Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-03-09
Greater Rock Island,
GEORGE W. McCASKRIN.

If the attitude of The Argus, not on
" during his campaign for return to
the mayoral chair two years ago and
throughout his present administration
had not already convinced the public
mind OF a disposition on the part of
The Argus to be fair with Mr. Nc
/ Caskrin, the publication of this COM
munication ought to establish that
fact. Indeed, The Argus position
! throughout Mr.. McCaskrin's entire ca
reer in Rock Island has been one of
marked fairness toward him, and de-
spite the fact that it may have taken
exception TO his stewardship as a pub
1 lie official; may disagree ser
iously with him as to what
should or should not constitute
the prerogative or the policy of
mayor. and may favor another for the
Office in the pending campaign, yet it
expects to go on being fair with him.
AS far as it is in its power, its aim is
to avoid disagreeable features and to
eliminate personalities, as it indicat
ed yesterday.
ROCK ISLAND ALWAYS MOVES
At the start of his communication
Mr.. McCaskrin quotes in part from
comments of The Argus in connec-
tiCe with the presentation of its an
uaI building review, a feature which
this paper has given to the public
at the close of each year for a per-
iod that runs back many years
before Mr.. McCaskrin came TO
Rock Island. 1t is pleasing in this
connection, and it is of significance
as it bears upon the claims of the
mayor, to say that each succeeding
review on the part of The Argus
has shown steady increase in the
amount expended for building and
general improvements in Rock Is
land and this is not exclusive of
times of financial depression. Rock
Island, in other words, has always
progressed in spite of any and all
Influences that might tend TO con
trary effect and The Argus has no
hesitancy in stating its belief here
that it always will.
Going into the improvements with
which the city administration had
nothing to do and which include the
Denkmann library, a new public
school, extensive improvements in
mercantile establishments, to say
nothing of the wide range of general
building, including residence and
business buildings, Rock Island has
simply kept along with its established
pace, all of which 1t may be repeated,
"bodes well for the future"
Any discussion of the improve
ments of last year must in all fair
Eess take into consideration such deveI-
opments as were contingent upon
favorable action by the municipality.
or with which the initiative resulted
entirely with the municipality. Like
wise is il but just 10 state that the
fact that Mr.. McCaskrin was mayor
was not material in the consum-
nation Of the undertakings.
However, The Argus has no purpose
TO deprive him Of any credit not be-
longing to him in sharing in what
was actually done by the city, which
expended S1S4,S76, in general i'm
provemepts including the new filter.
The Rock Island Pillow company con-
tracted for The expenditure OF $780,
900, which was the result OF the ac-
ton on the part of the council with
the cooperation of the mayor in ced-
ing certain streets TO enable the in
dustry to expand and grow. The
public utility corporations expended
100000 in Rock Island and has
more to expend including an appro-
priatiOn on Rock river bridges is under
franchise extension ordinance
which the council passed, and repass-
ed over the mayors veto. The adj
justment of the Central Union Tele-
phone franchise litigation in which
the mayor played an important part.
resulted in the expenditure Of S225,-
900.
As TO FINANCES.
AS to the question of city finances,
in comparison with Moline. TO which
the mayor invites consideration, The
Argus is not prepared TO pass com
ments on short notice. In connection
with whatever may be shown, il need
hardly be said the facts will not be dis
torted either to benefit or prejudice
of the mayor,