Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-10-28

Three propositions are TO be voted
on Tuesday by the people of Rock Is
land under the first application Of the
principles Of initiative and referendum
provided for II the commission form
of municipal government The first,
and the one which is in reality respon-
sible for the election, COntemplates The
sale Of the Union Electric Telephone
& Telegraph franchise and properties
10 the Central Union company. The
second calls for the grant TO the Tri-
City Automatic Home Telephone com
pany OF the right to operate in the
city of Rock Island for a period of 50
years. while the third is an ordinance
increasing the saloon license in the
city Of Rock Island from 5000 20 $1,000
they are
The Argus has heretofore recited in
detail the provisions of each of the
proposed measures. and it is for the
voters now 10 view and consider each
nom the standpoint of conditions as
they exist.
The telephone question Is one that
has been fraught with many yexatious
difficulties in Rock Island for many
years. Essentially a monopoly not in
the sense of sitting competition, but
as a source Of public convenience. pub
lie utility, and. as a matter of fact of
public economy. the telephone has been
for a long time n subject of agitation
in all three cities When the indie
pendent movement was started here.
resulting eventually in the formation
of the company which is now on its
last legs. the thought that prompted
the move was not so much
continued competition as the
driving out Of the Bell system
which. by reason of its methods. had
become exceedingly unpopular II is
the truth 10 say that those who gave
such announcement 70 the new enter
prise as TO make way for its establish
mout, anticipated the development of
system that would supersede the in
s;itutou thar had enjoyed the excIu-
sive field here for so many years. and
that while for time the Inconvenience
OF q dual service was sure 10 exist in
time it vas supposed he Bell would
he starved out That an these calcula-
lions have failed no better proof could
be- furnished than the present financial
condition OF Ia, Union Electric com
uauy. which ROW comes 20 the people
asking fha. .t hy permitted TO dispose
of IFS remaining belongings and 80 y
peace and cood will toward the com
lua.yy IT, has little left but The wreck .
a. q tc-uyr modern plant With bGt q
.-v ~,ralS. ms subscribers. e. has Eor
ae vEeraw..IaI ra proceed further.
..a she eastern capitalists who have
dus until there Is mo- more 10 dig. come .
before The people asking their consent .
Go allow shnu TO sell and save them /
selves what little remains before they
1re entirely broke" Having PASSED
tl-guEh bankruptcy there remains but .
auc opportunity TO -gCoup any portion
y the vast fortune that has been eN-
pended .u attempting .o comply with F.
q ordinances ll -he three cities. and .
hat is in 2 sale TO the Central Union. .
which COMPANY. likewise weary CT .
strife and litigation. pledges itself 20 /.
give 20 ,he people every advantage OF +
an up-to-date system, as provided for 4
under lis latest ordinance in the city 4
CT Rock Island i is rot the fault Of
the Union Electric that f. is in is
present unhappy state T. there he faux .
- find. il is with the people them /
selves. who have not given it the sus- F.
nance Of life
The Union Electric. for its ovr part (
& nay he said in the spirit Of justice. /
ha= made the conditions of its sale such /.