Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-10-25


fall. The bonded debt of the city is
100000, but $4,000 of this will be
paid off by December l. Concerning
the building and maintenance of parks
he explained the financial limitations
of the city. The two mill tax in 1911
produced $4,000, but by the reduction
made last year in the process of equal
ization of assessments this amount
was reduced to $4,000. However, I'M
der the law enacted by the last legis-
lature authorizing the levy of three
mill tax for park purposes, the munich
pality will have S2l, 900 for this pur-
pose next year.
AS TO PARKS.
Commissioner L. O.. Jahns opened
his talk with discussion of parks,
their value to the people, and recital
of the patronage of Prospect park.
He next told about the improve
ments made in the waterworks sys-
TEN, and particularly the standpipe,
with capacity of 100000 gallons, as
a reserve, of particular value in main
tanning good fire pressure.
DIR. w. E. Taylor threw cold water
on the commissioners enthusiasm in
this direction, by asserting that the
standpipe in the town of which he was
once mayor had proved an utter fail
ure. He asserted that instead of as
sisting the pumping station in emer-
gencies when fire pressure was requir-
ed, it proved to be bucking the pumps.
Mr.. Jahns, however, stood pat and
insisted that every engineer consulted
had declared that the principle upon
which the standpipe is constructed is
correct, and that it viii make for eff
ficiency in fighting fires.
Mr.. Jahns, in general discussion
of the waterworks department, held
that eventually it will be necessary to
adopt the meter system, and to pro-
coed with its installation when other
Improvements have been made, which
are of immediate necessity. Mr.
Jahns ridiculed the alum buga'
boo, and explained the process of
filtration, by which the alum attracts
to itself the lime and organic matter
held in solution by the raw water, and
is itself eliminated from the water be.
fore the treated product goes into the
mains.
MAYOR TALKS.
Mayor Carlson was the last speaker
and he discussed particularly the bust
ness of the various boards. He began
his remarks by declaring that if the
people are .not getting four-party tee
phones 1t is their own fault, because
that was the point the municipality in.
sisted upon in granting the new fran
chise to the Central Union
The cemetery board, during the past
two years, has bought property cost
ing $1,000. which is all paid for but
$1,1O0. The board plans the grading
down Of the west knoll and the filings
of the pond. Both the library and hos
pital boards are in a flourishing con
dition. The latter during the past
year paid off $4,000 of is indebted
ness.
Replying to a question concerning
the Tri-City Home Automatic Tele
phone company, the mayor expressed
the opinion that Moline and neither of
the sister cities will ever see the com
pany established. Il still think" re
marked the mayor, that the promo
, tiers are nothing more than franchise
brokers'"
The mayor next told what had been
| accomplished under the new building
! code. Building permits to the number
| of 779 have been issued since June 1
1912. The city's new high school vii
be fireproof. Moving picture houses
have been compelled to install fire
| proof machine booths, and aftei
/ March l, 1914, all buildings in which
moving picture shows are housed
must be built or brick or other fire
Proof material, or cease business.
| Moline is spending $4,000 a veal
for street lighting. Two men have
been added to the fire and police de
| partments, making a total force of q
in the former, and IS in the latter
A new fire alarm system is being in
stalled. Down town the wires ar,
placed underground, and in the resi-
dence districts new wires are replac
ing the old.
Before adjournment the club voted
to send floral offering to the funera
Of Harold Eastman