Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-01-31
MERCER PLAN UP
TO A CONFERENCE
Rock Island Business Mems As
ISOLATION Appoints Com
mittee to Act.
INITIAL STEP TAKEN HERE
Commercial Bodies of Other Interest
ed Communities VIII Probably
Follow Suit.

Initial steps with a view to crystal
izfng sentiment for the consolidation Of
Rock Island, Moline, East Moline, Wa
tertown and Silvis were taken at the
annual meeting of the Rock Island
Business Mems association held last
evening at Maths hall. A motion to
give encouragement to the movement,
presented by John T Marion, was
adopted by the meeting, which was
largely attended. II was further or
dered that two members of the local
business mems association be named
to act at a conference with committees
from the various commercial bodies of
the cities concerned. r. B. McKown
and M. II. Sexton were selected to rep
resent the Rock Island Business Mems
association. George B. Ross of East
Moline was to have led the discussion
OF the consolidation question, but he
was unexpectedly called from the city
yesterday.
MEMBERS ARE HEARD.
Several members last evening ex-
pressed briefly their opinion on the
union of cities. Dr. E. NJ Sala said
that he thought the time now ripe for
such a movement and that he himself
was heartily in favor of it at would
give US the second or third city in the
state then, and as such it would make
itself known and would secure benefits
which come only to the larger centers.'
DR. Sala said. It would be advertised
widely, If such a consolidation were
brought about and this would help the
cities, OF the new city We would all
continue TO live in the same place and
would also receive all benefits which
would be derived from uniting all of
the cities between the Mississippi and
Rock rivers. from Rock Island to the
other end of the county. It would re-
quire some legislation before it would
be possible to bring about a consum-
nation of this movement II has been
done in other places. New York City,
when it expanded to a Greater New
York. did this. and other cities have
done it
Other speakers were NJ. II. Sexton,
Mayer Levi. DIT. ]. F. Myers. J. p.
Dolly, J. F. Murphy, and J. 7. Mar
ron All said that they had given lit
tie thought to the matter as yet, but
were favorable for investigating it and
acting upon it, II II were found TO be
beneficial to all concerned.
MIR SEXTON NEW PRESIDENT.
In the selection of officers, which was
held previous to the informal discus
sion of the consolidation proposition,
VI. II. Sexton was chosen president of
the association to succeed +. b. Nc
Kown. Mr.. Sexton after his election
said that he would do his best to place
the association in the foremost ranks
among the local organizations. Other
officers were elected as follows:
Vice President-C. W. Horton.
Recording Secretary-Ralph w. La
mont.
Treasurer-E. B. Kreis.
Directors - Henry Schocker, w. S.
McCombs, J. T. Marion.
The board of directors includes the
three men elected last night and the
hold-oyers. George H. Kingsbury and
Edward Bakersfield.
Reports of the retiring officers were
received.
SUNDAY CLOSING FAVORED.
A committee from the postal clerks
and carriers, Edward y. Lundberg, VII
liam F. McLain and ]. p. McCarty. was
present at the meeting and explained
to the association the agitation which
has been started for the closing on
Sunday OF a part OF the postoffice so
that the carriers and clerks may have
a day OF rest in seven. The general
delivery window will be open at the
usual hours, but the stamp windows
and others which now necessitate the
presence OF the postal force at the Of
fee on Sundays would be closed All
outgoing mail would be collected at
the usual Sunday hours. and all bust
ness men would have access to their
boxes at the Office. There would be a
few men at work. OF course. but the
entire force would not be on duty. A
resolution. presented by George II.
Kingsbury-"Resolve That the Rock
Island Business Mems association en-
dorse the movement 10 bring about the
closing OF the local postoffce all day
on Sundays. and hereby pledge oUx fur
her cooDeradon"-was unanimously
adopted.
No CANDIDATE ENDORSEMENTS.
Just before adjournment was taken