Rock Island Argus., 1914-12-31
ROTARY CLUB is
FILLING A NEED
Organized Nine Months Ago, It
Has Done Much for City's
Betterment.
AIDS ALL IMPROVEMENTS
Working on Union of Rock Island, Mo-
line and East Moline Under
Borough Plan.

In the short space OF nine months
| the Rock Island Rotary club has
| forged 10 tbl front as one of the city's
most progressive organizations. Or
! dinarily, the main object OF rotaryism
/ is not to lead in local improvements,
] but instead to stand behind any or
! ganization doing this work, and the
| Rotary club has assumed the func-
tion.
Rotary Clubs were primarily organ
/ lied TO establish closer relationship
between men of various crafts and
professions in each city, to promote
business, to work up moral influence
| toward honesty and square methods
in business dealing, to promote inter |
ests of the hcme city generally, and to /!
assist the officials and not be antagon- |
istic. Many business men are includ- \
ed in the local club, and naturally |
they have the welfare of the city at !
heart.
The Rock Island Rotary club was |
organized at a meeting held March 80
of this year at the Rock Island club.
There were Rs charter members. B.
ID. Connolly. one of the prime movers,
was chosen temporary president, Z.
II. Guyer vice president and r. c.
Mitchell secretary and treasurer.
With an increased membership the
annual election was held June 1. the
following officers being chosen:
President-B. d. Connolly.
Vice President-E.sH. Guyer.
Secretary and Treasurer-R. C..
Mitchell.
Sergeant al Arms-ArthUr Harms.
Directors-B. d. Connolly. E. II.
Guyer, r. {. Mitchell. j. B. Bassett.
VI. II. Sexton. \. B. DuVon and Frank
Mix;er.
Meets Tuesday Moons.
The club meets each Tuesday noon
with a luncheon at the Rock Island
club and Hotel Harms in surn. The
club has at present 75 active mem
bers, all of which were elected to
membership and representing the var
i3us professions and line of business
in Rock Island.
The first improvement issue taken
up in July was for the west end fac
tory district. where many facilities
were lacking. Largely as result
water and sewer mains have
been laid and a D-oject started for
the paving OF Second street, although
the work is being held up by a law
suit by residentse on the street. The
paving of Second street was agitatec
for years and no headway made be-
fore the Rotary club took hold of the
matter.
Next a campaign for cleaner streets
and alleys was taken up with the
city commissioners. and the club is
still working and will continue to
work on this proposition. The com
nittee in charge reported that the or
finances of the city were not enforced
and that a different method would
lave TO be adopted. The committee
prevailed upon the members them
selves TO arouse sentiment in this,l @
and they are now inspect
ng and reporting weekly upon condi-
ions of alleys. III
Aids Harbors Bill.
In response to a communication v
rom the Rotary club at Portland. el
)re.. in August the club assisted in in
action on the river nd har- is
ors bill, then pending in congress.
nd was assured the support of sena- in
Ors and congressman of this state. lie
The Rotary club was the first organ, yt
.ation to take action on the bridge TO
nd jail bond issues al the fall cleo he
on. and its efforts for a bridge at vC
ne mouth of Rock river failed be- WI
ause Moline and the country did not he
-pport the movement. 70
The consolidation of Rock Island, tic
ioline and East Moline. under con- he
-ol Bf a central government. each in.
ty 10 retain its own name. as a bor- DO
ugh. was next asitated. The public
fairs committee is working on this "
lestion nt the present time and is gu
skiing legislation at Springfield. This m;
an cannot be accomplished under an
e present state law. as the citiey pli
ould have to unite UNDERGONE name. WI
owever. a bill Is now pending in the ca
ate legislature TO permit the bor- sh
Ugh plan. one hundred dollars has
zen set aside lor the use OF the COM cit
ittee in this WORK. I'll,
The club is also agitating the erec- gre
IN OF a new freight depot for the ate
1 cit