Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-07-22

the direction of the state engineer and
that at the present time, of all the 70
miles in the county he travelled. this
piece OF highway was in the worst
condition. He stated 1t was full of
holes and entirely unsatisfactory. IF
the state expects to experiment with
concrete in this county at an expense
of $4,000 a mile, l think we better
keep our old fashioned dirt roads, he
declared.
81 supposed the three roads We des-
ignated would be improved this year"
stated Supervisor Hanna. The road
and bridge committee thought at least
two miles of road would be built with
this years appropriation but 1t seems
that less than one mile is to be in
stalled. AS / understand 1t the appro-
priation this year covers a Two year
period, so that II looks as though all
we will get this year is one mile of
concrete costing $4,000"
Superintendent Treichler said that
when the engineers from the state
were here making their surveys, they
announced to him that in their judg-
ment the Taylor Ridge road should be
built because OF the heavy traffic and
they also recommended. because of
its Importance, an Is foot road be
tried. He stated that the figures con-
tanned in the estimate were consider
ably higher than necessary, the con-
crete work being figured at S1.50
square yard, when the work could
easily be put in for from s1-29 to S1.32.
Wants Road Machinery.
Supervisor Hanna then addressed
the board in opposition to the resolu-
ton calling for an appropriation Of
s7,153 for state aid roads. 81 think
the county better spend the money for
the purchase of road machinery, and
I think the results would be more
satisfactory. All of the roads in the
county could then be given attention"
Supervisor James McQuaid, Black
Hawk. also spoke in opposition to the
resolution. Supervisor Wadsworth
moved that the resolution be passed.
but it was hopelessIy lost, only 10
members voting for it.
II was then explained to the board
by Mr. Treichler that the money ap-
propriated could not be used for any
purpose except according to the plans
of the state highway commission. He
recommended that the board ask the
commission to change the plans and
specifications in order to make the
Taylor Ridge road 10 feet instead of
Is feet wide. He said that in other
counties changes had been made In
the plans and he thought the commits
sion would accede to the wishes of the
board A motion then carried the
board go on record as opposed to the
IS foot road and suggesting to the
state commission a 10 foot road as
originally planned. This carried by
practically a unanimous vote.
Infirmary Report.
Supervisor Grafiund, Moline. made
written report of the conditions at
the county infirmary and also made
motion which passed that Superin-
tendent F. B. Wylie be given author
ity to purchase any produce he may
desire for the market which recently
was established in Moline. A report
of the market was also made and Mr..
Wylie was praised for the successful
manner IN which it is being conducted.
Mr.. Grafiund referred to the criticism
which had been heard from a few dis
gruntled Moline people relative to the
market but declared he thought the
opposition was not general and that
the market was a good thing.
Superintendent Wylie promised to
put a market in Rock Island next year
if possible and declared that he hoped
to have the infirmary self-supporting
within the next few years. Supervisor
Douglas recommended that new name
be secured for the institution. He
thought poor farm or 'infirmary''
had certain odium in connection with
ii and suggested that the word home"
would be appropriate.
Reject Bids.
Supervisor Hanna reported that the
road and bridge committees of Rock
I Island and Whiteside counties held a
recent meeting here at which time
bids were opened for improvements to
/ be made on the Meredosia and Rock
River bridges at Hillsdale. The low
est of the two offers was $1,000 over
the engineers estimate and both were
rejected. Superintendent Treichler
recommended that the board in the
future advertise for separate bids for
material and. for labor.