Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-01-07
Open THE GATES TO ALL.

OPEN THE GATES TO ALL
complications that have arisen over
the removal OF the terminal connec-
tons Of the East Moline, Watertown
and Silvis interurban line in that city
from Second avenue to Fifth avenue,
in order to avoid the menace of the
death-trap railroad crossing at Twenty
fifth street, in that city, holds that
the chief objection to- the contem-
plated change repOses in the danger
Of the interurban traffic coming on to
Rock Island, by means of direct con-
nection with or routing over the
Fourth avenue line. The paper quot
ed says:
IF the citizens change the opera
ton OF the cars from Second to Fifth
avenue, they make a great mistake
in the eyes of those opposed to the
removal. No merchants in the bust
ness district will benefit thereby 1t
is averred, as the crowds which alight
at Sixteenth and Second walk up to
FifteeGth street and the loop now.
On the other hand commerce on Third
avenue will undoubtedly lose by the
change.
I'm addition, and by far more det-
rimental TO the interests of Moline,
( it is alleged that the shifting of the
cars to Fifth avenue is merely the
first step in a move 20 take outside
trade through TO Rock Island.
That the interurban will connect
/ with the Geneseo line is the asser-
/ ton of one of the leaders in the move
ment to retain the traffic. The cars
will con -ihue on to Rock Island when
the project is fully carried out. Moline
is to be left in the lurch. Until the
new line is connected, the out of town
! passengers viii step out in the ,oop
district. In spite of the fac they are
IL Molines busiest section, it is pre-
sumed that they will continue to Rock
Island. Ia order to keep the trade In
Moline therefore, the several men VINO
are looking for the future welfare
Of The city have lent their aid to the
fight"
The Argus cannot reconcile itself to
the idea that the Moline paper referred
shares the convictions of any number
Of the representative men OF Moline,
at least of any portion OF the pro
gressive citizeIs who are responsible
for, the new Moline which the people
of the sister city are viewing with
pardonable pride. In the first place
it is difficult to conceive of how any
body could hesitate to commend the
removal of a source of peril to human
life. regardless Of who might direct
ly suffer in a pecuniary sense on the
one hand orr who might benefit indi-
recuy on the other hand
But on The theory that part of the
interurban traffic that enters Moline
might come on through to Rock Island
Moline is growing into too big a city
TO indulge in such narrow gauge ideaa.
From the way that city has been ad
vancing in metropolitan ways in
very recen- years, there should be
no fear Of competition with any 9TH
er city of like class. People coming
in from the upper end OF Rock Island
county OF the adjoining county OF
Henry. II destined for Rock Island
will get here, regardless OF whether
the route they travel terminates in
Moline or not. II they want to get on
in Moline. they will get OF there. even
in the event OF the remote possibility
OF the cars coming on through.
AS far as The Argus is concerned
it would OF course delight to see the
interurban cars tha' now enter Mo
line come on into Rock Island. alc
il would rejoice to see the accom-
plishment with Moline's full consent
On the other hand The Argus would
be pleased to see the cars Of tbs
Rock Island Southern or any Other
interurban road from the southland
there will be several of$hem in the
near future-not olly come into Rocl
Island. but go on to Moline and fur
Their east, If need be.
! The cities Of Rock Island and No
line have grown too closely togetheI
to stand on the issue Of what MAJ
, benefit one to the others disadvan
: tage. Their interests are identical
I What contributes to the material ad
vantage or prosperity or one, helps
: the other unavoidably. So let the inter
! urbans into both cities, by the safes
! and most convenient routes, and LEI
p them traverse between the two cit