Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-02-22
FIFTH AVENUE IS
SOUTHERN ROUTE
Washes Abandon Purpose to
Follow Course of the Pub
lie Belt.
ARE GETTING SIGNATURES
Present Ordinance Announcing the
Course They Wish to Follow
Clear Pillow Company Situation.

Fifth avenue, Seventeenth street, and
First avenue are to constitute the route
OF the Rock Island Southern passenger
line into the city. Petitions, the form
OF which was approved by the city
council at its meeting last evening
are now in circulation for the sigma
lures of the owners of the property
frontage on the thoroughfares men
toned, and it is expected that there
will be practically no opposition to
the route from the holders of the af.
fected property.
An ordinance for a right of way
franchise for the company over the
street and avenues selected as the en-
trance route for the electric interurban
passenger cars was presented TO the
council. was read and laid over for future
consideration In a communication ac-
companying the petition form and ord
tnances, the Messrs. Walsh, promoters
of the Southern, stated that they found
that public sentiment was against any
effort they might make to bring their
line up First avenue, because of the
fact that the frontage they would re-
quire is now being sought by the Belt
line, portion of the right Of way hav-
ing already been secured between
Seventeenth and Eleventh streets.
Enter First at Seventeenth.
They had therefore determined on
he Fifth avenue route, beginning at
point where the Rock Island tracks
intersect the avenue at Mill street,
east on the avenue to Seventeenth
street, north on Seventeenth to Sec
3 ond avenue, north on West Seven
teenth street to First avenue. and east
on First avenue to Twentieth street
: to the passenger and freight station of
the Rock Island railway, the joint use
of which the Southern is to enjoy I'M
der long lease corresponding to that
under which the new road is to use the
tracks of the older company from Pre-
emption. The SOuthern's steam trains
will be brought in over the Rock IS
land tracks to the Twentieth street
station. The Southern agrees
10 rebate for the paving on
the streets that it is to traverse
with its electric lines. It's ordinance
provides that ii be permitted to lay
either single or double track
Ready for PIOyv Company.
The Southern's acceptance of the
Fifth avenue route clarifies the rail
road situation affecting the enlarge
ment plans of the Rock Island Pillow
company The latter concern. it will
be recalled. withdrew its request for
the vacation of Second avenue and
Fourth. Fifth and Sixth streets pend
ing settlement of the SOuthern's right
of way. The Rock Island Pillow com
pany objected to having its property
crossed by the Southerns tracks.
which would have been necessary had
that road been granted permission to
follow the route originally sought.
Now that the Southerns entrance
route has been fixed, the coun-
Gil last evening voted to invite repre-
sentatives of the Rock Island Pillow
company to be present at an adjourn
ed meeting of that body tomorrow,
when it is supposed that action will
be taken upon the plow Companys
street vacation ordinance. The COM
pany has matured its factory develop
ment plans TO the point where it is
ready to proceed with its new build
ings, and now only awaits the adop-
ton of its ordinance by the council.
The Washes have been asked to be
present at the meeting tomorrow even
ing also to further discuss their fran
chise ordinance.
Railway Ordinance in Allegiance.
The Tri-City Railway company did
not present its new ordinance carrying
proposed extensions and renewal of it's
local franchise. owing to complications
which have arisen in reference to nu-
merous features that it is desired 10
make a part of the new ordinance.
President J. F. Porter had expected
that the council would be agreed by
yesterday before his departure for
New York to confer with his board of
directors as to appropriations for the
year in the tri-cities. but there will be
delay. and it will likely be a week or
more before the ordinance will be in 7.
shape for final passage. City Attorney
J. F. Witter presented a communica-
ton to the council recommending the .
eXactiOn of a number of demands of .
the company before the adoption of a
new franchise ordinance. Among his .
recommendations are: Six rides for
% cents during the morning and even
ing periods for workfngmen; 5O-Cent .
minimum rate on electric meters; ar
bitration of all labor disputes; mail
carriers in uniform to be allowed to
ride for the appropriation made by the
government; 15-minute schedules on
Third and Fourth avenue lines, to be