Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-02-14
steam trains to the Twentieth street
Pillow Company First; Belt Next.

steam trains to the Twentieth street
depot.
PIow Company First; Belt Next.
The situation, as far as The Argus
is able to see it, resolves itself into
this proposition: The Rock Island
Pillow company has told the city council
the concessions 1t must have in order
TO continue it's business here. No
member of the council should hesitate
to vote for the ordinance for the vaca-
ton Of the streets. No member of
the council should permit himself 10
be confused by the entrance at this
time of the Southern interests.
But before the Southern fran
chise should come the belt line.
The Rock Island Industrial commits
sion should have a full representation
at the meeting of the city council this
evening to properly post the aldermen.
The latter should defer any action that
might imperil the rights of the belt
line. The belt line is a peoples pro-
ject. 1t is now under way. 1t is TO
solve the west end factory district
railroad problems. 1t will take care
Of all the interurbans and steam lines
tnat may wish 10 come into the city
from the west and south in the future
The belt is to be open to- use for any
and all railroads. The Rock Island
Southern should be given every rea-
sonable privilege to get into the city,
but no one road should be allowed
further exclusive right IN First avenue
regardless Of what 1t may do in the
matter of permitting other lines TO
use its tracks. In other words, let
the belt line and the Rock Island
Southern come in together with the
belt line in control of the franchise.
The interurban, it IS needless to say,
should be encouraged, and until other
arrangements are made the passenger
coaches regardless of their size could
reach the business section over the
lines of the Tri-City Railway company
by means of few blocks OF track. The
Walsh brothers stated Saturday that
they desired a franchise east on First
avenue to Twenty-fourth, and If given
this they would bring in several new
roads. The belt line would afford all
these opportunities, and its promoters,
1t is hoped, will be ready to show the
council tonight that they mean bust
ness.
This afternoon it was reported that
the Washes were to present an ordi-
nance for an entire new route for
passenger cars exclusively from Milan
into the city and that this would not
be down First avenue.
Tri-CIty Railway Extensions.
Tomorrow evening the council
meets in committee of the whole 10
consider the proposed extension If
Tri-City Railway lines, and the indi-
cations are that all will be granted
when formally presented with the eX-
ception of the link on Twenty-fOurth
between Fifth and Third for the ask
ing of which no valid reason has been
presented. and which in time ii Is be-
Ifeved would afford but short cut for
east end traffic to Davenport The
Moline city council has declined 10
permit the Tri-City company 10 bring
the WATERFOWL and Silvis interurban
cars into Rock Island, and there is 40
reason why Rock Island should per
nit the switching of cars from the
Third or Fourth avenue lines direct 10
Davenport without coming into Rock
Island as is now the case.
The pending ordinance of the Cen
trail Union Telephone company IS also
slated for another hearing before the
council.
So that altogether it promises 20
be a busy week in the council cham
Der.