Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-09-04
MOLTNE'S SECTION OF THE ARGUS

: LAS representatives of one OF the
largest and most important maniac
| turing cities in the state, we respect
fully submit for your serious. consid-
! Grafton the problem Of providing prop
! er housing facilities for this and many
other similar industrial centers In the
I commonwealth.
The act concerning corporations,
approved April IS, 1872, (see section
! l. chapter 80. entitled Corporations
-Hurds' revised status of Illinois,
/ 1922 provides for the formation of
! corporations for all lawful purposes
| brokerage. the operation of railroads
except banking, insurance, real estate
and the business of loaning money.
Later acts specifically provide for the
! formation of corporations to engage
in banking. insurance, operation Of
railroads and the loaning of money,
thus leaving real estate brokerage the
only legitimate line of business which
may not lawfully engaged in by a
corporate body.
This restriction. which prohibits
corporation from buying, holding and
selling land and from erecting houses
for sale, lease or rent, leaves this field
entirely to private enterprises, which
has not-and we feel cannot-meet
the requirements in rapidly develop
ing communities. Under existing con-
ditions we have n scarcity of houses
with resulting high rents for those
who secure them, and crowded and
unsanitary conditions for those who
cannot and must lodge in congested
boarding houses.
Private enterprise in building
houses for rent is naturally tempted
to crowd houses too close together
and to build cheaply in order to pro-
duce the greatest possible revenue.
Furthermore, individual enterprise
has failed to provide a sufficient num-
Der of houses to meet the demand.
Would Help Community.
Community needs must be met by
community cooperation and endeavor
and we believe that it is vital to the
growth and prosperity of our city,
and others similarly situated, that an
act be passed which will enable pub
lic-spirited men and women to organ
lie themselves into associations or
corporations to provide homes and
housing facilities for the needs of their
communities, and, also, if possible. IN
der proper restrictions, an act which
will permit Industrial corporations to
provide for their workmen modern
sanitary houses at reasonable rentals,
with the privilege of purchase.
we therefore petition your honor
that through a commission or other
wise. you investigate the effect pres
ent restrictions are having in the in
dUstrial centers OF the state in retard- !
ing the growth of these communities; |
in uphClding high rentals; in depriving |
wCrkmen of more modern and health /
full homes, etc. with view of pre-
senting to the incoming Legislature !
such facts as will enable our lawmak- |
ers to promptly draft and pass an act |
which will be in accord with good pub |
lie LEY, and which will enable legal
~ organized bodies to provide suffi !
cient and suitable homes for the peo- /
pie OF their communities. which is the |
foundation for better citizenship and |
general prosperity"
Want Special Train.
Following the reading of the petit
ton other business of Importance was /
transacted by the committee. II was
announced that officials of the Burling
ton line have stated that the custom
of sending a special train to the Rock
Island county fair at Joslin on Thurs
DAY, the big day, next week, will not
ha fn11au-aH Il
by the committee members this noon
to get the company to send the train.
\ protest will be entered with the
company officials and every effort
made to secure train.
George McMaster, representing the
Secial city beautiful committee. which
was appointed by the Commercial club
early this summer, reported that. con
tractors have felled trees while in
stailing pavement in certain parts of
the city, thus destroying beauty spots.
The committee went on record as
against this practice without a for
NAL agreement between the property
owners and the city commission The
matter mas been referred to the mem
bers Of the commission.
6oos2 Colona Fridge.
LT. W. L. Taylor suggested that the
committee forces support and boost !
The Colona bridge proposition which ,
VIII come up for decision at the fall }
elections. \ bond issue for the bridge
S 10 be voted upon. His suggestion :
received theasupport of the committee. ,
As 1t Is felt the county is badly in {
need Of this new bridge.
\. q. Abraham was appointed to
'ead the committee appointed last
week to arrange for the big booster
meeting to be held in this city Sept.
Is. II is hoped that a large number
u citizens will gather at this meet
ng In order 20 get into closer touch :
Win the Greater Moline COMMITTEE,
-II soc ILA l.