Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-06-02

Following a months agitation for
the removal and better regulation of
signs suspended over the streets of
Rock Island, Mayor II. NJ. Schriver at
the regular session of the council yes
terday afternoon introduced a sign or
dinance for the consideration of the
council and it is very likely that when
the council meets again Thursday
morning, that the measure will be
adopted.
The bill as presented by the mayor
covers all of the desired changes and
according to indications yesterday, the
manner in which the commissioners
studied the measure and discussed it,
is indicative that it will receive the
unanimous vote of the council
The first provision is that every
firm or corporation must deposit with
the mayor a $4,000 bond, the said
bond to he conditioned upon the faith
full observance of the ordinance. For
the sake of protection against fire, the
signs must be constructed of metal
Provision is also made that the signs
be at least ten feet above the surface
of the street and not more than three
feet from the side of a building
Building inspector ]. H. Stapp will
have supervision of the inspection of
the signs and will pass upon all mat
ters in the regulation of the suspens-
ion of the display boards, their repair
and in cases where they are in danger
Gus condition their removal. He will |
also have charge of the annual inspec- |
ton of all signs in the city to be made |
during the month of March. |
AboIishes Movable Signs.
Another excellent feature of the |
measure is that it provides for the |
abolition of portable or movable signs, |
which are usually found stationed on |
the sidewalk in front of a place of /
business.
The penalty provided for offenders |
is not less than $40 and not more than
5000.
The commissioners studied all of the
provisions carefully and several minor
changes were made as they read over
he measure. II is an ordinance sim
lar to the one adopted in Davenport
some time ago.
1900 Merchants Aided.
The merchants OF the 1900 block
rave shown the results to the public
If the removal of the signs. Previous
o the dedication ceremonies last Wed
lesday evening, the merchants of the
block caused all such signs to be taken
Town, and the result from the stand
POINT of the beauty added to the block.
vas remarkable. The matter of the
safety OF the move is unquestioned
md therefore every phase of it is a
,ood one.
The merchants of the 1900 block in
emovfng the signs have given the
lgitation added impetus and the conn.
II feels that the public in general
viii unite in the approval of the law.
Smallpox Bills.
The one ripple of discord that an
'eared at the session came when the
mallpox bills OF Dr. G. G. Craig once
more came up for discussion. Com
missioner Archie Hart took exception
o a report which the health commits
Toner recently gave to the local pa-
'ers, in which it was stated illegal
Ills of the health department were
llowed by the council
commissioner Rudgren asked DR.
.raig to explain what he meant in his
tatement The health commissioner
eierred to the case of Mrs. Charles
icDonald. who was allowed So a day
Dr. the care OF her sister while at the
etention hospital. He said he thought
MS was too much and that 81 per day
'ould have been sufficient. He also
lentioned the Thuse case.
resolution was passed that DR..
raig bring before the council before
ext Monday. all bills which he claims
ere Illegal, and which he alleges
ere paid by the health department.