Peoria of to-day with Peoria blue book directory, 1915, Part 1

Author: Richter, Edward L
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago : National Writers of History
Number of Pages: 230


USA > Illinois > Peoria County > Peoria > Peoria of to-day with Peoria blue book directory, 1915 > Part 1


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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19



Gc 977.302 P39r 1915 1535087


M. L'


GENEALOGY COLLECTION


1


ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01073 1393


1


PTF 7.50


Hewas stilly 119 W. Vethmond


JOHN O.STITELY


Peoria of Jo-Day"


with


Peoria Blue Book Directory


J915


:


EDITED BY EDWARD L. RICHTER


Price, $2.50


Illustrated


PUBLISHED BY NATIONAL WRITERS OF HISTORY CHICAGO PEORIA


.


ANNOUNCEMENT


Peoria of To-Day, with Peoria Blue Book Directory, to be published annually, merits the support and co-operation of every Peorian. Printed by the Poffenbarger Printing Company, bound by Rodney Mit- chell & Co., the photographs taken by Max Erler, the half tones made by the Peoria Engraving Company, and the editorial work done at Peoria, it is in every sense of the word a book of Peoria, for Peoria and by Peoria.


PEORIA BLUE BOOK DIRECTORY 207 South Madison Avenue Peoria, Iilinois


1535087


PREFACE


Why publish this book? There should be many and strong reasons to warrant such an undertaking. To know one's city, its opportunities, advantages, resources and the people that make it, is to know one's self. The wondrous and rapid growth of Peoria, one of the richest and most beautiful cities in the world, is beyond com- prehension. The supreme mission of this book is to record fairly and truthfully existing conditions and facts of interest to the great body of our people, as well as to schools, officials and other special classes; a book for reference in the school, the office and the home, and a medium for introduction and acquaintance.


Its material has been gathered from every available source, and most carefully examined and sifted before acceptance. Considerable space is also devoted to bio- graphical sketches of persons deemed worthy of mention for their close relation to the city in some of its varied interests. It is believed that the extensive recognition of such individuals will not be disapproved or regretted by the public; that personal biography has an honored, useful and legitimate place in such a publication as this volume aims to be; and that the omission of such a department would seriously detract from the value of the book. Perhaps no more delicate and difficult task has confronted the editor and publishers than the selection of names for this part of the work. While it is believed that no unworthy name has a place in the list, it is freely admitted that there may be others, equally or possibly more worthy, whose names do not appear because of lack of definite and adequate information.


Simplicity, perspicuity, conciseness and accuracy have been the dominant aims and rules of its editor and writers. As a rule, the method pursued is the separate and topical, rather than chronological, as being more satisfactory and convenient for reference: that is, each subject is considered separately. To pass from subject to subject in the mere arbitrary order of time, is to sacrifice simplicity and order to complexity and confusion. Hence no attempt at fine writing, no labored, irrelevant and long drawn accounts of matters, persons or things, which really need but a few plain words for their adequate elucidation, will be found in its pages.


Absolute freedom from error or defect is not claimed, and doubtless some may have crept in, but it is believed that very few will be found.


And so with cordial thanks to the many who have so generously and helpfully promoted the success of the work, by the contribution of valuable information, and to all others who have by act or word, encouraged us in this enterprise; with grateful recognition of all these friends and helpers, this volume, Peoria of To-day with Peoria Blue Book Directory is now respectfully submitted to the good of the people of Peoria, Illinois, for whom it has been prepared, in the earnest hope and confident belief that it will be found instructive, convenient, and useful for the purpose for which it was designed.


EDWARD L. RICHTER.


1896 # D'd


-01-9-0 - Anchoas - 05°℃ r


INDEX


Abbreviations


6


Eckwood Park 98


Acme Harvesting Co


37


Educational Institutions 94


Activities for 1914 33


Adams, Chas. C. & Co


88


Electrical Testing Co. 53


Emerson, F. N


64


Albers' Walk Over Boot Shop 58


Erler, Max.


55


Amateur Musical Club 83


Evans, Willis.


40


Amusements 96


Anderson, N. C. 55


100


Financial Institutions.


80


First Congregational Church 76


First Methodist Church. 76


First National Bank


81


Flowers.


77


Bartles-Sweney Oil Co.


46


Behrends Ice & Fuel Co.


35


Berry, Oscar V.


70


Blue Book Directory 109


Bradley Park


97


Garbage Barn


19


Bradley Polytechnic Institute.


94


Branson, E


53


Gauss Undertaking Co. 78


Bridges. 21


Brown, Dr. C. G ..


52


Goedel, E. & Sons.


49


Bush's Wall Paper Store


66


Grand View Park


98


Business-Executives' Club of Peoria. 107


Gruensfelder Bros.


48


Central Electric Co 79


Central National Bank Building


65


Charities and Philanthropies.


100


Child's Welfare League.


101


Chittick, Dr. A.


72


Churches.


76


City Government


15


City Hall


17


Classified Index


199


Coliseum


19


Commercial Organizations


39


Court House


17


Illinois Traction System Map 24


Industrial Peoria 31


Illinois Valley Yacht and Canoe Club 107


D. A. R


104


Dailey, J. E.


68


Daily & O'Brien


61


Day, Warren W. 62


Jewelry 50


Deaconess Hospital


73


Jobst-Bethard Co 36


Deep Water Way 23


Johnson, Chas., Hardware Co


79


De Moure, Chas. 71


Detweiller Ice Co.


35


Kennedy, John D


78


Die Sonne


80


Keystone Steel & Wire Co. 37


Kickapoo Golf Club. 108a


91


Dooley Bros


28


King, John F., Jr.


66


Kinney, G. R. & Co


58


Early Settlers


13


Klein, F. J


64


Eaton, Perry & Son


53


Knetzger, Chas.


60


Eckley, Sherman W.


22


Knights of Columbus. 108


30


Herschel Manufacturing Co 37


Hewitt, H. E. 64


Hirt's Bakery


48


Hofstetter and Lewis


50


Home Building in Peoria. 61


Hospitals


73


Illinois Traction System 25


Illinois Traction System Building. 65


Creve Coeur Club. 108


Cumerford Funeral Home


74


Jefferson Building. 65


Jefferson Hotel.


79


Discovery of Peoria


12


Donmeyer Gardner Co.


32


Kimball Piano Parlors.


54


Fritsche's Drug Store.


59


G. A. R. 104


Gas and Electricity 21


Glen Oak Park 97


Hall, F. A .. 68


Hart Grain Weigher Co.


Federal Warehouse. 65


Associated Charities.


Associated Musical Interests 85


Avery Co. 37


Bahni, Fred J. & Co. 51


Foley, Mrs. Julia.


Eichhorn, Dr. H. G. 75


Aeroplane View of the Great Middle West 23


INDEX-Continued


Lehmann Building 65


Leisy Brewing Co.


27


Peoria Women's Christian Home Mission 98


Peoria Women's Club 106


Police and Fire Apparatus 20


Police Department. 17


Population 13


Maas, Harry M. 38


Madison Park 97


Market House. 19


Martin, I. N., Dry Goods Co. 57


Michel, Victor P. 69


Mohamed Temple 108a


Mokler, Mrs. L. B 54


Morton Square. 98


Municipal Fine Arts Center. 87


Music and Art 83


National Home Building Company 61


Natural Resources.


29


Naylor, E. J. 22


Schulze Bread Co 32


Scott, Dr. John 52


Second Presbyterian Church


76


Sewerage System.


21


Sleyman Art Shop


51


South Park 97


South Peoria Manufacturing District. 31


St. Francis Hospital 73


Statehouse Square 98


Stead, Franklin. 85


Stephens, Mrs. Mary.


54


Streets and Sidewalks 23


Stock Yards


49


Terrace Park


98


Tower Park


98


Transportation Facilities


23


Peoria Blue Book Directory 109


Peoria City Medical Society


75


Peoria Clubs


105


Peoria Country Club 108


Peoria County Dental Society


75


Peoria Engraving Co


42


Peoria Equal Suffrage Association 108b


Peoria Evening Journal. 80


Peoria Evening Star.


80


Peoria Fuel Co


28


Peoria in 1846


10


Peoria Musical College


85


Willcox, Erastus S.


93


Peoria of To-day. 11


Peoria Press. 80


Peoria Public Library


93


Peoria Public Schools.


94


Woodruff, Hon. Edw. N 14


Work House. 19


Wyatt, Dr. Walter 71


Peoria Society of Allied Arts. 88


Peoria Street Railway Directory 26


Peoria Street Railway System 25


Peoria Transcript 80


Peoria University Club 105


Post Office. 19


Powers, Bert C. 79


Proctor Endowment. 103


Proctor Hospital 73


Proctor Recreation. 103


Red Cross Pharmacy 59


Retail Business Section. 57


Reliance Motor Co. 43


Rotary Club of Peoria. 47


Runnells School of Music.


82


Schneider & Metzger 43


O'Connor Bros. 67


Oculist 70


Onken's Laundry


44


Optician


70


Optometrist


70


Orpheum Theater Seating Plan 96


Packing Industries 49


Palace Livery & Taxi Co.


52


Parks


97


Peoria Association of Commerce. 39


Peoria Automobile Club


105


Peoria Bar Association.


69


Peoria Betterment Association 101


U. S. Industrial Alcohol Co.


46


Union Brewing Co 60


Universalist Church. 76


Visiting Nurse Committee


100


Wahlfeld Manufacturing Co. 30


Water Sports. 98


Water Supply 21


Water Works Park. 97


Wilson Grocery Co. 36


Wilson Provision Co 49


Wilton, J. B. Bros. & Co. 81


Peoria Retail Merchants Association 45


Y. M. C. A 102


Y. W. C. A


102


Lincoln Park 98


Loveridge, Chas. 77


Lyon & Healy 86


Oakford & Fahnestock Building.


65


ABBREVIATIONS


A. B.


Bachelor of Arts.


Advt.


Advertise.


Agt.


Agent.


Agri


Agriculture.


A. M.


Master of Arts.


Amat.


Amateur.


Amer.


American.


Apt.


Apartment.


Assn.


Association,


Asst.


Assistant.


Ass't'd.


Associated.


Atty


Attorney.


Ave.


Avenue.


F1


Floor.


F. O. E.


Eagles.


Frt.


Freight.


Ft.


Foot.


Fur.


Furniture.


Fwd.


Forwarding.


B. of L. F. & E.


Brotherhood of Locomotive


Firemen and Engineers.


Blvd.


Boulevard.


B. Ph.


Bachelor of Philosophy.


B. P. O. E.


Elks.


Bros.


Brothers.


B. S


Bachelor of Science.


Bus


Business.


Cal


California.


C. & A. R. R.


Chicago & Alton R. R.


C. B. & Q. R. R ..... Chicago, Burlington &


Quincy Ry.


Cent.


Central.


C. & N. W. R. R ... Chicago & North Western


R. R.


Co. Company.


Col.


College.


Colo.


Colorado.


Com.


Commission.


Comm.


Commerce.


Cong.


Congregation.


Cont.


Contractor.


Cor. Corner.


C.R.I.& P.R.R ..... Chicago, Rock Island &


Pacific R. R.


K. C.


Knights of Columbus.


K. O. T. M.


Knights of the Maccabees.


K. P. Knights of Pythias.


Ky Kentucky.


D.


Day.


D. A. R.


Daughters American Revo-


lution.


D. C.


District of Columbia


D. D. S.


Dentist.


Deg ..


Degree.


Dept.


Department.


Dist.


District.


D. O. K. K.


Dramatic Order Knights of


Khorasson.


Eng. Engineering.


E. P. East Peoria.


Etc


Et cetera.


Europ.


European.


Exam.


Examiner.


B


Bluff.


B. Chem.


Bachelor of Chemistry.


Bd.


Board.


Bkpr.


Bookkeeper.


Bldg.


Building.


G. A. R


Grand Army Republic.


Genl


General.


Govt.


Government.


Grad.


Graduate.


Hdwr.


Hardware.


Hts


Heights.


Ia.


Iowa.


I. C. M. A.


Illinois Commercial Men's


Association.


Int.


Interested.


Il1. Illinois.


Implts. Implements.


Inc. Incorporated.


Ind. Indiana.


Ins Insurance.


I. O. O. F.


Independent Order Odd


Fellows.


I. V. Y


Illinois Valley Yacht Club.


Jeff. Jefferson.


L. E. & W. R. R ... Lake Erie & Western R. R.


L. L. B.


Lawyer.


L. O. O. M.


Moose.


7


PEORIA OF TO-DAY


ABBREVIATIONS-Continued


M


Main.


R. R.


Rail Road.


Rwy.


Railway.


Mass. Massachusetts.


Md. Maryland.


M. D. Medical Doctor.


M. D. V.


Veterinary Surgeon.


Med.


Medical.


Mem.


Member.


Sum Summer.


Merch


Merchant.


Mex. Mexico.


Mgr


Manager.


Supt.


Superintendent.


Mich.


Michigan.


Minn.


Minnesota.


Miss.


Mississippi.


Tel


Telephone.


Tkt.


Ticket.


T. P. A. Travelers' Protective Associa- tion.


T. P. & W. R. R ... Toledo, Peoria & Western


Ry. Co.


Trans Transportation.


Treas.


Treasurer.


Tues.


Tuesday.


U.


University.


U. C. T.


United Commercial Travelers.


U. S.


United States.


O.


Ohio.


Oph. D.


Doctor Ophtolmology.


P Peoria.


Pass


Passenger.


Penn. Pennsylvania.


Ph. D.


Doctor of Philosophy.


Ph. G. Graduate Pharmacist.


P1.


Place.


P. O.


Post Office.


President.


Presby


Presbyterian.


Prin. Principal.


Print.


Printing.


Prof.


Professor.


Prop


Proprietor.


Pub. Publisher.


Rec.


Receiving.


Res. Residence.


Ret. Retail.


R. F. D. Rural Free Delivery.


Va.


Virginia.


Vet. Veteran.


V .- Pres.


Vice-President.


V. S


Veterinary Surgeon.


W West.


Wash. Washington.


W. C. T. U. Women's Christian Temper- ance Union.


Wed. Wednesday.


Whol Wholesale.


Wis. Wisconsin.


Wks. Works.


W. O. W. Woodmen of the World.


Wyo.


Wyoming.


Y. M. C. A. Young Men's Christian Association.


Yrs.


Years.


Y. W. C. A.


Young Women's Christian


Association.


N.


North.


N. A North America.


Nat'l. National.


N. A. U. North American Union.


N. P. North Peoria.


N. Y New York.


Mnfg


Manufacturing.


Mo.


Missouri.


Mon.


Monday.


Mus


Musical.


M. W. A. Modern Woodmen of America


S.


South.


Sec .. Secretary.


St. Street.


S. U. N. A. Switchmen's Union of North America.


Surg.


Surgeon.


M. A.


Master of Arts.


Pres


Peoria of Jo-Day J 9 J 5


Illustrated


PEORIA IN 1846


PEORIA OF TO-DAY From the Aborigenes to the Present Day


P EORIA, the second city of the state in population, is in two not unimportant particulars, easily the first-in the beauty of its name and the beauty of its location. It would be difficult to find among all the names of cities, Amer- ican or European, a more euphonious combination of letters than go to form the names, Peoria, Illinois. Both names are of pure Indian origin. "Peoria," meaning the land of fat beast, is derived from the Indian tribe, Pe-o'-rias, which was one of the five tribes, viz .: Kaskaskias, Peorias, Cahokias, Tamaroas and Mitchigamies, that comprised the "Illini" confederacy, and were in possession of the Illinois Valley when Marquette first discovered it. "Illini" means perfect manly man. To this the missionaries added the French "ois," meaning race, giving us the har- monious name, Peoria, Illinois.


But if the name is one agreeable to the ear, no less is the city a delight to the eye. The great river which lends its name to the state, here broadened into a lake, sweeps by in a gentle, outward curve seven miles long, from the narrows above to the converging and wood-crowned heights below. Between these two points of entrance and exit the lake in front and a wall of commanding bluff behind, lies the broadened plateau, evidently designed by nature as the seat of the great and prosperous city of Peoria. There are few more charming landscapes on earth than that which greets the eye from the brow of these high bluffs.


Below is the busy city extending far up and down between the bluffs and the river, its shaded homes, its stores and shops and public buildings, its broad streets full of stirring life, its street cars gliding like a weaving shuttle in and out, its steam boats at the landing, the silent expanse at the lake, its moving railroad trains, its wooded bluffs on the farther shore-all these offer to him who takes delight in the works of nature and of man and especially to the one who first emerges upon the scene from the level prairie land behind, a landscape of quiet and beauty that can never be forgotten.


And there is yet another view hardly less fascinating which is needed to com- plete this picture-to look back at the bluffs from the city below, to let the eye wander for miles along their magnificent fronts now crowned with noble residences with all their appointments of shade trees and golden plats.


A famous traveler, familiar with many cities and many lands, when he first beheld this scene some years ago, exclaimed, "It is the finest site for a city I ever 1. saw."


12


PEORIA OF TO-DAY


There is, of course, no material change in the topography of this valley since white man first discovered it, excepting that the swampy regions have been drained and supplanted by valuable farms, residences and business sections. But the vegetation has changed. The thick forests of hickory, oak, elm, walnut, and many other varieties of trees, have almost completely disappeared. The large level prairies covered with a coarse tall prairie grass, the seed stems of which were six or eight feet high, interspersed with rosin seed and with a blue flower and when in full growth, it was waved by the summer breezes like the rolling billows of the deep ocean, blue and green, beautiful and enchanting, are a thing of the past.


It was this smiling meadow of wild flowers and native grasses that greeted Marquette and Joliet, on Sunday June 25, 1673, the first white men to set their feet on our prairies, and upon which, seven years later, Father Hennepin and M. de La Salle landed with nine canoes and about thirty men, and with the consent of the Indians built a fort, a stockade of logs, which they named Fort Creve Coeur. The exact lo- cation of this fort is not known but all records seem to indicate that it was across the river on the line of Fayette Street. Tonti, who was left by La Salle and Hennepin, held this fort until September of the same year, when he was forced to vacate by reason of an invasion by the Iroquois. And not until the spring of 1712 was Peoria again inhabited by white men, when the French at Fort St. Louis, estab- lished a trading post on the west bank of Peoria Lake (at the foot of Caroline Street) and a number of families came here from Canada, built cabins in the Indian village and erected a fort. This place was known as Old Peoria's Fort and Village. It soon became an important military and trading post, and was one of a chain of trading posts with a fort, extending from Detroit to the mouth of the Illinois River. For fifty years the French and half-breeds continued to live in the town with the Indians as one people, and during that time peace and harmony prevailed.


In 1763, with the cession of this country by the French to the English, inter- necine war again broke out and for fifteen years no attempt was made to rebuild Peoria. After Virginia's conquest of the North-west in 1778, when this territory became a part of Virginia, Jean Baptiste Maillet formed a settlement about one and one-half miles below the old village, and it was named Fort Clarke. Within ten years the old village was entirely deserted for the new, which continued to prosper until the war of 1812.


In the meantime, with the ending of the Revolutionary War, this territory was ceded to the United States on March 1st, 1784. The following year an ordi- nance for ascertaining the mode of disposing lands in the western territory was passed by the Continental Congress, and on July 13th, 1787, Congress passed the celebrated ordinance of that date by which they provided that the whole territory north-west of the Ohio River should be constituted one district for the purpose of temporary government. On May 7th, 1800, the immense territory of the North- west was divided by Congress and the present states of Illinois, Wisconsin, Mich- igan and Indiana, were constituted the territory of Indiana for nine years. During this time Capt. Wm. H. Harrison, afterwards president of the United States, was appointed Governor and Superintendent of Indian Affairs and given full powers to negotiate treaties between the United States and several Indian resident tribes for the cession of lands. On February 3, 1809, the territory of Indiana was divided


13


PEORIA OF TO-DAV


and the new territory Illinois was organized, which contained two counties, St. Clair and Randolph. Eventually St. Clair was divided into other counties, and in 1812 Madison was organized within the limits of which was Peoria. When the war of 1812 broke out, the French were suspected of aiding the British by giving arms, etc., to hostile Indians, and Capt. Craig being sent up by the government to investigate, on his arrival in November, believing this to be true, gave battle to the Indians, took many French prisoners, and destroyed the town by setting fire to the buildings.


April 1818, Illinois was admitted to the Union and in the spring of the following year, a party of seven venturesome pioneers found their way to the east bank of the Illinois river. This they ferried across and landed at Fort Clark. Here they found the walls of two small log cabins, which stood on what is now Water Street, and almost directly in front of Thomas & Clarke, and set to work to finish them up for dwellings. These cabins were the first American dwelling places at what is now the city of Peoria. Although there were no roads, steamboats, mail routes, nor communications of any kind, and mail could only be had when called for at the post office at St. Louis and a fee of twenty-five cents paid, the courage of these settlers was such that it soon attracted the attention of others, and was the root of "Peoria of To-day." In 1821 Peoria became part and parcel of the newly created County of Pike, and on January 13th, 1825, Peoria County was created by an act of legislature. During the period 1821-1825 a number of new settlers arrived in the territory now embraced in Peoria County, and signs of organization were soon apparent. The assessment for Peoria in 1825 was $7,920 levied on thirty-one persons, ranging from $40 to $800 each. The following year Peoria proper was first laid out by W. S. Hamilton, and on May 27th, 1834, resurveyed by C. Ballance.


By this time immigration to Peoria set in steadily. On March 11th, 1835, an election was held in accordance with an act passed by the legislature on March 1st, 1831, "providing for the incorporation of towns and cities" and the village of Peoria was incorporated. In the winter of 1844-45, the state legislature passed a measure entitled "An act to Incorporate the City of Peoria," providing therein that the charter should be submitted to a vote of the people, and at the election held on April 21st, 1845, the charter was accepted. On Monday of the following week, the first election was held for officials to govern the newly made city, at which time Wm. Hale was elected Mayor, and John L. Knowlton, Peter Sweat, Chas. Kettell, Clark Cleveland, John Hamlin, Hervey Lightner and Amos P. Bartlett as Aldermen.


From time to time after the incorporation of Peoria as a city, the original charter was revised and in the last decade the limits of the municipality were extended by various means. From a population of 1169, according to the census taken in 1844, it has grown to over 100,000 (directory census 1914), and has sufficient area to comfortably care for all, with room to expand. To-day it is one of the richest and most beautiful cities in the world. Its growth has been steady and certain in population; in commerce and manufacture; in educational, recreatory and social institutions; and in everything which tends to advance and beautify. True to the meaning of its name, it is "the land of plenty," and the ideal city for everyone to live in.


HON. EDWARD N. WOODRUFF


Edward N. Woodruff, Mayor of the City of Pepria, is a native of Peoria. He attended the grammar and high school in his native city, and after spending a year out West in various lines of business, re- turned to Peoria to assume the management of his father's ice business, which he later incorporated, and is to-day its president and manager. As a public factor he represented the first ward on the Board of Aldermen two terms, and in 1903 was elected Mayor of the City of Peoria. In 1909 he was again elected Mayor and has been in office ever since, being re-elected in 1911, 1913. and in 1915 with the most overwhelming majority ever accorded any mayor in this city, having received 850 more votes than all the other candidates put together. In 1888 Mr. Woodruff married Miss Anna Smith and has one daughter. He is a thirty-second degree Mason and a member of the Mystic Shrine. He also belongs to-the Odd-Fellows, Elks-and Modern Woodmen of America. He is a director and assistant treasurer in the Peoria Life Insurance Co., and vice-president of the Peoria Tent and Awning Co.


15


PEORIA OF TO-DAY


CITY GOVERNMENT Public Building- Public Utilities-Improvements


The city government of Peoria, in the last several years has attracted the attention of the State. The citizens realizing that the management of a city is the same as that of any private business institution, have tried the experiment of keeping the same mayor and set of officials in office for a number of years. With the present mayor, who has become an expert in city affairs, as the executive, aided by a trained corps of assistants, who not only have learned the will of the people but respond to it, the administration of the city has been conducted on the same sound business principles that prevail in the management of all large cor- porations. It is co-operative with the people; it consults the different civic bodies, the labor unions, the different professions and all people in different walks of life, in all matter of publie importance. The result is that there is no more representa- tive government in the United States than the government of the City of Peoria.


That Peoria has profited astoundingly by it can not be questioned. The old indebtedness has been paid off; public improvements have increased at a rapid rate; new duties have been undertaken by the city government, such as the disposal and collection of garbage and the purchase of additional city buildings; the lighting and water systems have been improved and enlarged; and the scope of duties and equipment of the police and fire departments, and all other departments of the city have been increased. But there has been no increase in the tax rate.


Of the public service corporations Peoria has required the very best that they had, at reasonable rates. They have been made, as far as possible, to co-operate with the city, and to pay to the city a reasonable compensation for the use of their franchises. The eity has insisted that the rates they charge should be based upon a reasonable return for the actual, physical value of the property employed in serving the city, and for the purpose of adjusting these rates, insisted upon auditing the books of several of these companies and appraising their plants.




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