Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1915-02-23
TALK JITNEY BUS
and STREET CARS
COUNCIL DECIDES TO LET FOR.
MER ALONE BUT TO ASK MORE
SERVICE OF LATTER.
Congestion On Traction Company Con,
veyances and Additional Night
Service Being Sought.


After practically deciding that they
would not at present in any way inter
fere with the jitney bus lines operat.
ing between Rock Island, Moline and
Davenport, the members of the city
/ council in regular session last evening
! determined to ask for better service
from the Tr-City Railway company in
this city.
The subject of street cars was
brought up through the consideration
of the 5itney bus lines, and the coUn-
/ ell decided 20 meet with John G. Hun
I toon, manager of the traction COM
| pany tomorrow afternoon and take up
with him the proposition Of running
later cars on the Elm street. relief of
the congestion on the Watch Tower
and Long View cars and the PROPOSE
{ ton of stopping the conveyances on
the far side of the street, which issue
was revived by Commissioner Robert
r Reynolds.
II was Commissioner Hart who
preached the matter of the jitney bus.
by asking the council If it was In
tended to require a franchise for the
machines. He cited that accidents
might occur through reckless driving
and chat If anyone was killed while
in one of the machines that there
would be little chance OF getting a
Judgment against the owner. He IN
sisted that the autos are using the
peoples streets and they should first
secure a franchise before operating in
the city.
Cannot Demand Franchise.
Mayor Schriver explained that there
were two cars in operation at present,
one between this city and Davenport
and the other between Rock Island
and Moline He declared that the bus
mess would likely become permanent
in this city; that II was a great ac-
commodation to the public and re-
lieved congestion on street cars. He
cited other cities where the jitney
buses were given practically free
reign, and declared that further than
charging a taXicab license that he felt
pretty sure the council could not force
the buses 20 secure a franchise
Commissioner Rudgren stated that
he had issued a taxi-cab license to
each of the two drivers and he stood
with the mayor in desiring that the
jitney buses be given a chance.
The mayor declared that he looked
for more machines TO enter the field
and that in the event that the business
developed here to any great extent
that the council could provide means
which would assure public protection.
- n
of Chicago as an example and declared
that the buses were established there
and that in case any great danger de-
veIoped TO the public that the Chicago
council would take steps to prevent it
He said that the council could watch
Chicago and follow accordingly.
After Street Car Company.
Through the talk of these buses
which We're invading the field of the
Tri-City Railway company. several OF
the commissioners felt that a meeting
was necessary with Mr.. Huntoon. to
secure better street car service for the (
city
1t was cited that the company had (
valuable rights in Rock Island and that
il was only just that better service I.
should be granted. As Commissioner .
Rudgren expressed It: The railway .
should give US more service, I
even though not at an hour of profit. /
for what rights We gave it"
The necessity of an owl car on
the Elm street line was advocated by .
Commissioners Rudgren and Rey-
nolds. In the event that an all night
car cannot be secured as on the
Fourth avenue and bridge lines, then
another car leaving the business dis
trict here about l o'clock in the morn
ing will be asked for At present the
last car leaves about midnight. With
the additional car. partial service
would be given TO many who reside in II
the district entered by the Long View
line. \
Mayor Schriver cited the congestion
of the Long View cars, mornings, i
moons and between the hours Of to Il
s. in the evening He pointed TO the |
same conditions on the -Tatch Tower
line. and stated that tn. tier should
be taken UP with Mr.. Huntoon. Com
missioner Reynolds asked also that
the far-side stop be revived and the
agreed on meeting
Wednesday afternoon with Mr.. Hun
toon to talk over matters.
Claim for Overtime.
The claim of a. ]. SINNERS of the
department for 1888
overtime was held up on motion Of
commissioner Rudgren. The matter
.endent of waterworks, to investigate.