The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-08
WHOSE NOSE WILL FALL?
STIRRING SCENES IN THE CITY Po-
LICE COURT YESTERDAY.
The Old wrangle Between the City Au-
thorities and Certain Railroad officials
Over Broadway Street Reaching a
Crisis-Threats to Spill Blood.


orders out among crowd OF railroad con-
sructon and repair men to spill the blood
OF policemen.
President MADDEN, as the great Dictator
OF Police movements, has instructed Chief
Davis to place only pious members OF the
force within range of the death dealing
bullets, so that no man yet in his sins may
he sent TO his eternal account under sink
ing weight.
For years, Broadway street has been an
indigestible bone OF contention between
the Memphis & Charleston and Kansas
City Railroad Companies and the Taxing
District authorities, The former interests
claim TO own 1t in fee simple to do with it
rs they please, without regard to police
regulations. The city authorities insist
that Broadway is a street, and, as SUCH is
the property of the city, TO regulate and
control rs any other public thoroughiare.
There doesn't seem TO be many documents
on either side beyond the original dedca-
ton. What there are are evidently being
interpreted with a vengeance and stub
bornness full OF absorbing interest, which,
in these dull days, will afford newspaper
readers much entertaining literature Us the
conflict thickcns.
IL appears, from statements OF President
1ladden, that the main issue in the dis,
pute is Broadway east Of Rayburn avenue.
As to that portion west Of Rayburn he UNI
dcrstands the railroad authorities TO admit
the cily's right TO regulate and control.
That isn't enough. As the representative
OF the public, he insists upon authority
entirely 10 Walnut street or the city limits.
The attitude OF the Memphis x Charles
ton company on the street Is a peculiar
one. With its suit for joint possession and
the outcome, the public is familiar. 1t
has no track along il, beyond what is
termed worm" laid simply 20 maintain
whatever rights IL may have, and is never
used. The only real track in existence
there Ia the Kansas City companys. The
Memphis x Charleston Company, il was
decided by Chancellor Estes, should pay
the Kansas City people something like
$4,000 for the work they had done on
Broadway.
How the two ever adjusted II il known
only TO them. end would add little interest
20 the case 80 far ~ the public Is con
cerned. II Is material, though, that OF
late both are working harmoniously, and
have been taking steps for an equal d.
vision ~ joint holding IA fee simple. In
consequence, all other roads are aud
would be barred, save by entering into
traffic arrangements with one or the other.
Ii is in this position that the TENNESSEE
Midland finds itself. entering the city over
the track Of the Kansas City, Memphis q
Birmingham.
But 10 the cream skimming Of this arli.
Gle, without further proliminaries Bright
and early yesterday morning, President
Hadden, while riding In the vicinity, dis
covered q railroad laborur digging away |
for dear life on Broadway Just east OF |
Raybum avenue. lie was preparing Tor |
the laying OF a track.
"llold on, therel" cried the President. |
approaching the diligont worker, "let's |
Hcc your permit"
GIVE got no permit" replied tho man.
''but was sent out here by the foreman 10 !
do this very work, Isn't that permit
enough
"Wby. no. You must have a permit |
from the City Engineer before YOU can dig |
up the earth anywhere in the city"
Thus informed, tho man retired; 40 did
the President The latter used the near
est telephone for communication with po-
lice headquarters, and had Policeman Con |
Daily sent out TO guard the sacred terri |
tory. lie then pr-cocdcd 10 the Police |
Court, but before business had begun Mr.. |
DAILY telcphoncd that whole gang Of |
workmcn had put in an appearance and |
we're going 10 resume digging operations.
The olhccr wanted instructions. aud ~
cviVed them. They were TO march the
whole force TO the station.
"A h
docket cleared. aud In the presence oi
Mcssrs. David II. and frank l.. posiun.
The Judge saw them them, hut supposed
his experiences Of q short time before were
brought about by Superintendent sullivan,
oi the Kansas City Road, and not the
Memphis 4 Charleston people At the
clcso Of the docket, after summing up the
receipts, wiping his glasses and hcaylng a
robust sigh, His Honor was about 10 adj
journ, when Mr.. ID. II. Podion arose and
inquired II any VI Mr.. sulliyan's men had
been arrested
II expect 80" he was answered by the
Judge.
What iorf' was The next inquiry.
well, for digging up the ground on
Broadway street without a permit"
You would, suppose, stop man from
building ON his own properly, wouldn't
your Broadway l. our own property"
Certainly, ] would stop man under
the circumstances you describe, unless lac
had a permit. Now. look here, my dear
cousin David, you'rc not going 10 prose-
cute any work on broadway sheet without
permission from the city. Chief Davis"
continued Ills Honor turning TO that OF.
tlclal. place police guard al along
broadway, i0m Walnut street east, aud
arrest every man attempting 10 work on ID,
unlcfshc has permit from the CITY Coun.
gu, from The Council Il must be from tho
legislative Council"
i want 10 give you aud your police
hir warning 10 keep OF our property"
taid Alr Pusion. with great warmth. II
shall Instruct the men working for "a 10
kill The ilf.t policeman who inicfiCps with
our work
. Then, Chici," suggested His Honor
maintaining bis comp1surc, ''you will de-.
tail the mot piuus oi your men. ~ that II
they are killed, they will be- prepared
But aud ho warmed up considerably na
hc approached this point. ~ ID be- nee.
cs-niy, 10 prevent the work, send your
whole force dowu'
IL nov notify Chief Davis" inicposcd
Mr. poslon, growing wmlhy aud moro
wrathy still, that u be uf any Of his men
oct FOO, on our ground they DO W NJ ihcif
peril broadway street b. our pfupcftv.
aud We 10 not intend 10 be- inicrlcfcd With
by your police OF your Cuurt"
The latter statements of tho attorney
were meant for Sergeant llarkott who
had elevated himself 20 a table and w,u
drinking In every wofd that passed be.