is AWAKE
And 1t Is Believed the Most ImpOI9
ant Local Industry Will Get
Grants.

The city council meets in ad-
journed session tonight to coFider
various matters of unusual iDfrest.
The most important OF these u4doubt-
eddy, as far as the requirements for
early action are concerned. is Ehe ordi-
nance sought by the Rock IsItnd Pillow
company for the vacation 4 certain
streets in the west end. aJItting its
property. in order that it my expand
TO meet existing Requirements.
What the pillow cOmpan{ seeks, and
what it proposes to do ID the way Of
reconstruction of its pl2ht. to enable
it to double without dJay its manu-
featuring output and hence to double
the number of men EMPLOYED. has al
ready been outlined II length in The
Argus. The council Cannot too seri-
ously consider the Importance of the
privilege the pillow company asks, and
the expediency of action without I'M
necessary delay. Manager J. F. Lard
ner. in speaking this morning of the
rights which the plow company seeks,
said: The entire matter is up to the
council. The problem involved is 70
serious one to US. and one that We
would like to have an answer concern
ing as soon as may be. The Rock
Island Pillow company has determined
to develop into a greater manufactur-
ing industry than it has ever been.
This purpose cannot be attained with
out more room. We are already
cramped where we are. We must
have new and larger and more modern
buildings, and that without delay We
have put up TO the council a PROPOSE
ton which will not only enable this
industry to remain in Rock Island. but
to grow to the proportions that il
should be. We have frankly stated
what is necessary. We have asked
no rights in the way of vacation of
streets that will work injury TO any
one, as We control the property on ev-
cry side facing the streets we desire
closed We have secured options where
necessary contingent upon the coun-
ellis attitude toward US. The question
of railroad rights in no way enters
into the ordinance which we are seek
ing. When the time comes for OUT
side enterprises such as will insure
better railroad facilities and shipping
advantages. we viii be found in just
the same favorable attitude as Other
factories.
Rights Are Essential.
The rights which We now ask are
essential to the improvements and ex-
pansion which we have decided To
make and the improvements and eX-
paEsion which we have decided 10
make are essential to our continuing.
1t is up to the council to decide
whether we shall continue. That is
mildly all there is to it
What the pillow company requires
calls for the booster spirit if ever
there was an occasion for it in Rock
Island. 1t is believed that spirit Will
be reflected by the councils attitude.
Rock Island at one time distin-
guished itself and demonstrated its
booster spirit by raising $4,000 by
popular subscription TO encourage .
development Small en-
enlargement would it be for the bring
ing in of new factories if we let go
one of the Oldest and most impor- .
tant in the city. In Moline
the fair and just attitude that the
council has at all times exhibited TO
ward local industries has made the
city what it is as an industrial center,
Right at this moment the council IN .
that city stands ready to give to the .
Moline Plow company railroad switch .
track in Third avenue. alongside the I
double tracks Of the street railway
and almost directly in front .
of the postoffice if it will locate the
Monitor Drill company in that city in
stead of Rock Island, where it orig
inally contemplated placing it. And
the proposition may win.
Glad HIND or Cold Shoulder.
In the meantime what is the Rock