Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-11-22
STEAMER TO AID
IN FIRE FIGHTING
Uncle Sam Asked to Establish
Company at Point of Rock
Island Arsenal.
HELD PUBLIC NECESSITY
Would Cooperate With Departments
in ri-Cities-SecOnd Street
Dispute Still Open.

Uncle Sam is to be asked to main
tain company at the lower point of
Rock Island arsenal, with an auxiliary
steamer, TO cooperate with the depart
ments of the tri-cities in fighting fires.
This is the import of a recommends
ton from George w. Newberry, chief
of the Rock Island department, read
before the city council at its meeting
last night. Chief Newberry has con-
ferred with the department heads of
Davenport and Moline. and they are
agreed that the government company
is a public necessity. In the past the
departments of the tri-cities have aid
ed the government when there were
fires on the arsenal island. On the
strength of Chief NewberTy's recon-
mendatiOn the fire and light commit
tee with Aldermen McNealy and
Stephens, were delegated TO meet with
Commandant F. E. Hobbs at Rock Is
land arsenal and ascertain his views
on the matter and. if possible, his CO
operation in securing the establish
ment of the government department.
Second street Once More.
The council tomorrow afternoon will
convene as a committee of the whole
and visit Second street between
Twelfth and Thirteenth avenues in an
other effort to stTaighten out the mis-
take that has resulted in a trouble
some jog in the street at that point
The plat calls for 50-foot street. City
Engineer Wallace Treichler has found
that the street is but 81 feet at the
south line of Twelfth avenue and 33
feet at the north line of Thirteenth
avenue. !. L. Haas, representing prop
ertv owners who. according to the city
engineers surveys, are encroachlng
upon the street line. was before the
council. Mr. Haas stated that he had
had the property surveyed by a Dav-
export engineer, who had Informed
him that the entire block between
First and Second streets was out of
alignment Mr.. Haas idea was that
it would be only fair, if the council in
sisted on a 5O-foot street on Second,
to go to the root Of the question, and
not force a few hOmeowners to bear
the entire responsibility. The block
was platted over a quarter century
ago. Those who bought the lots
claim that they built their houses and
fences in accordance with lines fur
1ished them by John Stapp, from
whom they purchased the property.
Members Of the council were of the
opinion that Mr.. Stapp should be held
or the error and be obliged to pay
any damages that would result from
the widening of the street. Mr.. Haas
and City Attorney J. +. Witter were or
the belief that the statute Of limlta-
tons would protect Mr.. Stapp. Mr..
Haas said that if the block were
Strengthened in conformity with the
lines as given by the city engineer 1t
would be necessary to move IS houses
and as many or more Outbuildings.
To Open Fourteenth Avenue.
Alderman John Holzhammer pre-
sented a report recommending that
Fourteenth avenue from Eleventh to
Twelfth streets be opened. The city
attorney was instructed to ascertain
if the property owners interested
would join in an agreement to have
the avenue opened, and if not, to re-
port to the council as to the expense
of condemnation proceedings.
Only one bid was received for fur
nishing a carload of paving brick to
the city for the making of repairs. 1t
was from the Interstate Material com
pany, Davenport. Brick was offered
at s16.67 per zoe. \ committee was
present from the TrfCity Federation
of Labor to protest against the city
using bricI, manufactured by the Pur-
ington company. Galesburg. 1t was
claimed that the Purington company
was unfair to union labor. The Inter /
state company sells Purington as well
as brick from other factories. The In (
terstate company's bid was referred /
to the street and alley committee with /
power to act, the council instructinS.
however. that the committee see to il /.
that only brick made by union labor /
be purchased.
Eight proposals for the furnishing OF /
900 feet of hose to the fire depart /
ment were received. These we're re
ferred to the fire and light and finance
committees to report back to The cogn-
ell
To Limit Number of saloons.
Alderman Charles Thompson intro
duced an amendment to the saloon or
dinance providing that, beginning next
year, the number of saloons be limited