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

as will insure TO the people, SO far as
II is in its power TO provide IN the
terms Of its sale the carrying out OF
the conditions under which its fran
chises we're granted here. These IN
clude the union labor clause.
the rate clause, connection with
the rural or farmer phones IN the ter
rftory contiguous to Rock Island, the
maintenance Of the existing rates for
party line service, and a contribution
OF IS. 900 TO the city treasury OF Rock
Island. In addition TO this, the Union
Electric is bearing the expense of the
election, which It consented TO do In
order that the people might be given
the opportunity TO vote without ex-
pense TO the city, the third company
which seeks approval Of its proposed
50-year franchise in the same connec-
ton having declined 20 bear any part
OF the election expenses, while the mu-
nicipal commission mahe the license
proposition a part OF the same ballot
In all the years during which the tel
ephone question has been the subject
Of controversy, The Argus has steadily
fought for a better telephone service.
Il championed consistently every ordin-
ance which the Independent company
sought and secured, and just as per-
sistently did il oppose every ordinance
applied for by the Bell company that
did not give promise Of meeting the
requirements and demands OF the peo-
pie. II was Instrumental, as will be re-
called, IN compelling a former council
20 rescind two different ordinances
which did not meet with popular ap-
proval. IN fact. The Argus continued
its opposition 20 the renewal Of any
ordinance. until, as one OF the closing
acts Of the last administration under
the old form Of city government, that
OF Mayor McCaskrfn, an ordinance was
proposed and finally adopted against
which no public protest was lodged.
In the face Of these facts which
II IS the endeavor here TO state in the
spirit Of absolute fairness, il is but
Just, no less than as a means Of infor-
nation, TO say what will be the result
Of the election if certain conditions
prevail. IN a word. il is for the people
TO indicate whether they want one
telephone system or three. Should
they record themselves in favor of the
consolidating ordinance and in opposi-
ton 10 the third ordinance there will
be one system here. Should they favor
the consolidating ordinance and also
the third company ordinance there will
yet remain two ordinances. II the
vote is in opposition to the sale OF the
practically de1unct Union Electric
and IN favor of the third franchise
Rock Island VIII emerge from the
election with three telephone systems
on its hands.
The third proposition appearing on
the ballot is that sustaining an ordi-
nance increasing the saloon license in
the city of Rock Island from 5000 to
$1,000 per annum. The Argus has al
ways been in favor OF high license, a
position It has again subscribed to
during the present week For years it
has maintained that the saloon Ques-
ton may only be properly handled
by restriction, regulation and enforce
ment. Restriction on a basis of one
saloon to every 500 people would
eventually bring the number down TO
a reasonable ratio. while a higher IL
cense coupled. of course. with enforce
ment, would keep them within bounds