Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-03-13
Matters of Importance Before the
Council.


There are numerous matters of ex-
ceptional Importance to come before
the council tonight, prominent among
which are the proposition of Captain
John Streckfus for a lease Of a portion
of the river front between Seventeenth
and Eighteenth streets for steamboat
warehouse purposes, the application for
another telephone franchise, and tho
long pending Long View loop Of the
Tri-City Railway company.
AS to Captain Sreckfus' proposition.
the subject is one that should have ser
ious consideration, and that without
prejudice TO Captain Streckfus. On the
contrary, anything that Captain Streck-
fus wants should be treated in the
spirit of friendliness due a Rock Island
man who is endeavoring TO reestablisn
upper Mississippi traffic. At the time
the river front was permanently I'M
proved by the city. The Argus took tn.
position that it should not under anv
circumstances be encountered with
warehouses owned exclusively by any
steamboat lines. The Diamond 10
line took issue with this position. and
when, after a long period of negotia-
tons. in which. if The Argus memory
serves It correctly, Captain Streckfus,
who was then conducting a small pack
e. line. sustained the contentious of
The Argus. which eventually the coun.
Gil upheld. the Diamond 10 people be
came veXed and for few seasons boy
COtted Rock Island. Their boats do
rot call here. Later, however, they re.
sumed friendly relations with Rock Is
land and their boats resumed stops at
Rock Island. The ArgUs~has always
maintained that what space of the river
front remains between Seventeenth
and Nineteenth streets should be re-
served for the use of all steam boats
the only apparent solution being d
warehouse built and owned by the city
or floating docks for the different
steamb boat or packet lines such as the
Rock Island & Davenport Ferry com
pany uses on both sides of the river.
When later the council permitted
one of the packet companies to lease
part of the levee for a warehouse west
Of Nineteenth street. the custom was
broken, and under these circums tances
1t is not unnatural that Captain Streck-
fus should come now asking for similar
rights on the most valuable part of
the river front So that while the city
cannot afford to be inconsistent in
view of the concessions il has already
allowed, The Argus remains consistent
with its original attitude.
Hence the city. having established
the precedent of allowing privileges,
and opening the way 10 others, gives
to Captain Streckfus warehouse rights
between Seventeenth and Eighteenth
streets, il ought 70 be careful as to the
extent and exclusiveness of the same
As TO the proposed telephone fran
chise, which means three telephone
companies in Rock Island, the simplest
way 10 dispose Of il would seem TO be
to put the matter up to the people I'M
der the commission form of municipal
government soon 10 take effect in Rock
Island. The promoters of the new
scheme have expressed their entire
willingness to have the people pass
upon the matter, and that would seem
TO be the fairest and best way 10 dis
pose of it
The Long View loop is one the coun-
ell should dispose of once and for all.
The council succeeded in getting a
pretty good franchise from the Tri-City
Railway company last year, one of the /
most important provisions of which 1
was the completion of the Long View /
loop which, for one reason or
another, has been hanging fire since |
the line was built The city should /
permit no hitch or Technically to
longer delay the completion OF this /
line. II is q joke as it is. with cars
running st irregular intervals [
az the busiest time, and af /
fording the poorest service OF any line /