Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-10-16
TWO FACTIONS
IN CLASH over
OBTAINING FUND
Scenic Route Boosters Pitted
Against Rock River Valley
Before State Officers.

In four hours Of discussion, in
which interest focused on the is
sues involved IN the Scenic route
as against the Rock River Valley
route between Morrison and Moline
highway representatives and dele
gates from local points along the
routes thrashed out the question OF
roads No. 3 and Z, as specified in
the bond Issue law, this morning.
The meeting was called to order
at the Rock Island club at $50
by Frank 1. Bennett, state director
Of public works and buildings, who
announced the order of procedure,
after which S. F. Bradt, state high
way commissioner, took charge.
Groups wishing to have their par
ticular claims favored were repre-
sented by speakers, who we're allot-
ed Is minutes in which to present
their arguments
Discussion grew warm over the
question Of the road in its passage
through the upper end of Rock Is
land county. A. B. Johnson of East
Moline and c. J. Searle, Rock Is
land attorney, spoke favoring the
route along the Rock river valley,
from HillsdaIe to Moline, known as
the Rock River Valley route.
Frank Shafer Of Port Byron, pre-
scented the claims of his community
in asking that the road follow from
Hillsdale to Port Byron, and thence
along the Mississippi to East Mo-
line, known as the Scenic route.
o. z. Child. representing the
board of supervisors of Rock Is
land county, stated that the 81
members Of the board were unani-
nous on one point, that the county
desired as much of the road as
possible. He expressed the will
ingness Of the board to cooperate
with the commission, and the de-
sire for speed in a definite choice
of the route.
RumOrs UnfOunded.
He expressed assurance that ru-
mors to the effect that the road
was to be diverted from the upper
end of Rock Island county were
unfounded and stated that the COM
not be the case.
Mr.. Bradt replied that the com
mission did not blame the board of
supervisors for being Jealous in be-
half of the county, and he added:
Though we are slow down at
Springfield, We have had you in
mind, and you are going to get
relief as soon as we can give it
to you"
In making his plea for the
passage of the Moline-MOrrison
route along the Rock river valley.
Mr.. Johnson pointed out that the
proposed road. If it followed this
line, would best serve territory on
both sides of the county, that the
route was not hilly, as is the Port
Byron route, and that it would best
accommodate transcontinentaI trav-
ell He suggested as a further ad-
vantage, that the road would pass
within a mile Of the county fair
grounds. Applause followed his
address.
Not Representing Tourists.
Mr.. Shafer of Port Byron, re-
piled that he was representing, not
tourists crossing the country, but
the interests of the county. On
that ground, he urged the route
which passed through Port Byron,
since 1t would serve the great popu-
lation of the adjacent townships,
and would be convenient for the
obtaining of gravel which could be
landed from barges on the Missis-
sippi. He also stressed the scenic
beauty of the Mississippi river
route.
Levy Appropriations.
Attorney SearIe spoke Of appro-
priation for raising the entire route
above overflow and expressed the
conviction that the merits of this
route would win its preference by
the commission.
r. B. Lourie of the community
service committee of the Moline
club, arguing in favor
OF the Rock river route, asked for
those favoring the route to rise
4 majority stood up. Mr.. Shafer
then stated that he had made no
effort to obtain a delegation for
the route by way Of Port Byron.
One of the issues in the argu-
nent involvedsthe difference in dis
lance. Mr.. Shafer'R statement that
the Mississippi route was only
of a mile further was
questioned by Mr. Lourie.
The scenic beauty Of the Missis-
sippi route also played a part In
he discussion, and hills, bridges
and gravel facilities came in for
/ large share Of the argument
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