Rock Island Argus., 1916-01-21
GRATING CHARGE
SP0ILs OIL DEAL
J. II. Cunningham OF Toledo, Ohio, Gets
In Bad With the Davenport
Council.
IS EXPOSED BY THE MAYOR
Permit to Install Tanks in Lot He Had
Leased in City Across Way is
Denied.

J. H. Cunningham of Toledo, Ohio.
advised The Argus last week that h.
decided to locate the western distrib-
uting branch of the Commonwealth |
Oil company of Toledo, Ohio, in Rock I
Island. He stated that at that time he
was seeking location on which to
erect a two-story warehouse Cunning
ham was before the Davenport city
council Wednesday evening. We will
let the Davenport Democrat tell the
story:
Graft B-rrrr! That was what
J. H. Cunningham, representative OF
an eastern oil concern, heard at the
council meeting last night.
THE dogs of war were ordinance
CANNES, encased in the proverbial
sausage skin, in comparison with the
hounds that barked Cunningham into
a coughing silence He had charged
graft, it was reported to the coun-
ell.
cunningham came to ask the per-
mission of the council to install four
S0O0-gallon oil tanks in a lot he had
leased at Fillmore and Taylor streets,
below Fifth.
He appeared at the committee of
the whole natty and niftily attired,
with silken-topped shoes and hand
some Kelley" and an aroma of sweet
perfume clouding his immediate vicin-
ity. He was introduced by Raymond
Marsh. assistant secretary of the Com
mercial club.
His proposition had been laid over
until last night In the meantime the
mayor was informed by friend that
he had heard of his efforts to get per,
mission from the officials of Daven-
port
4 have been trying for two weeks,
| the informant said he had said, to
put it over with this Davenport city
! council But they send me to the levee
commission. | guess it's for the split
up of the graft
cunningham appeared last night
| unmindful that the council had learn
ed of his remarks. When the alder
men, in the regular course of busi
ness. were ready to take up his re-
quest, he was asked by the mayor to
come forward and state his PROPOSE
ton. He told them briefly what he
wanted
Were you in Rock Island Monday
the mayor asked
" 1 would not care to commit myself
on that said Cunningham.
"'Well, I'll ask you this the mayor
insisted. Weren't you on Bridge
line car with a man from Rochester,
\. Y. Monday noon going to Rock Is
land and at the time didn't you make
the charge that the city council OF
Davenport was constituted of a bunch
of grafters, or words in substance?'
cunningham was silent. He was
taken off his feet by the sudden ess OF
the charge.
"I didn't say it about you he fin
ally answered. I said you had sent me
to the levee commission and that was
graft
"'Do you know the members of the
levee commission-ever had any per.
sonal dealings with them? the mayor
asked.
No admitted Cunningham.
The MayOr's Reprimand,
We'll, it seems to me that it shows
mighty poor grace for a stranger tt
come in here and charge any city Of
fetal with graft when he does no
know what he is talking about and es
pecially when he is seeking favors O
the city, the mayor said I have beer
associated with the officials of Daven
T. port for several years and l can in
= form you myself that there are M
grafters among them and that the.
serve the people honestly and to tn,
best of their knowledge
Alderman William Gosch, to whom
the petition of Cunningham had beel
referred, made adverse report to tn
/ IHottCi upOi hCdi ing vi IllC Cndi ho.
Mr.. Mayor, if this man is charged
l with these statements the committe
: has an adverse report to make unit
an investigation is made and he Ca,
be given an opportunity to prove hi
charge said Alderman Gosch. w
can't entertain any such thing as that
l l believe every alderman here has al
: ways acted for the interests of the cit
and in the best Of faith to his ow
personal knowledge and belief and
am sure the levee commission has ais
Q done the same
Wouldn't it be possible to file
. charge again a man making such
slanderous statement asked Alder
man Waterman with smile Why nc
make charge of disturbing the peac
or some such thing out of this?'
a "A laugh went around the counc
room in answer to this while Cunning
ham remained at his place at tn
clerks desk.
well, 7 don't think that would /
y y possible because the remark was mad
d on the bridge and that is out of ii
10 Jurisdiction of the Davenport polio
10 magistrate, the mayor answered.
what do you want to do with tn