Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-03-27

aperate with the. federal and
state governments In making
Rock Island worthy OF the
name OF its namesake arsenal.
One hundred and twenty-five
members Of the Rock Island Cham
her Of Commerce last night took
steps to launch a crusade against
vice and disorder and to retrieve
Pock Islands good name before the
world.
A resolution was passed
pledging the citizens to assist
in war department regulations
and calling on local officials to
eradicate vice conditions COM
planned or
A committee of five was ap-
pointed to cooperate with fed
eraI authorities for the sup
pression Of vice and drunken
ness
An ultimatum was delivered
to the city administration to
wake up or We will put in
another"
The ears of the city's law and
order admin stration must have
burned for they came in for a share
Of eensure for alleged negligence
in failing 10 clean up before gov
eminent Intervention and for ap
parent disregard OF the arrival of
the federal authorities by not hay-
ing offered them cooperation,
There was no representative of
the city administration present. At
the opening of the meeting infer
ences only were made but as these
continued the speakers were en-
Outraged to more open attacks un-
Ill the session closed in a loud DEM
onstration Of applause for the ulti-
matum directed at the city hall.
After repeated differences and
charges had been heard and when
the meeting had reached its waning
stage, Mr.. Sexton rose.
During the time l have been sit
ting here" he said. Il had thought l
would not say anything. but there
are some questions l want TO ask.
The inference has been left here
by these discussions that the city
administration has done nothing
and has not offered cooperation in
the work Of the federal officials. Is
that true?'
E. C. Knots. United States dis
trict attorney, who had been one
Of the speakers. replied
Speaking only for my office. ]
will say that during the time !
have been here the city officials
have not called upon me nor have
they offered me any assistance, ,
the attorney said.
Same Old StOryl
Mr. Sexton jumped to his feet
again.
Il have been through hundreds Of
meetings in Rock Island OF just ex-
actly this kind, he said, where
resolutions were passed anC
pledges made. and what have yOl
done afterward2 Gone home anC
went TO sleep. Is that what we art
going TO dc this time?'
There were cries of No. MOI"
Then I ray that if this city ad
ministratiOn doesn't wake up. let Il:
pat one i that will"
The answer came III 40 uncer
tain terms. 7 here was a demon
stration lasting for several min
utes in which hoe was applaUs,
and shouts Of approval as well a
me stamping 0 feet. Mr. Knots
arose and while the applause ant
cries still rang il the air. he called
for the men TO stand and sins
America"
Resolution Presented.
[. A. Hallgren, president of thu
Nhamber Of Commerce, presiding
al the meeting. which was held il
Ile banquet hall on the third fiool
Of the Rock Island club
The session mad not progressed
iong before resolutions were offered
piedging the support of the citizen:
o. the city and calling upon Ioca
encials 70 act to suppress vice il
ROCK Island. The resolutions were
presented by c. J. Searle. who il
support Of them, stated that the ID
lectcrs Of the Chamber Of Com
MERGE felt that it is up TO the citi
city.
We feel that the majority
o. the people have felt ashamed
slat We are heralded as law
breaking, law-defying city. especial
IL a time like this | have of
cred these pledges in the hope tina
may accomplish something. no
merely the perfun Glory adoption o
.9eS resolutions. but that the par
u the community represented by
ulls body push 10 the limit a clean
ap OF Rock Island"
Inc resolution was unanimously
e4opted. II provided for the ap
yoihtment Of a committee of five
--enoeTs Of the Chamber of Com
-sfce on law enforcement, with di
. ~, and authority 10 cooperate
wa federal officials. Mr.. Hall
Hea appointed II. H. CIeaveland
:. j. Searle. J. VI. Welch. PROBES
~ Andrew Kempe and T. 3
Aiter the committee had been ap
sss9 1ed. q resolution was offeref
"a the board OF directors Of the
eaainoer Of Commerce appropriate
scn funds from the organization
are necessary for the law en-
- teinent committee to carry ou'
- work. This resolution was also
unanimously passed.
Text Of Resolution.
~, me original resolution is ap-
whereas the federal departments
y war and Justice, after special in
'esugation by those departments
~ he commandant OF the arse