The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-02-26

lffheds 70 create . revival Of
1ta1 interest Tor Rock Island were
1iscSesed q The joint meeting Of
hoal b Of directofs Of the Cham
~ 81 Commerce and Business
1Gen!4 association last night With
such degree Of frankness that not
! few were startled BY the force OF
the arguments. It was near mid
nighE before the session ended. Az
i result. It ID believed that : bet
ter understanding Of cooperation
BETWEEN the mercantile interests
! and the Chamber OF Commerce has
been effected. It IL anticipated
that sif suggestions are followed
through, the city will enjoy mark
ed t1ade expansion.
An important feature Of the
meeting was the attendance. Prac-
ticaliy the entire membership Of
the two boards was present. This
in itself is unusual c0nsider1ne
previous meetings that were held
for he purpose Of stimulating in.
terest along the lines discussed
last night. Last nights meeting
was the forerunner Of a series
planned for the future.
]. J. Burgess, president OF tht
Chamber Of Commerce, presided
His remarks were caustic and te
the point He charged the mer'
chants with the responsibility o.
jumping into the thick Of the com
petition with other trade in thu
community in order to bring Il
Rock Island what rightly belongs
to It. Criticism Of those who taxi
their money to other centers o
trade to spend 1t will not do. HI
declared. The buyer must be i'm
pressed with the fact that his hom'
town car match him dollar for dol
lar with what any other city ha
to offer.
Talk Road Oiling.
The road oiling program was dis
cussed at length but 1t was Eel
that the merchants and the farm
ers should not be called upon I
put the roads into proper condl
ton for travel at all seasons @
the year. Opinion that some cor
certed effort should be made I
have the county provide the fund
for this purpose prevailed. 1t wa
agreed that the program as cpr
templated for this year should B
followed and then endeavor mad
to have the county keep the road
in proper condition either throug
special taxation or bond issue. tn
plan calls for oiling of approxin
ately 60 miles Of road.
The formation Of the automObi
club being sponsored by the men
beers Of the chamber was hearth
endorsed as an adjunct to carr,
ing out the road improvement pr
gram.
The matter Of collective and C
operative advertising on the pa
Of all the merchants was also go
into and the matter has been Il
to the trade and commerce bure
Of the chamber to work out in co
junction with the Business Mel
association.
Large Trade Area.
In the trading radius Of Ro
Island it was pointed cut that the
are more than 500 square miles
territory embracing . populati
of approximately $4,000 rural re
dents WHO should be served by
Rock Island mercantile intere.
The vast bulk OF this business
now going to other trading cent
on account Of the deplorable cor
tions of Rock Island county hi
ways, 1t was declared. Plans ,
- be worked out to systematics
reach this class Of trade.
~ The agricultural bureau Of
chamber announced that it '
contemplating converting the pl
ent rooms Of the chamber int
community rest room for the be
fit of the rural visitors. 1t VIC
be their headquarters while sh
ping in Rock Island. Publicity
this effect will be given as soon
all arrangements are conclude.
The subject Of camping gro
for auto tourists passing thro
the city was also considered,
where the logical point for
camp would be was not detern
ed.
Various retail matters were
cussed in detail, such as hotel
commodations, addition Of I
lines OF merchandise, general I
ing up Of departments, etc.
Remarks were made by LIZ
Kohn, J. l.. Vernon, C. A. Beers
F. Sala, John A. Weishar, Will
Bartz, J. B. Eckhart, H. A. Cley
slime, William H. Schillinger
& George H. Kingsbury.