The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-06-14
DOUBT THROWN
ON FUND VOTED
TO SANATORIUM
Recent Decision Said to Prohibit
Use Of 100000 for Erection
of Building.


Taxes to the amount of $50, 900
voted by Rock Island county in No
yember, 1920, for a tuberculosis
sanatorium may never be devoted
10 that purpose If recent decision
by the state supreme court is in
terpreted to mean that the money
now lying in the county treasury
can not be so applied.
The case on which the question
hinges is that of the People VS.. the
Illinois Central road, cited by Su-
pervisor ID. A. Bailey, Moline, who
at the meeting of the county board
Yesterday afternoon introduced a
resolution that las it appeared the
money voted for tuberculosis
sanatorium could not be used for
that purpose, the judiciary COM
mittee confer with the states at
torney in regard to disposition of
the fund" and report at the pres
ent session.
Supervisor W. F. Bradley depre-
Gated the idea of using the 800, 900
for any other purpose than that for
which the money was voted, saying
that 100000 spent now in the fight
against tuberculosis would mean
more in the attack against the dis
ease than 100000 spent 20 years
hence. Mr.. Bailey said there was
no intention to divert the money,
but that if it could not be used for
a sanatorium, the judiciary COM
mittee would like to be informed
by competent legal authority for
what purpose the money could be
expended.
Explanation was made that word
had first reached the judiciary com
mittee that the law authorizing
counties to issue taxes for such
purposes had been pronounced un-
constitutional.
Pursuant to inquiries made, the
committee, said Mr.. Bailey, had
ascertained that in Macon county
the Illinois Central road had re-
fused to pay taxes for a tubercu-
losis sanatorium and that its con-
tention had been sustained
Tax Withheld Here.
Deputy Clerk c. n. Isaacson in
formed the board that the Burling-
ton road and the Davenport, Rock
Island and Northwestern railroad
had refused to pay the tax in this
county.
1T would be the humane thing"
said Mr.. Bradley. for the board TO
leave the fund intact even if il has
right to divert it to other pur-
poses.''
Mr.. Bailey's resolution prevailed,
and the present session will re-
ceive more definite information
through the states attorney.
z. Z. Schafer, Port Byron, secre-
tary of the county fair board, re-
quested an appropriation for the
county fair. H. E. Spitznas, high
way commissioner of South Rock
Island township, requested that the
county pay 5000, half the expense
for the construction of a bridge
across the highway leading from
Watch Tower TO the Velie farm.
Supervisor F. Oscar Youngren,
Moline, informed the board that the
Memorial hall in the court house
was being used by unauthorized
parties, who put the county to
much expense for gas bills, Uttered
the room with the material left
from luncheons, and at times dis
jury with noise. He wanted the old
soldiers to use the hall at any time,
he said, but he was opposed to its
use by others who abused their
privileges.
Supervisor J. ]. Burgess, Rock
Island, thought that the expenses
OF the committee in charge OF pa
trolls operating on state aid roads
ought 10 be taken out of the tax of
Is cents upon the 500 valuation
spread for maintenance of state aid
roads, and not out of the general
fund, claiming that hundreds of
dollars monthly would thus be
saved. He said the Burlington road
officials had informed him that the
company would pay its share of the
tax, amounting to 81 $50.
The board passed a. resolution Of
fered by o. Z. Child, chairman of
the finance committee, fixing Az
per cent interest upon the $1,000,
700 bonds for construction of
roads. The contract made by the
finance committee with William R.
Compton and company, the Nation
al City company, and Halsey, Stu
HAaN NOAAAPe AlIuNl " ANCA o.
was presented and approved.
Ring" Fight Passed.
The board continued its execu-
tive session yesterday afternoon
when the supervisors convened at
o'clock and again conferred with
representatives of the grand jury
On measures to be takeE for the
prosecution of offenders against
the laws.
The board rose as a committee
OF the whole at $3.50 and proceeded
with the regular business of the
county. One supervisor in COM
menting upon the secret session
said, we haven't enough money in
the county treasury to pay the eX-
penses OF the present session; how
lAen can we make an appropria-
non for the prosecution of boot
leggers?"
---------------