Rock Island Argus., 1916-01-11
COMMISSIONhCTS
UNANIMOUSLYFOR
SHARP'SREMOVAl
Mayor Holds That Question at Issue Is
Power OF Commissioner to Run
His Department.
SAYS RIGHT MUST BE SUSTAINED
Executive Declares Harmony Is at
Stake and Murrin's Stand Is En-.
dorsed Without Dissenting Vote.

Following fiery oratory, the Rock
Island municipal commission yester-
day unanimously endorsed the action
of Commissioner ]. A. Murrin in re-
moving r. ". Sharp as superintendent
of waterworks.
The events which were brought to
a climax with confirmation Of the dis
missal of the former chief of the pump
ing station and filtration plant oc-
Cured as follows;
Petitions from the Rock Island club,
the Rotary club, one signed by 502 cit
liens, and local physicians commit
tee. were read and at Commissioner
Rudgren's motion were received and
placed on file.
At the suggestion OF Commissioner
Rudgren and Mayor McConochie the
usual order of business was followed,
each commissioner in turn presenting
resolutions concerning affairs in his
department
M sIurrin, the last TO be called
upon, briefly reviewed the history Of
events which eliminated in the remov-
al of Mr.. Sharp, referring the matter
of the letter of recommendation which
Mr. Sharp published TO City Attorney
J. X Scott
Mr. Scott told of Mr.. Sharp having
written the letter and Mr. Murrin sign
ing 1t with the stipulation that it not
be used locally.
Mr.. Murrin, with a few more re-
marks. offered his resolution.
Mayor McConochie seconded the mo-
ton, stating that the question at issue
was the right of a commissioner to
conduct his department and that if
that power is removed, harmony OF
the commission is destroyed.
DR.. Joseph De Silva, the mayor and
City Attorney ]. K. Scott exchanged
words, the doctor arguing that the ma
jority of the people had rights in the
matter
Dr. Louis Ostrom stated that Dr. De
Silva, chairman of the medical com
mittee which drew up the resolutions
protesting against the removal of Mr.
Sharp, was present and would like tC
be heard.
Mayor McConochie instructed the
city clerk to call roll.
Each commissioner voted for the
adoption Of the resolution.
Only Few Present.
In certain circles fever excitemen
resulted yesterday when rumors wer,
circulated that Commissioner Murri1
proposed to bring the controversy tt
head. Stories followed that at leas
one hundred people would be presen
at the meeting. The councilmen ac
cordingly had the third floor assembl,
room, which is more adequate than tn
present chambers on the second floor
prepared and were ready to adjourn t,
the upper story if necessary.
There were only few on hand, how
ever. They included the committee o
physicians, several private citizens in
terested in other matters and delega
ton Of the pure food department of tn
Woman's club, who were in attendanc
on another question.
After the minutes were read tn
first matter taken up by City Clerl
Rudgren was reading of the resolu
tions of the organizations protestinj
against the removal of Mr.. SHARP
They were received and placed on file
and although 1t was generally expecte
that the matter would Immediately b
acted upon, the mayor asked that tn
usual order of business be followed
This delayed the action for Is min
utes.
When Mr. Murrins turn came, h
said:
Your honor, l know how to run m
department. I know how these phys
clans feel about this matter, but l war
to say that very little courtesy ha
been extended TO me. The pure foo
department of the Woman's club wa
the only organization in Rock Islam
that asked me to address them, to hea
my side of the case"
Turning to the doctors, the commits
slOner said:
Evidently the physicians did NJ
read my statement to the press or the
would not have passed the resolution
Mr.. Sharp is no more a scientific ma
than | am. He learned all he kne
by experience just the same as