The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-12-30
LOOKING AHEAD IN ROCK
ISLAND.

ISLAND.
II is not necessary here to detail the events
In Rock Island during the year nearing its
close Suffice is it to say that the city has pro-
crossed despite It's handicaps, the more serious
OF which have been removed as result OF
concerted uprising Of the people against intol-
cradle conditions that were heading the city
toward certain retrogression. The pendulum
is swinging in the opposite direction today In
Rock Island, and time will establish the wis
dom OF the warfare that has been carried on
against entrenched elements whose activities
were ID diametrical opposition to the welfare
Of the community and its loyal and unselhsh
The Argus this evening prints an edition OF
IS pages TO chronicle the history OF Rock Is
land, ito achievements and its failures. its sor-
rows and its joys. during the year. The past
Is history with which you are familiar. What
is Of greater concern to you as citizen 10
what is in store for Rock Island in the year
now beginning. The Argus, in playing its
part in relieving the community Of its civic
lodestones, has repeatedly made the assertion
that Rock Islands progress has been halted rs
years
themselves to the community through political
conspiracy with local governing powers, both
administrative and judicial. The Argus now
ventures the assertion that Rock Island has
been advanced rs years in optimism and faith
ON the part Of its building citizenship by the
suppression Of these same influences.
There is a different feeling growing over
the city that you must have recognized 1t Is
both significant and prophetic. Men with re-
sources who had grown discouraged over the
prospects for Rock Island have experienced
a changed attitude and viewpoint. and they
stand ready to demonstrate their faith in the
future of their home city by doing things that
they have heretofore refrained from initiating
because of hesitancy borne of lost confidence
in the power of the people to extricate them
selves from the rut into which they had al
lowed their community to fall because of the
seeming unbreakable domination of the dis
couraang influences referred to-
new era is dawning for Rock Island. Law
and order have been reestablished, not with
out sacrifices that have left heartaches in their
trail, but time will establish that the sacri-
fees were not in vain Rock Island today can
world with the boast that it is one of the
cleanest and safest cities Of its size in the ma
ton, whereas one year ago today it was a
standing joke In the outside world as a COM
munity whose chief attraction was wide
open and unbridled underworld; city that
afforded field and home for any form Of
criminal trafficking just SO long as the con-
cessionaire was willing and able to meet the
financial levies Of the powers that controlled
lawless activities in the city. You need not
now be ashamed to tell your friends in other
cities about Rock Island. You can tell them
Of its developing business district, its beauti-
full homes. its fine schools, its magnificent
churches its beautiful parks, its busy factories,
its splendid theatres, its handsome public
buildings, its busy stores, and best Of all.
OF its prosperous and contented and hopeful
people.
Rock Island is preparing to step forward
in the coming year. You have been told OF
various new enterprises, chief among which
are hotel and department store. There ara
to b improvements In Market square, which,
under the reign that has passed during the
year. had been converted into = veritable
brothel. Third avenue 10 dark tonight but
within the year it 10 predicted it will be for
the most part lined with attractive now build
ings. A new home for the Royal Neighbors,
one Of the great fraternal societies Of the
world, will arise in the city. The Servus Rub
Der company, with prospects Of eventually be-
coming one Of the largest concerns of Its kind
in the country. will begin huming in thu west
end Of the city, giving employment to hundreds
Of people. There are other industrial develop
ments in prospect. Outside capital is looking
toward Rock Island since 1t has shaken itself
loose from. the influences inimical to its Sc
curity and progress.
There II talk Of new apartment and bust
ness buildings. Several large national con-
Germs are seeking locations for branch houses
here. Hundreds Of new homes will be erected.
Men heretofore Indifferent as to civic affairs
propose having voice in their government
With such men n1anifesting an interest i'm
pfovements that haze been ignored win 90
ahead. Among tte1a may be mentioned the
Rock Island icyce ~.eich has boon shan,efuiiy
neglected Here there stsogld be laid out one
Qf the r.os. attractive riser parks alon. the
Upper Mississippi. The people win respond
readily to any suggested plsn Of improvement.
All they require II Leadership ami cooperation
from tho men 70 whom they entruat Ii.
management Of their city affairs The city