The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-12-31
MANY 'HIKERS'
CROSS BRIDGE
FEW RIDE CARS
Pedestrian Figures jump Over
Quarter Million; Accidents Re-
markedly Few.

Vehicle trafice over the Rock Isl
land bridge increased by more than
a million this year and the pedes-
trian traffic increased by more than
ESQ 900.
In 1921, 3,74S.530 vehicles crossed .
the bridges and the year previous
only 2,502. 631 passed. The num-
Der of people crossing the bridge on
foot in 1920 was 657 .S92, while 955,-I
Ice "hoofed it" this year.
In 1920 the number of people
/ walking the bridge was much lower
than in 1919. It was believed the
cause at that time was the increase
in the number of autos in the tri-
cities. but this year. the vehicle
traffic took a decided jump as we'll,
along with pedestrians
Steamboats, passing through the
draw increased from 1875 in 1920 to
1892. The barge traffic up ana
down the river. however, fell short
of the previous year by two barges-
In 1921 7SS barges passed and IN
1920. 700. The river has not yet
closed but the ferry and other traf--
fic terminated on Dec. Il. In 1920
it closed on Dec is.
Statistics are gathered every
eighth day by the guard on the
Davenport end of the bridge. This
is his only duty for that day and
from his observations figures for
the year are computed.
Rail Traffic Decreases.
The Rock Island railroad and
street car service over the bridges
decreased considerably In 1920,
31,792 passenger and freight trains.
| passed. but in 1921 the count was
lowered to 1892 and the numbed
of cars, of which these trains were
composed. decreased from 562,75
to 557 1896. The figures for thif
year show that only 120,042 bridgf
cars, including both Bridge line and
arsenal cars. crossed the river as
compared with 135,4SS in 1920.
The figures also show that IS perV
cent of the vehicles which passed \
over the bridge were motor drawn
and per cent were horse drawn.
Interesting comments were made
by F. Z. Robbins, superintendent
of the bridges and police, relative
to the increase and decrease in the
traffic.
THE increase in pedestrian trat-
fic was probably occasioned by the
working conditions Many walked
because of the shortage Of money
and with plenty of time chose to
cross the river in this way. Few.
er street cars were needed to con-
vey passengers because of the
peace-time schedule at Rock Is
land arsenal With the continual
layoffs the demand for cars was
diminished. The railroad train
travel was lessened because OF the
higher shipping and passenger
rates on all roads" he said.
I'm giving an example, the Ve3
hicle traffic for one day, Aug 10,
was 21,557, and there was no spe-
cial occasion to swell the number.
During the month of October. the
Rock Island lines hauled 50,093
cars across the bridge This was
the record month for the passage /
of cars since the bridge has been
here" remarked Mr.. Robbins. 4
Accidents at Minimum
with the great amount of tTaf-
fic over the bridge" he said, mo
accidents of any seriousness have
happened beyond occasional ram-t
ming when the line halts. We have
been decidedly fortunate in this
way.
THE railroad traffic has been
good with the exception Of two
freight cars wrecked on the draw
span on the bridge Dec. %, 1920. /
This was occasioned by a set OF
trucks under a refrigerator car
leaving the rails at Gaines
street, Davenport, and bowling
along the rails until they reached
the center of the draw span, where (
the derailed trucks twisted around
and wrecked completely two re-
/ frigerator cars loaded with pork
/ chops"
/ MIR. Robbins has been on Rock /
Island bridge Al years and in con-
Guiding the annual report said that
the traffic seems to be on the in I
crease each year. It requires a
force of 81 men including Mr.. Rob
bins. TO take care of the bridge.
. There are three guards at each end f.
( OF the bridge, three at the YiaducL
/ three draw tenders, three operators, ;
( three at the main gates, a bridge
sweeper and az extra man to re-
lieye the different members of the
force.