Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-03-28
Among Ourselves.

the good resolutions that been adopted in Rock
Island could be moulded into one grand effort, the
city would long ago have purged itself of its niqui-
ties would be close approach to spotess town, and
would be commercially and industriaIy ideal well
as in all respects of the finest places beneath
the stars, for mans abode. But Rock Islands good
intentions have not been realized. There has been
too much resolving, NJ. H Sexton said at Tues
day nights Chamber of Commerce meeting, and not
enough action. Times almost out of number meet
ings have been held with the best intents; there
have been ringing addresses this subject, and
that and finally resolutions long as the moral
law and the ten commandments have been adopted,
and then everybody has gone home thoroughly sat
isfed with himself a city builder extraordinary
But when it came to execution, especially if the
task developed serious angle, proved
pleasant a vexatious or more particularly II
it occasfoned some i'll feeling in the community, then
the movers and supporters of the motion were sud
denly called away to the for the season, or
there were pressing business engagements out of
town, or there was too much to do at home just
then and not enough cyclone cellars in town to
cover the retreat of the other well meaning citizens
when the storm broke. The institution in the
town that was left holding the bag the news
paper that took men for what they appeared to be
worth, but found it poor bargain.
The Rock Island Chamber of Commerce did
less and certainly than its duty tE calling
q meeting of its membership Tuesday night, through
its board directors, to discuss and act upon the
gravity of the moral situation far as it involves
Rock Island arsenal The Chamber of Commerce
did less than its duty in adopting suitable and
well prepared resolutions looking to the permanent
cleaning up Rock Island, and the presentation OF
sufficient proof the federal and state governments
that Rock Island is capable of redemption within
itself.
But some more resolutions! This time with
promise Of action stern real action, come what may
The committee designated to carry out the sense
of the resolutions called upon The Argus yesterday,
to ascertain if the papers unqualified cooperation
, could be relied upon. The committee assured
that it could have the support of The Argus all
the way to the first line trenches and to the last
ditch and all that asked in return, was that
the committee stay the job, and not to get shy
at any stage of the proceedings
1t was well understood, OF course that the
is all that purports be- and is believed to be.
having for its object permanent awakening to
the evils that have wrought peril and msunderstand-
ing as to Rock Islands worth and standing. 1t was
understood-and without any disrespect for, or
reflection upon influences seeking to rid the city of
liquor traffic in its entirety-that what has
oct of the Chamber of Commerce activities is
part of local option propaganda. This phase of the
situation will disappear five days whether the
town CONTINUES wet or goes dry, and of those in
yoIyed on either sid will
his favorte phantom" Hence it is that what is to be
done must be of a durable nature, unmxed with is
sues of a temporary character
What Rock Island needs is law, and the force
Of law regardless of what there is to contend with
Not in these many years. has Rock Island known
that there is such thing as law. in dealing either
with the liquor traffic with vice. 1t remained for
federal mandate bring the lesson that there is
such a thing a rule, that there is such thing
as enforcement. Long live the federal mandate.
The order we obeying emanates from the
seat Of national government. 1t a war measure,
and he who would hesitate yield promptly and
cheerfully to the nations edict under such crcum-
stances is unworthy of part in the citizenship Of
this great republic. And yet the government is not
arbitrary in its 1t to Rock island ana
says you have got bad name; cooperate with US
In cleaning It so that may continue to be good
neighbors" And that is all that it asks-co-opera-
ton. not for day two, a week or two. even
for the period of the war, but for all time.
The Chamber OF Commerce representative Of 1,a08
Of the citizenship Rock Island coming from every
walk of life in the city, has given its pledge and
promise 10 render the cooperation that the govern
ment asks. Had the Chamber failed to thus record
ITSELF It might well have forfeited its charter and
declared life failure far fits sphere of use
euliess is concerned.
The Argus has been liberal in its attitude to- |
ward the liquor traffic, but never toward vice. Its