Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-11-27

industrial Importance upon the
highways that give them access to the
world Location may be ideal, there
may be great natural resources and
the people may be frugal, industrious
ana public-spirited, but If modern
transportation facilities are lacking,
there will be slow growth and prog
ress I
Measured by its rail highways, Rock .
Island stands among the foremost cit .
les in the west. Its local highways, I.
there is every reason to believe, Will /
soon be brought up TO a high stan /
card.
Concerning the arteries of general
commerce. little need be said The
very bulk of the business transacted
may be relied upon to automatically
maintain MS in OUT present position.
With reference 10 our local highways,
however, the campaign of education
begun some time since, must be con-
tinued indefinitely.
ON BIG CITY BASIS.
Rock Island is on practically the
same basis as Chicago and St Louis in
relation TO general transportation, and
far ahead OF the average inland city
of its class Freight and passengers
can be handled in all directions from
here with a facility almost equal 10
that TO and from the larger centers,
and at no greater cost. Three trunk
railway lines and many branches. To-
gether with water routes north, south
and east, make this possible. In the
matter of rates 70 and from the west,
we are on the same basis as St Louis
North and south our basis is the same
as that OF Chicago. with slight ~
vantage in some cases, particularly in
dealing with northern points. Eastern
commerce is slightly handicapped by
a bridge toll that has been charged by
railroads since the advent Of steam
transportation here. Rock Island pays
this toll. as Davenport does. and so do
other cities In the Mississippi valley,
from Quincy 10 Dubuque, regardless Of
the side Of the river on which they
happen 10 be located. There is now
pending before the interstate com
merce commission what is known as
Rock Island manufacturers are inter
ested with others in an appeal for the
removal OF the bridge toll and for the
placing OF cities I'm the valley. Rock
Island included, on the same basis as
st. Louis for eastern business. The
removal Of the toll is confidently ex-
pected, and It is entirely possible that
the St. Louis basis also will be granted.
RIVER RATES HELP.
Navigable waters have had much TO
do with giving Rock Island favorable
rates north. south and east. and It is
hoped that there viii be further ad-
vantages Gccruing along the same line
as the use Of the canal route between
here and Chicago becomes more gen
eral. An all-water route through to
the eastern seabUard can be establish
I'd for certain nOn-perishable commodi-
ties. and a decidedly lower freight rate
should DO the result When the Pan
ANA canal is opened Rock Island is
due TO share with other cities along
the river a considerable advantage in
rates, particularly on produce and man
ufactured articles consigned to foreign
ports and to the western coast of the
United States.
Rock Islands avenues for general
commerce rank with the best now. and
they always will, for the simple rea-
son, If no other. that the large nipple
ment and other manufacturing inter-
ests OF the tri-cities always will de-
mand and receive the best service that
can be given. and the facilities that
these big Industries enjoy will be
shared by the whole community. Com
mercial or industrial enterprises look
ing for location can scarcely hope to
find better shipping facilities anywhere
than here.
COUNTRY ROAD THE PROBLEM.
The country road is the problem in
which We are most concerned Just now
The streets OF the city are improved
but the avenues that connect them
with the surrounding cities, villages
and rural communities need looking
after. In this respect Rock Island but
shares the handicap common TO other
cities OF the middle west. Like others
We are just waking UP TO the value Of
good roads and are beginning TO con