Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-11-18
Time SOUGHT BY
MAYOR To GIVE
CITY A CLEANUP
People Should Withhold Fur
Their Censure Pending Prom
ised Changes.
ONLY A FEW BAD PLACES
Declares Saloons as Whole Are Bet
ter Conducted Than fer 80
Years in Rock Island.

There is no denying there has been
some justification for the public out
cry against vice conditions in Rock
Island" said Mayor II. ". Schriver 10
an Argus representative last night,
but now that assurance has been
given by the proper Authorities that
there Is TO be a thorough cleaning up.
1t strikes me that the people ought 70
withhold further ceusure until We have
been allowed a reasonable time 10
prove that We mean 10 fulhll our prom
iseE.
Speaking for myself a. head Of the
municipal government. ! am fully sen
zible OF my responsibility in the prem
ises. / am not seeking 20 shift blame
that does not belong there on the
shoulders Of others. Neither do / wish
TO appear a. defending conditions as
they have existed Of late in Rock IS
land in certain districts.
Expressed Sentiment Helps.
1T is the history OF cities that a
healthy public sentiment will play an
effective part in accomplishing desired
moral betterments- / have often ex-
pressed d wish since ! assumed the .
mayOralty that the people manifest an .
interest in the affairs Of their city .
Enough evidence has come 10 the sur
face in Rock Island in the past few
weeks 10 convince me that the people
want a stTicter enforcement OF the
laws. Well, they are going TO get just
what they indicate they want. Already
] can state for tie information Of the
people that the gambling establish
ments are closed, and furthermore
they will not be permitted 10 operate
during my administration.
Taking up the saloon question. If
We are 20 have saloons. I maintain that
the business in Rock Island. with the
exception OF a few troublesome places.
Is better conducted than il has been
for 80 years. ! believe / will be sus-
tanned in that assertion b. any fair
minded person that VIII take the time
10 conduct an impartial investigation
] am now giving attention 20 the
places OF shady repute. and the public
can trust me TO see that dive saloons
viii not b. longer licensed. All / ask
is that a little time be- given 10 read
"a the situation Then II the i'm
provement demanded has not been put
into effect I am willing to answer to
the people for the consequences that .
will rightfu.ly fall upon my shoulders.
Sunday Violations.
There have been Sunday violations
OF the Sunday closing order for sa-
looms. There have also been viola. ,
tions OF the midniEh closing rule.
There have been a number OF arrests
and prosecutions for these offenses. ;
Perhaps the punishment has not been
severe enough to convince the saloon ,
keepers that II IS more profitable 20
obey our ordinances applying to these ,
cases. STRIFE Instructions have been
given to members OF the police depart
ment. and hereafter no excuse will be
accepted. ! have the power 10 revoke
] am obliged 20 do so in order 10 insure 5
a proper respect for the laws /
Il regret tina the delegation from q
the Rock Island WOmans club did not !
remain at the city hall 10 hear me out t,
yesterday afternoon. I simply wanted ,
TO assure them that the situation they /,
complained OF would be remedied. I .
was glad 10 have these good women :
call upon the commission. for their in
fuenCe should and doubtless vii. g
prove a power for good in the general .
Of the community.
Responsibility For Licenses.
a. a meeting % the commission
yesterday a resolution was offered and p
considered providing that saloon II m
cCnses be issued by the council in il
stead OF the mayor I have no objec- Ct