Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-11-23

of money when it was taken into con-
sideration that the health of every
resident Of Rock Island is involved.
MAYOR EXPLAINS SITUATION.
Mayor H. NJ. Schriver was first call
ed upon by Chairman B. D. Connolly
20 explain the situation as it exists.
The mayor explained the need of a
competent man to supplant Profes-
sor Birdsall, resigned. He stated that
in his opinion the commission should
place a competent man at the head of
the waterworks, who could superin-
tend the whole plant, one with engin-
eering ability who could operate the
plant on an economic basis and en-
Joy the confidence of the people. He
spoke of the capabilities Of r. w.
Sharp and stated that there is no
better man in the country for the posi-
ton at hand Mr. Sharp built the 10
cal plant and is perfectly cognizant of
conditions here. The mayor recalled
the fact that after the SUPPLEMENTARY
\ OF waterworks had been abolished, in
line with a general retrenchment pol
icy, that the waterworks had been
without a head up until the time Pro
fessor Birdsall assumed active
charge. The mayor felt that the COM
mission should decide the matter il
self, and that should the matter be put
to a vote of the people, they would
look only at the $500 a month. regard
less Of the benefits TO be derived from
81 - -,
for a competent head. He dwelt on
the fact that should the people vote
against the creation of this Office
there would be no superintendent of
waterworks and filtration, no scien-
] tific management and the plant would
be left like a rudderless ship at sea,
| to take care of itself.
Commissioner Bear gave a brief
history of the situation since his cleo
l ton and confessed he had but a super
/ fetal knowledge of the workings of
| the plant He felt that the RESPONSE
[ bility for this plant rested upon him,
and therefore he desired a competent
man to assume charge of same in or
/ der to insure the proper supervision.
/ He confessed that there were prob
/ lens involved beyond his knowledge.
Various business men were then
/ called upon 10 express their views. Z.
/ H. Guyer said il was obvious that the
plant needed a head, and that if the
/ commissioners were incompetent to
dispose of such matter without
/ calling an election, he believed that
/ the election should be called for the
purpose Of determining whether or not
/ the city wants those commissioners.
l. S. White said the commissioners
are responsible for the waterworks
and its management When they were
employed, it was on the assumption
that they were competent to dispose
of such matters and that it was up to
them TO decide the SUPPLEMENTARY
. question, according to their best
/ judgment of what pertained to the
best welfare of the city. He favored a
good head, TO insure the people
against loss of life, brought on by use
of impure water
Hon. William McEniry said 81 am
in favor of placing the management of
the waterworks in the hands of men
who have made a study of the stu,
alton. Il seems to me that the com
missioncrs are attempting to shift re-
sponsibility. According to the law
there is no question that the com
mission has no right to submit this
question at an election without TAX
ing the proper legal steps. ! fee
that the commissioners should be told
of their mistake and be informed OF
the sentiment maintained by the bust
j.. ness men of Rock Island. To submit
this matter at the special election IL
legally, will establish bad precedent
In any big industry no expense is
spared to place a capable man at its
p head. The city should adopt the
same plan through the commission.
Hon. l.. S. McCabe held that the