Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-05-17

"Oh, 1 have so many things to
do" said Mayor Schriver, chatting
with an Argus representative last
evening, that l scarcely know
where to begin. There is so much to
do, so much that ought to be done.
The paving must have our first at
tention. The asphalt must be repair
ed. We arestaking care of that nov.
To keep the streets SO improved,
constantly in good condition, we
have decided to put in a little plant
of our own. 1t is no reflection upon
this kind of material to say that it
must be continually watched. This
is the experience of all cities. 1T
must be gone over regularly. 1t re-
q Tres attention, but it is worth it.
hen there are other paving jobs
tLat must have immediate thought
the contracts that were let last
year, but suspended because of war
conditions. These must be taken up
and put through. And then there are
further extensions that must be
made-other streets to be paved.
There must be few improved cross
streets in the new territory, con-
couple of avenues at least, that
should be improved.
But first of all is the fire depart
ment and the police department.
The fire station at Ninth street and
Eighteenth avenue must be reopen
ed. l promised that before l was
elected mayor. Equally as important
is the providing of modern hook
and ladder truck Either the present
must be motorized, or an
entirely new one provided. One
thing or the other must be done
without delay. A large proportion of
the cost of rehabilitation and i'm
provement in the fire department
will be saved in the reduction of in
surance rates, which all the people
share
Then there is the police force.
Rock Island is shamefully lacking
in this respect | sometimes wonder
if the people realize how poorly
they are protected in this particular.
Rock Island has from 5000 to 10000
more population than when l was
mayor before. The police force
should consist of at least 80 men.
Even that is not one to a thousand
people, which is the average ratio III
most cities. Peoria has for example,
$4,000 people, and eighty policemen
In Chicago, the average is one pO-
liceman to 400 population. Rock Is
land must have bigger police force
and a metropolitan police force.
Further than this, there is the
bathing beach, to which | am giving
earnest attention. 1t means a big
thing for our people.
And we must continue to grow
until we take in all the
land east and south of the present
lines clear to Rock River.
With all these propositions and
problems in mind, there is the all
question of finance. We
need money to do things, but we are
going to accomplish all of them.
The people will come through with
their part, when the facts are in
diligently presented to them, and
this is what we propose to attempt
to do. The entire commission, am
happy to say, is working together in
a spirit of utmost harmony. which is
beautiful and inspiring. We are like
a happy family, and with such a
condition prevailing. there is no
reason why we should not &C
complish all that we set out to do, !
and eventually attain the full reali-
zation of all our aims and purposes
which will not only make Rock
Island a metropolitan city, but fit
place in which to dwell, and a
place to look upon.
We are even venturing to hope
for a new city hall before we get
through. We are for all the city
beautiful plans that the Chamber |
Of Commerce has in view. We are
for the new hotel, the new theatre, |
and all that contributes to a bigger,
and better city"
Mayor Schriver is working hard. !
but is not WE'LL He is still suffering
from the effects of the flu which at |
lacked him during the city cam /
paign. Il ought to go away and re- |
cuperate," he said last night "but |
here is so much to do now that |
10 not see how 1 can, at least until |
we get started. Then l may take a |
couple of weeks away for a little |
rest, before pitching into the i'm
nense undertakings we are map !
ping out"