Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-05-13
STARTS FIGHT IN
CITY COUNCIL ON
BILL BOARD EVIL
Commissioner Archie Hart De-
clares High Structures Are
Unsanitary.
MAR BEAUTY OF STREETS
City Votes to Purchase Uniforms for
Policemen and Firemen-WiH
Make New buds.
MAR BEAUTY OF STREETS

Down with the high bill boards!
War on them was declared in no IN
certain fashion yesterday afternoon
by Commissioner Archie Hart at the
weekly session of the city commits.
sion. He is against them not only
because he thinks them unsightly but
primarily for the reason that he be-
Heyes them unsanitary because of the
rubbish which collects around them
and even immoral because of the un-
savory habit DRINKS have formed of
going TO roost behind them.
ARE DANGEROUS.
Commissioners Hart served notice
that he would probably introduce an
ordinance at some early meeting
dealing with the evil. He said that
1t had become a custom TO use vacant
lots, especially corners, in both the
business and residential sections of
the city for billboards so high that
neighboring houses were overtowered
and the view shut off. He cited an in
stance on Fifth street particularly and
at Twenty-fourth street and Fifth
avenue. He mentioned the great dan
ger there was of autos and other We
hicles colliding at corners because of
the inability of drivers to gaze over
the high boards. It is understood
there Is a state law giving cities the
right to regulate the height of bill
boards and this will be looked into
with a view Of rigidly enforcing the
same.
FIGHT AGAINST PAVEMENT.
A delegation of property owners
from Twentieth street was present to
protest against the repaving of that
street from Seventh TO Eleventh ave-
nues. William Jackson, !. S. White,
c. A. Schoessel and Sdward Krell ad-
dressed the council, declaring that a
new pavement was not needed and
asked that the street might be repair
ed temporarily at their own expense,
delaying the permanent improvement
for several years. The ordinance for
the pavement was, however. consider
ed, the commission voting unanimous
y for il. The estimated cost for the
improvement is s15,2l5.50 and the ma
terinl selected brick
Commissioners Martin Rudgren and
Jonas Bear we're selected to repre-.
sent the city at the hearings at
Springfield on the Tice good roads
measure which was held today, and
the Illinois & Michigan canal project
which will be up tomorrow. The
council voted to pay the expenses Of
the city's delegates. Com missioner
Reynolds voting no"
FREE UNIFORMS.
The matter of free uniforms for the
members of the city police force and
fire department was brought up by
Commissioner Hart. He offered a
motion that hereafter the city pur-
chase the uniforms and this carried
unanimously. The city attorney had
advised Commissioner Hart that an
ordinance covering the matter was not
required, as the sum could be taken
out Of the appropriation. II is pro-
vided in the resolution that the city
furnish one Uniform each year to ev-
cry member Of the two forces. Local
merchants are urged to submit sam
pies by Saturday to Commissioner
Hart.
The mayor was authorized on the
motion of Commissioner Hart to ad-
yertise for bids on combined pump
and hose wagon and an auto patrol
and ambulance car. This equipment
has long been needed and will help
materially in the work Of the fire and