Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-05-08

not far behind in the sums being
laid out for improvements.
At Sears, on Rock river, a water
power plant Is being built. that will
furnish energy to run factories en-
ploying additional thousands of men
while plans are being formulated for
the Harvesting of the Rock Island
rapids in the Mississippi river, utiliz-
ing a fall of 20 feet between Port
Byron and Rock Island, and giving
100000 horse power Given this
cheaper power manufacturers in the
three cities will receive an impetus
that is expected TO make the COM
munity one of the most important in
dustrially in the country. Capital
by the millions will come here for in
vestment, population will grow by
the thousands and the fame of the
tri-cities will be spread anew
throughout the world.
CENTER OF THE THREE.
Rock Island is the center Of the
three cities and the most advantage
eously located. The capital of Rock
Island county, its name is carried
abroad by the railway system that its
citizens founded, by the products Of
the great government arsenal which
is one of the bulwarks of the nation s
military strength, and in many other
ways.
Rock Island is the most important
crossing place on the Mississippi be
tween St. Louis and st. Paul and the
amount of business passing back and
forth over the stream has exceeded
at these two places only Rock
Island is also at the western termin
US Of the Hennepin canal, which con
meets IL by water with the great
lakes, offering a cheap outlet for
heavy produce and furnishing another
means of connection with the immense
industries of the east.
The many natural and artificial
attractions of the city make it fav-
orite place for holding conventions
and an objective point for numerous
excursions from surrounding cities
within a few hours ride by rail. The
advantages above enumerated, TO-
gether with others of lesser impor-
lance, coupled with energetic and
persistent enterprise on the part of
the people who form its population,
have made Rock Island what we find
it today.
THE PUBLIC UTILITIES.
transportation facilities not ex-
celIed in any other city in the country
are 10 be found in Rock Island, and
are an important influence in the de-
velopment of the outlying districts.
The service is prompt and efficient
and covers every section. Most of
the lines are of recent construction
and the cars are new and modern.
some of them being built in the com
pany's own shops.
The Central Union Telephone com
pany has. just completed the placing
OF its wires underground and there
has been a notable improvement in
the service. The Union Electric Tel
ephone company, an independent
competing line, gives free connection
with the rural companies in the low
er end of the county.
Gas and electricity, at reasonable
price, are furnished in every part
nf the citv.
INSURANCE HEADQUARTERS
Rock Island is one of the leading
cities in the country as headquarters
for fraternal insurance societies. Be
sides the Modern Woodmen OF Ameri-
ca, which has its head office here
there is the Royal Neighbors of
America, its auxiliary. The COM
btned membership of the two socie-
ties is !, 3 900, in round numbers,
and the insurance in force more than
$4,000. 100000, in the old line in
surance field is the Northern Life
company, while there is one fire in
surance concern. the American Ma
tional
CITY IMPROVEMENTS.
Rock Island-i is now under the com
mission form of municipal govern.
ment, system that experience has
proven a success elsewhere central
izing responsibility and giving op-
portunity for the remedying of many
evils that attended the old form OF
government by councilmen represent
ing wards.
The city has just completed a
100000 filter. which gives it a nun
icipal water plant costing 100000,