Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-12-03
THE ROCK ISLAND CROSSING

ne hOLk lSLANO NNOoo'No
The placing of the crossing for the
local street car company over tho
/ Rock Island tracks on Columbus street
and the resumption of traffic over the
/ entire so-called West Side line, which
was begun again yesterday after an
, interval of over a year, may be put
down as a distinct triumph for Mayor
George V. b. Weeks. Trne he was
!, NEST ably assisted and encouraged by
the North Side residents who had
been deprived of their rights under
the franchise of the street car com
pany, and by some residents of the
West Side, but it is safe to say that
without the energy and leadership of
. George v b. Weeks their efforts
would have been discouraged. their
zeal worn out and the whole matter
crowded into the discard. There Is
no question but the local company
could have forced the installation of
the cscssing, but the operation OF
that portion of the line was not Il
paying proposition except on special
occasions, like. the races, the county
fair etc, and they We're not over
anxious to have the connection OF
their tracks made, and took but little
interest The franchise called for
the operation of that portion of the
line, but they were "tickled to death ;
with an excuse not to operate it and
did abandon 1t until compelled by thu
people, again headed by Weeks, t.
render a kind of service.
The fight on the railroads for the
rights of the people elected Weeks
mayor of Ottawa. Before this fight
was begun he was little in the pub
lie eye, he attended strictly to his
own private business and had some
standing as a member of the bar, but
he was probably one CT the last men
in Ottawa who would have been
the city's chief executive. His Ell.
forts in behalf of his portion of the
city however. demonstrated that he
mad whole lot more nerve and STAN.
Ina than many had given him credit
Ter, and possessed determination
TO get things done. His neighbors In.
sisted that he enter the race, and the
vote of the people showed that they
believed he would fight for Ottawa AS
he had for the North Side. He was
elected mayor of Ottawa over good
man and against the efforts of as
mean a combination OF politicians as
/. any man would care to face--against
Z an element who openly said, Let him
( De nominated and we will cruelty him
/. at the election 1t is but fair to his
opponent to say that he made no such
boast and that that portion of the
n night was private matter and ION the
. side from his campaign
II Is this side issue who don't care
TO see Mayor Weeks administ ration
u marked success and who are emit
i. ting nasty little filings" from time TO
& slime against him and his alministra
/ Ton through their chosen organ. But
P'he mayor and the council are going
/. to make good. They have made some
II breaks and will make some more. bu.
@Wlth anything like fair shake the
administration win do much for o.
lava. they need and deserve the alta
= ANA encouragement of every decent
: resident OF the city, Irrespective Of
tpoltlcs. With the city's revenues cur
NdoWn by the adjustment of the sa
blooms and the increased expenses in
nevery department they have Job on
sSheir hands-a mans job. Criticism
Vol the mayor or OF any department Is
Megitimate If it is just. but the hal.
concealed, dirty little filings and BELT.
cling OF good work accomplished Is
rs%ithin the range only OF those who
care more for private grievances than
1hey do for the good of Ottawa and
hre worthy only of Themselves ana
N heir chosen orgaa.