Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-04-24

vided During the course of his re-
marks he said while before the war
the people of this country became
slack in their patriotism, they now
have decent appreciation of what
a soldier stands for.
W B. Mcintyre voiced his pleas
ure in being able to add to the wei
come to Colonel Hillman and de-
clared that history had shown that
it required bloodshed to attain the
worlds great bettermenjs. He
stated that out of this baptism of
blood would come a worlds democ-
racy.
Club Houses for Men.
l. s White brought up the sub
jet of club houses for men, needed,
he declared, as means of providing
pastime for them. because the exit
of the saloon will mean that many
will have no place to gather and
meet their fellowmen.
Captain Gilbert. one OF the five
officers of Colonel Hillman's staff
which accompanied the command
ant. brought out the point that Dav-
export has more than its share of
the men working at the arsenal
He said the need IS not so much for
housing of single men, but for those
with families.
DR.. C. A Andreen. president of
Augustana college, said that there
is inspiration in the view of Rock
Island arsenal from the college hill,
but that the inspiration was not
only in the view of the island but
what il stands for
Captain W. A. Rosenfeld assured
his auditors that when President
Wilson calls him into service over
seas, he fully expects the kaiser TO
climb the nearest tree.
Colonel c. L. Walker, United
States commissioner, gave some in
formation concerning what the
committee is doing with relation to
providing relaxation for arsenal
men.
Captain Van Bever, who was in
Germany the day war was declar
ed, commented upon the spirit of
Rock Island, and suggested in line
with the recreation plan for men
/ that Rock Island would raise a
fund of $4,000 to purchase musical
instruments, and that Rock Is
/ land arsenal band, composed of
men working at the arsenal. be its
members He suggested that Mo
line workmen at the arsenal might
form a glee club. He said that the
men, feeling that the organizations
are theirs, would show an interest
in them through concerts arranged,
/ that would help in affOrding them
relaxation.
Frank NIixter outlined in some
detail plans upon which the com
mittee is working on the recrea-
ton plan. He SAID that the body
had drifted in its idea from the
large single club house to communi-
~ club houses. He said that it is
thought that a number of smaller
club houses would be more avail
able to the men.
NJ A. Sexton declared that Colo
mel Hillman struck the true key in
the situation in saying that the city
that shows the greatest interest in
the arsenal will get the greatest
profit from it. Mr. Sexton said that
the only way Rock Island can get
its share of the arsenal men is TO
go after it.
Leans on Homes.
H S. Cable declared that it has
been the policy of the banks of
Rock Island to extend credit more
readily to persons building new
homes than TO loan on Old
Father c. p. O'Neill declared it is
a mighty fine thing to know that
the commandant of the arsenal
gives Rock Island the amount of
consideration he does. Father
O'Neill declared that some good ad-
vertising for the city should go
forth from here; that there has
been sufficient of the undesirable
kind
B. d. Connolly commented upon
the fact that his father, the late
Major H c. Connolly, was the last
of the committee from this city
which went to Washington in 1861
to help secure an appropriation for
the Rock Island arsenal Mr. Con-
nelly declared that it is Rock IS
+ lands duty to go after its share of
the workmen employed at the ar
senal
During the course of the evening
. H. ". Crawford led in the singing
/ of Keep the Home Fires Burn 'ng,"
Pack Up Your Troubles in Your
Kit" and America
Dinner was served at $50. Colo
mel HilIman's staff was composed
of Majors Messimer, Jackson and
Nichols and Captains Gilbert and
Van Paver