Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-04-03
POSTPONE MEET
AS CANDIDATES
OPPOSE OBJECT
Members of Board of Directors De,
Lay Holding of Big Public Gath
ering at Temple.
BENDER ISSUES STATEMENT
Says Office 4spirants Seem to Fear
Being Brought Before Body
OF Citizen Voters.

The public meeting scheduled to
take place at the Masonic Temple
tonight has been postponed
It is stated that the board of di-
rectors of the Chamber of Com
merce ordered the meeting postpon-
ed when it was learned that some
Of the candidates were unwilling to
enter into an open discussion of
their standing on matters OF public
pollcy ana interest
IN the abSence of President G. A.
HalIgren, Secretary +. W. Bender
on being interviewed on the ques-
ton OF postpOnement stated:
II Is evident that some of the
political candidates have misunder-
stood the purpose of meeting, and
Intentionally or otherwise have mis-
construed the objects to be gained
IS Being detrimental to their inter
; SIS and have for that reason OPP
posed it and have expressed them
selves as unwilling to attend such
c meeting.
call the attention of the public
70 the fact that it was openly stated
That the meeting was to be a pup
lie meeting held under tie auspices
OF the Chamber of Commerce and
was in no sense a Chamber of Com
merce meeting. The meeting was IN
spiTed purely from the belief that
the public had a right to ask po-
htical candidates to come before
them and review the platforms on
which they stood, and further to
place themselves in position
where they might be asked ques-
tions as to the various charges
which are being made about them at
this time. This seems to be the
point on which some of them have
taken exception. They seem to fear
being brought before a public body
and giving that public body an OPP
Fortunity to question them about
the things they stand for and the
allgnments they have made.
Quotes Letter.
AS matter of public informa-
ton. I quote below the letter which
went out to all candidates inviting
them to attend this meeting:
Mr.. Harry NJ Schriver, Rock
Island, Ill Dear Mr.. Schriver:
THE Chamber of Commerce IS
Standing sponsor for a public meet
ing which will be held at the Ma
sonic temple on Thursday evening
Of this week at p. m.
The meeting is in the interest
of candidates who are seeking Of
Zee, and an opportunity will be
given our candidates to openly and
frankly state their standing on mat
tiers Of public interest and public
policy.
An invitation is hereby extend
ed to you to come to the meeting on
Thursday evening and express your
views on these matters. 1t will be
appreciated if you will communicate
to the writer either by telephone or
letter announcing your intentions
Very truly. yours, Chamber of Com
merce, F. w Bender, Secretary
"As a matter of further public in
formation it should be understood
that the Chamber of Commerce
cannot, as stated by one of the po-
htical candidates in an article
which appeared in the papers of
Wednesday evening, align itself
with any political party or with any
persons seeking political office. The
bylaws of the organization abso-
lutely prohibit any identity with
political candidates or in partisan
politics and from the very begin.
ming it has strictly adhered to this
principle.
Before Election.
However, while it cannot inter