Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-12
BUSINESS MEN
IN A BOOST FOR .
A BETTER CITY
Commission Government Is
Hailed as Forerunner of
Greater Achievement.
SUPPORT FOR OFFICIALS
Latter Assured Strength of Commun-
ity Is Behind Them-Oum on
Cooperation.

President NJ. H. Sexton-To this as
ISOLATION belongs the credit Of making
possible the commission form of mum
cipaI government A year ago, lacking
three days, we met in annual banquet
IN this room to further the proposition.
Tonight you have before you the first
mat law We are entering upon a new
era in Rock Islands history.
Mayor Harry M. Schriver-Under the
commission law the head of each de-
partment Is held directly responsible
for the workings of that department,
and he should be blamed or praised &C
'cordingly as he conducts the affairs of
the department assigned to him.
Representative Thomas Campbell -
We, as members Of the legislature from
fti1is district, fought for the commission
form bill, and we think we got good
measure. The emergency recall amend
ment Is now before the senate, and we
think by the time both houses are
Through with it. it will provide for
about IS per cent would suggest
that the commissions of Rock Island
and Moline get together and decide
upon uniform system of saloon regu-
IatIon.
Jonas Bear-We are all working to-
eether for the mutual advantage of the
city. I propose to devote myself con-
,scientiousIy to the department. assign
I'd TO my care. The new filter will be
all right Everything will be all right
In time.
Martin T. RudGren-Heretofore "A
men have been spending what two men
have been collecting. Henceforth five
men will do the spending, and in pro-
portion to the reduction in the expend-
ing power we hope to reduce the
amount of the output The question Of
finance is Of course the grave problem,
but we hope to adjust affairs so as to
establish and maintain a strictly bust
ness administration.
r. r. ReynoIds-We are in the same
relation Of any employer to employee.
We are the employees; you are the en-
ployers. IL is not for US to tell you
how to conduct your affairs. We are
rev at the work, but we propose to do
our best in the management Of your
affairs and to merit your approval. II
we do not, discharge US.
Archie Hart-It has often been said
that labor mas not had its share of rec
ignition in public affairs. I take my
election as great compliment to union
labor. am Iaboring man, but ! am
not a socialist I have served in the
ranks Of labor from the coal mine to
the rear platform OF the street car. If
conscientious devotion to duty will
count, hope TO be able to give a good
account of myself.
Woodwork CIum-What we need in
these three cities is cooperation and
advertising, with the elimination of
petty jeaIousies. We have a common
community. Davenport will join hands
with you in setting forth the advan-
taees of this entire community. Let
US work together for the good of the
whole and confine our rivalry TO those
things which are Internal in nature
We want the set-tosether spirit. Get
a slogan, and that which made Chicago
famous. - Will" is as good as any city
could desire. Make 1t brief, and then
live up to II. Things will not come by
waiting and trusting. Cooperate. Team
work counts. GET behind and push.
Lay out your work, decide what you
want, and 60 after it. And you will
win.
A. M. Bruner-The commission form
of government Of cities embraces the
right idea. Cooperation and federation. /
The application Of business principles,
the Introduction Of progressive, yet
economical, methods will all tend to the
end toward which you are striving. /
believe Rock Island is entering upon a
new era, and I am proud Of this town,
which was once my home. Il
Two hundred business and profes- /
sional men attended the banquet, /.