Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-20
GROWTH OF STATE
In 100 YEARS TOLD
IN THE BLUE BOOK

Springfield. H.. Dec. 2o.-The de-
veiopment of Illinois in 100 years of
statehood is treated In detail by off,
Gals and other prominently identified
with the states activities, in the
lsl7-1s blue book, which IL being dis
triouted today by Secretary OF State
Louis L, Emmerson. The book, which
IL published biennially by the secre-
tary of state, is prepared this year
along new line, and in addition to
state government data, contains many
interesting articles.
There are a group OF articles de-
voted to the states centennial.
Mrs. Jessie Palmer Weber. secre-
tary OF the Illinois centennial COM
mission and librarian of the state his
torical library, tells of the plans for
the observance Of the centennial an
niVersary next year and recounts
briefly the history of the state.
Professor Eugene Davenport OF the
University Of Illinois discusses agri-
cultural progress; John NJ. Glenn, sec
rotary Of the Illinois Manufacturers
association, describes the industrial
growth of Illinois; John H. Walker,
president of the Illinois State Fedora
! ton of Labor, writes on the improve
ment In the condition of labor; A. l..
Bowen, superintendent of charities,
describes the advancement In tina
care Of dependents; Ralph Clarkson,
a member of the board Of art ad-
visors, discusses progress in art. and
| Martin Roche, chairman Of the board
Of art advisors, tells Of the advance
ment in architecture; Attorney Gem
eral Edward J. Brundage describes
the century's progress in statehood; ;
Superintendent Of Instruction Francis
! G. Blair treats briefly the development
and growth of the public schools, and
Hiram l.. Williamson, state superin-
tendent Of printing and secretary Of
the Illinois Press association, dis
cusses the growth of the Illinois press
in 100 years.
There Is also an article by H. W.
Ray Of DeKalb on the secretaries of
state of Illinois, illustrated with en-
! cravings OF most OF the former secre-
| taries.
An effort has been made in the book
also to present in a comprehensive
manner the work Of the 50th general
assembly centennial legislature
of Illinois.
Charles E. Woodward Of Ottawa,
who drafted the civil administrative
code, describes in a lucid manner the
purposes and operation of this i'm
portsnt legislation
George b. Gillespie Of Springfield
former assistant attorney general and
an authority on constitutional ques-
tons. has written an article on the
constitutional convention proposition
and the questions that are likely to
be prominent in a constitutional con-
vention should one be called. State
Senator Clarence f. Buck Of Mon
mouth, author OF the bill providing
for the regulation Of private banks
explains its provisions.
s. E. Bradt, state superintendent Of
highways, explains in considerable de.
tail the plan for the construction OF
the state highway system under the
proposed S60,000,00 bond issue
Miss Annie Hinrichsen, executive
!
explains the new jail and almshouse
laws, which end the contract system
Of almshouse management and the fee
system of feeding persons in Jail.
, There is also an article describing
briefly all Of the important legisla,
ton Of the last general assembly. Thii
: is illustrated with pictures Of thu
- speaker Of the house. the presiden
! protein Of the senate in session, tht
, Republican and Democratic steering
e committees and of the members Of tn,
legislature. Following 1t Is a com
j prehensive digest Of appropriation
! and of all the bills passed during tn
. session.
Adjutant General Frank S. Dickson
= describes the new state militia AM
e voluntary training corps plan ant
y gives a review Of the history Of tn
e militia of the state Following thi
$ are tables showing the quota by coun
+ ties. cities and districts in the frs
= call under the federal CONSUMPTION an
Q list of the district draft boards i
= the state.
: Among other features in the presen
[ blue book which have not been in
!, cIuded in former books are severa
pages Of statistics Of Illinois relatin
! to the state government, agriculture
{ industry education, etc, presented /
condensed and convenient form. TIL
) texts of the Republican and Demo
cratic platforms adopted at the las