Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1889-06-21
A RAILROAD RIOT.
4 Rnction Between Rival Rail-
roads in Paterson, n. j.
JEW TRAoKs TORN UP By FOROE

a conilIet over the Construction Of Erie
md LacIsava ana Ianes-PoIics Called in
to Keep Peace Between the BeImgerent
Laborcrs.
PATERSON, n. j., June 2l.-The I'M
habitants Of this city are in the midst OF
very lively railroad war, which may
have serious results before it is con-
cluded.
The Lackawama Railroad company Is
laying branch line from its main tracks
70 the center of the city. At present it
j. given out that this line is to be used
as q freight switch only, and that the
tracks are to be laid only to the Passaic
rolling mill and the Cooke Locomotive
works at South Paterson. 1t is gener-
ally believed, however, that it is the
ultimate intention of the Delaware,
Iackawanna and Western to extend its
line down to Market street and COM
pete for the large passenger business
from Paterson to New York, and of
which the. Erie at present has mon
opoly.
Isrie's Flank Movement.
Shortly after the Lackawanna COM
paly got permission to cross a number
ct streets at grade, and also Getty ave-
nue.. the Erie suddenly discovered that.
toacccmmodate its business, it would
be necessary to lay four additional
tracks, two on each side of the present
track of the Newark branch, making
five tracks I'm all. The Erie accordingly
sent in q petition for permission to lay
these tracks, and after the application
had been in the hands of the aldermen
about two weeks the desired permission
was was granted on Monday evening.
Not knowing that it was to meet with
any opposition the Lackawanna COM
pany continued its grading for the lay
ing of its tracks and work had pro-
crossed as far as Getty avenue when the
men quit work. After the graders had
left a large gang of track layers made
their appearance and were soon at work
laying ties and lacking down rails to
them. The Erie's domain was invaded
on the Getty avenue crossing, and the
ties and rails put down, ready for cars
torun over the tracks. A large piece of
track was laid when work was given up
for the night.
The Track Ripped Up.
The Fries men must have been watch
ing the operation and communicated
what had been done to the railroad au-
thorities. At any rate, at break of day
a construction train swarming with It
allan and other laborers, armed with
picks, shovels and crowbars and drawn
by powerful engine, came down the
Newark branch of the Erie. AS soon as
the train was stopped the laborers
swarmed off the cars, and, quickly fol-
lowing the orders of their bosses, pro-
ceeded to rip up the new tracks and
throw the ties out of the way down the
embankment at that point. That por-
tion Of the track that could not be de
stroyed by the laborers was destroyed by
hitching the locomotive to it with large
cable. after which it was drawn out of
the way.
Police Protection Required.
By the time the work of destruction
had about.been accomplished the labor
ers Of the Laclxawanna railroad began to
make their appearance to go to work for
the day. When they saw what had been
done by the Erie they became enraged
and showed fight, Some of the more
hot headed OF the gangs got to fighting,
and word was telephoned to the police
station, when a large squad of police
went to Getty avenue, under Chief
Graul, to maintain order.
After destroying the Lackawanna's
tracks the Erie men, 300 In number, be-
gan unloading the construction train of
ties and rails, and laid three sections of
track across Getty avenue, in accordance
with the permission that had been given
the Erie by the aldermen on Monday
evening. This latter step. it is believed,
win have the effect of blocking the
Lackawanna. The presence of the.po-
lice only prevented riot between the
two armies of railroad laborers. The
police are still at the scene, and will re-
main until all signs of trouble have dis
nanIlna1,ad