Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-11-21
CHARGES FLY At
A BOARD SESSION
Accusations and Counter Accusations
Sprung When Marshal Gives
Up His Star.

Charges and counter charges few
at the meeting of the Silvis board Of
trustees last evening. IN connection
with the dismissal OF Fred ]. Ball as
village marshal, and consolidation of
the offices Of marshal and street COM
missioner. Mr. Ball declared again
that his dismissal is due TO opposi-
ton TO his activities in behalf of the
government, and that he has been
dealt with unfairly by the village adj
ministration.
Mr.. Ball did not resign, but he hass-
ed over his equipment Als official
stars were turned in attached to an
American flag. In closing his remarks
Mr.. Ball made an eloquent patriotic
talk, in the course Of which he de-
clared he had no apology to make on
his record, nor for his activity in sup
port Of the government.
+, 0. Hartline, president of the
board, defended his action and the i'm
putation that he had been inspired be-
cause OF an unpatriotic attitude. He
denied any personal motives IN dis
missing Mr.. Ball. He said the mar
shall had been guilty of misconduct and
that the administration had been very
considerate with the marshal He
said the marshal had frequented Eas
/ Moline saloons, and had been intoxi
Gated while on duty. He said that Mr.
| Ball had allowed gambling and boot
! Logging to go on in the village withou
any particular effort to stop these of
lenses. He has not, the village presi
dent charged. enforced the law, no.
has he observed it himself.
! Discussing the charge that appre
hension of sIackers had influenced tn,
members of the administration witt
reference to Mr.. Ball, Mr.. Hartlin
said that this had been manufacturer
out Of an innocent incident An al
legged Stacker, he said, was arrested OF
a Friday and locked in the Jail. Tn
man was still in jail on Saturday, an
there on Sunday. He then inquired
he said, of Mr.. Ball. as to who wa
paying for the mans keep, and HOY
long the marshal expected to keep tn
man. He said his inquiry wa
, prompted by proper motives. This in
quiry, he says, was the only basis 10
, Mr.. Balls insinuations with referenc
to slackers. He declared he holds n
. malice toward Mr.. Ball. He outline
the condition of village finances, an
said the consolidation of the Office
, was solely for the purpose of curbin
expenses. Henry Blanks, street con
missioner, was chosen to fill the con
bined offices. he said, solely on tn
basis Of the comparative qualification
> / Of the two officials. Mr.. Ball, he sal
has been hiding behind his office.
Mr. BANKS defended his patriotisl
and declared that he is loyal cit
zen. and that he is ready to discharg
the duties of his office to the limit {
/ his ability He declared he adhere
to principles of unionism, and that /
would not make an effort deliberate
to supercede Mr.. Ball in Office for pc
sonal motives.
Trustee B. l. Falkner also defende
the patriotism of the trustees of IL
village. The fact that all Of the boar
+ members worked till l in the mornfr
on one occasion in an effort to Apr
bend an alleged Stacker, he sal
should be convincing indication TIL
the trustees have no objection to el
+ forcement of the federal law in TIL
9 respect.
a Vote Of the board declared the O
= fee of marshal vacant. and then NJ
a Blanks was formally named marsha
: The board directed that an ordinan
. be prepared consolidating the offic
= of marshal and street commissions
= Team Used Improperly.
! Trustee Frank Hall brough to lig
:, another charge, when he called ate
= ton of the trustees to what he term
p" use of the village team for person
;, ends. He said he had been inform
u that the team recently had been US
- for hauling kindling, after night, for
E private citizen. Mr.. Hartline ask
,. why complaint was not made at ont
!, and Mr.. Hall explained that he h
d himself learned of the matter only at
q o'clock yesterday afternoon. N
e Hartline pledged that there would
II no further cause for complaint alol
e. THAI line, and he said he would ma
o. an investigation.
Se Routine matters were given consl
lie Grafton. The anticipation of ella
lie of some sort between Mr.. Ball and t
% members served to attract /
crowd, and the board room was pack
to overlooking when the meeting "
called to order It was one Of t
g most dramatic sessions ever held by t
IL governing body OF SilVis.