Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-26

! city's needs and that the additional
revenue. through the bridge and
street tax. which was levied last year
for the first time. was absolutely nee
essary.
why II is a huge joke. this at
tempting to police a city the size of
Rock Island with six uniformed men
and one plainclothes man at night.
The speeders race through the streets
at an alarming pace and we are pow
eriess to stop the practice, because
we haven't sufficient police force"
Moline appropriated $4,000 for it's
police department and we figure SIS
000." declared Commissioner Rudgren
Il think the people of Rock Island
are getting plenty of protection
Need More Policemen.
I'VE should by all means add two
or three new men to the force at
once" argued Mayor Schriver, land
the number ought to be six or seven
The ball park fence needs attention
and a watchmen should be assigned
there, II We are to conserve that prop
erty. Then there is the police mag
istrate's room. If i was police magis-
trate of this city l would refuse to
use the quarters now assigned that
official. The detention hospital must
be enlarged. according to DIR. G. G.
Craig, health commissioner, who
states there are II smallpox patients
in the building at the present time.
The improvements would probably
cost $500. The city hall needs paint
so badly that its appearance is
disgrace.
IL do not like to burden the city
with heavier taxes. but it is absurd
to start the year with $4,000 in the
contingent fund. We have added
from 500 to 500 acres to the city &ad
this new territory demands police and
fire protection. These actual needs
of the city should be taken care of.
Because the county and state rate was
raised considerably last year is no
reason why the city should cripple it
self and refuse to provide the money
that is required for its work"
There are % policemen on the
payroll announced Commissioner
Rudgren, "and not the number the
mayor has intimated. The sum of
$4,000 is appropriated to the park
board and this ought to be sufficient
to care for the repairs at the base
ball park
There are only six or seven uni
forced policemen on the street at
night and the force is not nearly large
enough" insisted the mayor. land the
par,s board has not assumed charge
of the ball park and doesn't intend
to-"
Pass Amendment.
Mayor Schriver then renewed his
resolution of a week ago that the
street and bridge special tax be lev
led but for some unaccountable rea- |
son his supporters in the council |
failed to come to his aid and the reso- |
luton was lost for the want of sec
ond. However, later in the session |
another opportunity offered itself for |
the mayor to accomplish his purpose |
This came when Commissioner Rud- |
gren presented the appropriation or
dinance. Mayor Schriver moved that |
the amendment quoted above, provid- |
ing that the street and bridge special |
tax be imposed. be included in the |
measure and this carried, three to |
two. Commissioners Reynolds and |
Rudgren were absolutely opposed to
any increase in taxes. Commissioner
Rudgren insisted his budget was suffi-
cient to carry on the business of the
city for the year and could not see
the wisdom nor necessity for boost
in the city rate. which will make it the
highest in the history of tine city, and
cannot be further raised except by
special vote of the people.
Commissioner Rudgren announced
that $4,000 more would be available
for the police, fire and health depart
ments than was first proposed. The
sum OF $4,000 was figured for the
Twelfth and Thirteenth avenues and
street sewer, but this
was reduced to $4,000 because the as
sessments have been spread out over
Rudgren suggested that
81 900 be added to the health fund,
making a total of $4,000; $1,000 to
the fire department, making a total
Of 5000. including $500 for a new
auto, and the rest to the contingent
fund. making a total of over $4,000.
However. this Encouragement did not
satisfy Mayor Schriver,
who insisted enough money had not
been given the health. police and fire
Another fight over the
provisions of the appropriation ordi-
nance is anticipated when the meas
Ire comes up for final adoption next