Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-07-06
ARMY WACONST0
BE MADE IN CITY
Deere 4 Co. Said to Have Been Low
Bidder on Large Consignment for
the Government.
AMOUNT INVOLVED Is 100000
All of Moline Factories and Retail
Business Houses Enjoying Pros
porous Season.

From Washington. D. c., comes the
word that Deere & Co. of Moline is ex-
pected in that city to land big con-
tract TO supply the United States army
with wagons.
The contract is for approximately
100000 The local concern is appar-
entity the low bidder among the many
companies that filed bids with the war
department through the quartermaster
at Jacksonville. Awarding OF the
contract is now in the hands OF the
war department, and there is every
reason to believe the Moline manufac-
turers Will get the contract
The message does not state what
type of wagon is to be made. 1t has
been frequently reported from the Dor
der. however. that in certain parts OF
Mexico which American troops have
had TO traverse, automobile trucks are
not practicable because of geographic
conditions, and it is supposed the Wag-
ons are of d type used to transport
both troops and supplies.
With a 500, 600 government order in
sight for Deere & Co, with Williams,
White & Co. already working on a
government order and with larger
ones of a similar nature in sight, with
more men being added to the arsenal
force every day and plans in the max
ing to build additional plants there.
with a big government order said TO be
in sight for the Velie concern, with the
Moline Pillow company preparing to eX-
pand its already great plant for the
purpose of manufacturing in volume
its new line, the Universal tractor, and
with the Silyis shops reported as eX-
tremely busy, Moline bids fair to put
in a buster summer and autumn than
it has for years.
Men Are Working.
This seems particularly certain in
light of a report that Deere & Co. will
start on its regular winter run some
time this month, which is far easier
than usual. The Deere shops have
been technically closed for inventory
for several weeks, but, different from
last year and several preceding years.
this has not meant the laying off of
many men, for nearly every employe
who wants to work is working.
Period of Prosperity.
That Moline is already entered upon
a period of great prosperity is appar-
ent. During the last few weeks sew
eral real estate deals of an important
nature have been made public, and
rumors of some of great magnitude are
heard, showing that a general revival
is one. Monetary considerations in
volved in the deals reported indicate
that realty values here have held their
own in spite of the slack season of the
last three years.
Merchants Get Results.
Merchants throughout the city are
feeling the tide of the prosperity
which plenty of work in the big shops
bring to the city. All of them report
that business for July was far in ad-
vance of that of last year. One cloth
ing merchant has said that in June,
just ended, his business ran $1,000
more for the month than it did in June,
1915. and was as far ahead of June,
1914.
SIS More Daily.
Department stores and stores in all
lines are said to be doing a large sum-
mer business. One of the new cigar
stores, among the several that have
been recently established here has
averaged SIS a day more business
since it opened than the proprietor
had hoped for, even at his maximum
estimate.