Rock Island Argus., 1915-03-02
PROTEST IS MADE
ON BUILDING BILL
meINNIs BROTHERS. CONTRACT.
oRs. OPPOSE PROVISIONS OF
ORDINANCE IN FORCE.
Claim Excessive Fees are Charged and
Declare Erection Of Homes is
Thereby Retarded.


mission last evening by McInnis
brothers. general contractors. II vas
claimed that excessive fees are
charged for inspection and other hard
ships imposed which tended 20 retard
building.
Most OF the session was devoted 10
consideration OF the proposed amend
ments TO the ordinance At the insti-
CATION OF cement block manufacturers,
several OF whom we're present at the
meeting. Il was decided 10 have all ce-
ment blocks used in foundations un-
dergo a test by the building Inspector.
1T costs sI2 in inspection fees TO
build a house IN Rock Island" com
planned \ z. McInnis. 1t costs 50
for the use OF wafer by lathers. Why
should the general contractor have to
pay for the same Then the building
inspector must be paid. a permit pur-
chased. a plumbing inspector settled
with and the result IS that the con-
tractor IS hit mighty hard during the
course OF a year. OF course we might
have the people building pay for the
same but we have not done 50 for
much OF the building has been for OUT
selves. / believe that the city should
encourage the erection OF homes. rath-
er than discourage them by excessive
fees.
Don't Need Inspector
Mr.. McInnis questioned the need OF
an inspector. except for plumbing. and
mentioned an instance where he was
forced TO pay 81 for an alteration 10
n sleeping porch. II was arranged 10 /
take up the ordinance later IN the
week
Charles T. Kindt and J. s. Stevens /
were also present 20 be heard reia- Z
tive 20 the provisions OF the new bin /
board measure. but they were inform Z
ed Il would be taken up at meeting |
this afternoon.
George T. Bartholomew. sos Thirty /
fourth street. complained 20 the com I
mission again relative TO the size OF I.
his assessment when paving was laid .
on Thirty-fourth street. II was alleged .
that while people on the other side OF f.
the street were charged but S5.Q1 he /
was assessed at the rate OF $3.50.
Mistake IN Ro'i. /
The McInuis brothers explained .
that mistake had been made IN the
had been owned by Nr. Gable. After .
the Wills confirmation. the McInnis .
brothers purchased the land and di-
yided u up ito six lots. II had been .
decided 10 open up Eighth avenue and
the cost FOR paving this intersection
was placed on the six lots. instead OF
over the entire district. 4 recost as
sessment should have been made. The
result was that Mr.. Bartholomew and
others who purchased lots from Nc
-nnis brothers were forced 70 gay an
sxOrbitant fee for the improvement
The county Judge holds that after
Term OF court has passed after con
irmation OF roll. Il cannot be
changed. However an EFFORT viii be
made 10 get all OF the property owners
together and reach a satisfactory
Complaint was also made about
pond which is located cast OF the
Rock Island brewery. between what
would De Eighth and Ninth avenues
Z opened up.
Big Sewer Needed.
I. was agreed that "a would have
10 be drained and that half OF the
Expense would be met BY the city and
ialf by McInnis brothers. who filled
n the land IN question and caused
he conditions complained Of
The matter OF having Evans brotF-
RS TX ND the cement sidewalk on
Twcnty-hfth street near Thirteenth
venue was brought mp and the for
ner agreed 10 attend 10 the same this
prinE.
The condition OF F',-rS four-b
treet and Tenth avenue. where water ,
runs over the backyards OF
esidents. was considered and Il was
greed 20 raise the sidewalk and IN
tall storm drains.
That a big outlet sewer IS needed In
he west end OF the city was admitted.
number OF other complaints about
ne inability of the sewers 20 care Tor
DO water was considered and the
ointment was expressed that the new
ever project should be one OF the
rst matters TO be taken up by the
ew commission.
Firenen Get Holiday.
The demand for an increase in
rzees and for time on from the FIRE
,cn was considered and IL was agreed
, give the men one day on in six
lhich will mean the employment o;
wo extra men in the department.
II was decided TO urge that a side
raik be installed on both sides of
1rh avenue from Fortieth TO Forty
bird street A letter was read asking
Or the installation OF catch basins on
enth street from Fourteenth
D Eighteenth avenue.
Out of Funds
The fact that the waterworks fund
as been exhausted was brought out
Z the meeting. Claims were allowed
he employees OF the department with
ut the money In sight but II was pro-
-osed 20 adop; without delay an
merxency ordinance TO tide over the
ituation- Adjournment was taken un-
n Thursday morning at 10 O'Clock.