Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-02-22

contrary move at this time would have
but one result; these improvements
would be held up and abandoned pos
sibly. Mr.. Simon did not believe fol
a moment that the council would take
seriously the Third avenue demands.
F. T. Myers was not against the
growth of the city and all of its ave
nues, but he did not believe the city
would be benefited by sacrificing Sec.
ond avenue
For All Avenues.
Eli Mosenfelder was for all avenues.
He would like to see all of them grow
and prosper, but he could not see the
justice of removing tracks now on
Second avenue in an effort to build
up Third. In other words, it was his
judgment that it would be poor policy
for the city to try to develop any thor
oughfare at the expense of another.
B. D. Connolly said changing the
lines from Second to Third would be
a step to the rear. He was against
it, So was NJ NJ. Sturgeon. The lat
ter said there were legal considera-
tons involved, and he doubted the
power of the council. even though it
were so disposed, to alter the operat-
ing arrangement of lines now using
Second avenue. S. R Kenworthy
agreed with Mr. Connolly and Mr..
Sturgeon. Louis MosenfeIder agreed
with DIR. De Silva on the sensitive
ness of capital. H. e Krell called at
tention to the protests that came from
Third avenue on the proposed repaving
improvement in the business district
as not indicating a spirit there that
entitled the owners of the frontage on
that avenue to any serious considera-
ton of the movement they are now
fostering Phil Mitchell said It would
be a fatal error to change the operat-
ing program of the street car lines III
the business district.
H. E. Curtis said: 81 own prop
erty on both avenues, and l get you
going and coming" he said. 1T looks
like a family quarrel to me. 1 dislike
trouble such as is brewing i'll this mat
ter. I want to see the question settled
in some satisfactory way. Only don't
fight over it."
Violating Franchise Now
T. J. Medill, DR.. w. H. Ludewig and
John Koch. Jr., spoke for Third ave
nue. Mr.. Medill called the councils
attention to the fact that today the
Tri-City Railway company is violating
its franchise in operating its Bridge
line cars through Second avenue to
the practical exclusion of Third. and
that under the old Union franchise
hn mr. those Of
the Elm street line should operate
through Third avenue The council
should not forget that investments
have been made in Third avenue prop
erty as we'll as on Second. He referred
particularly to the Safety building,
holding that it houses more business
people than any other three office
buildings in the city today. Mr.. Medill
said he was interested on both ave
nues. but he was against the one-street
city. Davenport got away from that
idea years ago. and he pointed to the
rapid growth of its business section.
The population of Rock Island had
doubled in % years, yet its business
district, in dfmCnsions, practically had
remained at a standstill. He did not
favor injuring Second avenue. It
would always be the main business
Neither did he favor
removing any of the present lines from
that avenue. But he did want to see
Third avenue taken care of. He ia
vored a looping plan, as was followed
in other cities. The city must spread
chance to grow.
Contrary TO LAW or Progress.
DR.. Ludewig did not believe there
was ever any intention of removing
any of the tracks now on Second ave
nue.. He said it was contrary 10 the
law of progress to attempt to confina
the business of a city to a few blocks.
The city was expanding at the south
and the west and there should be cor
growth in the business cen
ter He favored the looping of both
Second and Third avenues. John
Koch. Jr., answering Mr.. Krell on the
protests from Third avenue on the re-
paving proposal, said that the owners
on Third avenue were not to be blamed
for their position and that they should
not be expected to spend their money
on improvements when they are denied
a share of the railway facilities now
in the business center.
When the business men had been
heard Mayor MCCasFrin read a mes
sage in which he thanked the speak
ers for their advice and counsel,
and gave assurance that the council
would not act hastily, and would weigh
the situation from all sides, always
with the thought of the city's welfare
,,DporDooet Tho whole question wa