The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-09-19

Protected Outlawry.

The Argus told you yesterday that the oper-
@tcrs- of number Of the largest combination
hrs and houses Of prostitution in Rock Island
I'D left the city for parts unknown. The Argus
bid you that they departed in order to cover
BE tracks Of officials and grafters who are
barful lest they be summoned before the grand
1hfy to testify by what authority they operated.
The Argus told you they were allowed to open
conduct their business because they paid for
Protection; that thousands Of dollars were
hulcted monthly from the Rock Island under
korld and divided among the members Of a
combine that has been referred to as vice
Hing The money paid to this ring carried
PROMISES of immunity from arrest or prose-
(ution by city. county or federal governments.
! = joint statement by the city and county
authorities was printed in The Argus Aug.
promising q suppression Of bootlegging. pros
ttution and gambling in the city Of Rock Is
Ind. This encouragement came after The Ar
Jus had been attacked by the vice ring and ridi
yuled by officials for even suggesting that there
Vas need of a check on vice conditions in the
kity. The Argus didn't realize at that time that
Ihe vice ring had such tight grip on the city
IND county governments subsequent develop
>nents proved that it had.
] Since the joint promise Of vice suppression
by the city and county officials there has not
been a single raid or arrest Of a house OF
prostitution, bootlegging bar or gambling house
by either the forces of the police department or
The sheriffs office. The city and county au-
thorities admitted the prevalence of the con-
ditions cited by The Argus when they promised
to suppress them.
/ The protection charge is sustained by the
failure of the city or county officials to do what
(iey promised to do until they were forced by
kle pressure of public opinion. II The Argus
had not exposed the machinery that armed un-
eerworld operatives with the authority to open
y ignore sworn officials. Of the city and county,
lhe houses Of prostitution, gamblers and boot
leggers would be running securely today as
they were before The Argus dared to suggest
That there at least be some semblance of reg
klation enforced by the paid officials of the
Pity and. county
~ The point that it is sought to drive home to
Che good people Of Rock Island and Of Rock
island county is that they must, in the interest
OF their own safety. and the protection of their
bones and property, demand of their officials
that in future they hold themselves free from
kntanglements with such vicious element as
pas been dominating the destinies of this city
officials must be made to understand that theil
worn duty is to uphold the laws and to serve
those insisting upon law enforcement and MOI
those who are violating the law.
Outlawry has been protected from officia
molestation in Rock Island The Argus be
1ieves that 1t has established the truth of thi
charge to the satisfaction Of every reasonin,
fitizen who has followed its course in tn
present unpleasantness Money has been pal,
FOR this protection. 1t isn't the business O
The Argus to prosecute the men who have beel
belling immunity and profiting by the transac
zion. But it is its business to expose the con
pition and, II possible. prevent its continuance
Some Roadway has been made in correcting
conditions in Rock Island. but there is still
PORK to be done. The vicious combination tina
pas been preying upon the underworld, resort
ing to murder to enforce its DEGREES and threat
fning and terrorizing good citizens who nigh
False voice against the moral drift Of the city
tnust be broken up and its grip upon official
eom severed. When this is accomplished, a
will be eventually, a happier day will dawl
FOR Rock Island and its people. You may a
fell face your responsibility now as wait an
bther year. It's going to be pretty dirty jot
put you will feel better after it has been com
bleted.