Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-10-01
CRUSADE IS NOT
ASPASMODIC ONE
Neither Is the Law and Order
League Composed of Ex-
tremists.
COMMON DECENcY SOUGHT
Organization Plans Work in Adj
vance, Has Abundant Funds,
and Is Here to Stay.


upon the elements of Iawlessness in
this community that this crusade is
not spasmodic,' said a leading mem
Der of the Law and Order league to
an Argus representative, in discussing
the existing state of affairs In Rock Is
land. What we have done here was
carefully planned and executed We
knew our ground thoroughly. We took
pains to gather the information upon
which We acted. 1t required two
months to gather it, and So closely
guarded were our proceedings that
outside OF a committee of a few no
one knew what was going on. AS a
matter Of fact, doubt If the rank and
file Of the Law and Order league real
lied themselves what was In the air.
Indeed, I venture the assertion that
most OF them thought, as did the peo-
pie generally, that the Law and Order
league had flashed in the pan.
But not 50. 1t started out for a
purpose. Aggravated conditions gave
rise to that purpose. We moved care
fully, in order to satisfy ourselves Of
the actual state Of affairs
Half Not Been Told.
THE further We went the more
shocked We became, and the more de-
termined we became. We found out
everything. We learned Just what pub
lie officials were winkfng at open VIC,
lation of the law. We were amazed.
We accumulated the entire chain Of
evidence. and the half has not been
told publicly, nor will it be until the
proper time comes. We found who we
could trust and VIII we could not trust.
We convinced ourselves from what we
gathered and from what we have
record of, how much assistance we
could gain by appealing to local au-
thorities. We found a honeycomb of
that seemed almost impen-
etrable. That was the reason we were
obliged, as has been clearly stated In
the press, TO go outside of Rock Is
land for constabulary assistance In
serving the first warrants. But we
have made a start, we have taken
upon ourselves a task, and it is going
forth tirelessiy and permanently. We
are not afraid of the consequences of
abuse and SANDER. We considered
that all in advance.
Ample Funds for Work.
I'VE considered thoroughly also. it
may be interesting to state, the item
OF expense, end that was all taken
care of in advance and, speaking of
expense, we took into consideration
not only the initial movement, but the
matter of q permanent institution and
permanent work. before we made a !
single move. No one realizes more |
than l what a fizzle It would be to
make a fash and have 1T stop there. |
We figured that all out. We had |
plenty OF money before we started; !
we've got plenty now, and more is
coming in. Our sources OF revenue
are ample. Since this crusade was
started and the open defiance was
manifested on the streets and in the !
Justice shops of this city by the gam
olers, their representatives and by |
public officials, funds have been COM
ng in that we did not anticipate. Vol
Intary contributions have been made.
One man, for instance, gave his check
'or $500. another 800. another for $50
and told US to call upon him for more
when 1t was needed.
Just Common Decency Demanded.
so. you see, We are not going to
stop. We are organized and getting
stronger every day. So that If the
gamblers are figuring on waiting until
he wind changes to come back. they
night as well fold their sails and set
hem in other directions. They are
lone for here.
Now, another thing, and that is
hat this organization was not formed
or radical purposes. 1t is not here
Is the instrument OF extremists, who
lave narrow ideas and want them car
led out or nothing. We want COM
non decency consistent with grow
ny city. Notorious conditions, I'M
checked and becoming worse daily,
md the failure OF public officials to do
heir duty, prompted the formation of
he Law and Order league. But for
hose conditions it would not have
,een formed. We have a definite
work to do and this we propose to do.
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