The New York herald., 1878-11-19
RAIDING STREET STANDS.

THE SUPERINTENDENT or ENcUMBRANCEs TRY
ING 70 CLEAR vEsEY AND WEST STREETS.
The conflict Of authority which has arisen between
Mr.. John Keenan,. the Clerk OF Washington Market,
and the superintendent of Encumbrances in the De-
partment of Public Works, may be said to have
reached its eliminating point yesterday afternoon.
About ten A. NJ a number of inspectors and other
attaches Of Mr.. Blumenthas Bureau proceeded 10
neighborhood of vesey and Greenwich streets and
cleared both thoroughfares for short distance of
few small booths. They continued the raid all along
Vesey street until West street reached when the
Superintendent was surprised to number of
persons-men, women and misunderstanding as fast
US they could and either carrying on their shoulders
or Juggling after them portable stands. The strnc-
lures were in nearly every instance supplied with
springs. which put in whenever anbody look
ing like an inspector was seen. t, f.s ..tlt
Mr. Bumcnthal saw that it would be utterly use
less to give chase and decided to make another raid
on the owners of the sprngy stands during the after
noon As soon as the superintendent and his
had left the whole troop back to yescy street
and occupied their old quarters. They were of
course, very iubilant at the manner in which they
had outwittcd the inspectors. and many were the
jokes cracked at the latters' expense.
II tell you." said old apple woman as she strove
with might and main to get the three-legged struc-
ture to stand upright, 1.-The that first med one
these things must have been dear old
creatur."
This sentiment seemed to meet with the unanimous
approval OF the assembled venders the most Of whom
struggling desperately with tho springs Of the
portable booths. Har .t@f yN .tfE
:Divn take the thing!" at length cries out one Of
the more outspokcn Of the groups "but it won't
wurruk ut all, at ALL ~t
Il wish had the ould rascal that sould me this
mechane. the dhirty, miserable backguard!" At
9 re he IN lrr Of he al
their endeavors to get their stands to rights and
seemed to show by their looks that the individual
who In anticipation of the action of the Department
OF Public Works. had induced the stand keepers in
vest in one OF his patent steel spring portable
stands would have but small chance OF escaping
with his lite should no happen to tall into their
clutches
The crowds rested their in this manner for
some time and just as some of the persevcring
ones were proceeding to wreste again with the
booths the Superintendent and his men
coming lcisurcly down Vesey toward West street.
Instantly there the greatest confusion among the
vendors. who began to hastily roll up their property
and ny. But here new source OF trouble presented
ITSELF for few Of the dealers had in their andeavors
to got their stands to rights. strained tho springs and
unable to fold the booths The persons who
were placed in this uncnviable position consequently
either had to leave their to be conscated
by the authorities else to submit to cross-ex-
animation. and perhaps severe reprimsnd at tho
hands OF the superintendent. Nearly al OF them
took the latter course, but outside Of exgctng u
promise from them to remove their stands nothing
was done by the officers OF the law
This singular warfare ws kept up Gil day and nearly
to six O'Clock in the evening. The superinten-
dent OF Encumbrances seemed to be deter
mined TO keep the streets in the neighbor-
hood Of the market free from these stands
and booths. many of which, az he states, occupy
space Of from four six feet beyond the cr
Mr.. John keenan,, the clerk of the market, put
appearance late in the day but did not take any de-
cded stand in opposition to Mr. Blumenthals action
lie stated. however, that he intended TO have the
matter tested before competent tribunal He would
probably have conversation with Comptroller Kelly
the subject Of the removal Of the stands, but in
any event he was determined to Obtain possible. the
official opinion of Corporation Counsel William c.
Whitney the matter. II his views coincided with
those OF himself he would have the question to the
right Of the Commissioner Of Public Works TO cause
the removal Of the booths and stands brought up
the courts.
Mr.. Blumcnhal however, states that he IL Of opin-
ion that he has the power to prevent the obstruction
of any street. avenue or public thoroughfare in
this city, and that he is thoroughly convinced that
the majority of the structures vesey and West
streets not only distractions within the meaning
of the law but nuislnces also. He had received
since he announced his intention of commencing his
raid ON the stands humber Of communications from
persons doing business in the interior Of Washington
Market. In which he is urged to continue the work
He intended to the light until the streets
CLEARED