Evening journal., 1892-06-18
MlLLIONAIRES AT WAR
Line Fence Row Between As
tors and Vanderbilts.
NEWPORT THE SCENE OF ACTION.

William X. Nanderbuts Worlmen Med
die with John Jacob Astor's Grounds
and Astor. who Is Conducting Hostiii- I
ties by Telegraph. Retaiiates.
NEWPORT, r. l., June ls.-worlSmen en-
ployed by John Jacob Astor have forcibly /
moved a fence and changed walks which /
the employees Of w. X. Vanderbilt put in
position but a few days ago. This act Is the |
culmipation Of misunderstanding which
has existed for some time between the mil /
honaire cottage owners Of Bellevue avenue.
The trouble arose when Mr.. Vanderbilt be-
gan building his whte marble cottage be-
tween Bellevue avenue and the chns, his !
premises being bounded on the north and
south by the estates Of William and John
Jacob Astor 1t originated, it is charitable
TO suppose, from the attempts Of ofiicious
employees TO shroud the construction Of the
cottage in mystery
As if to prevent spying from the windows
Of the neighboring cottagers, high and un-
slightly fences were built about the Wander
bilt structure greatly marring the beauty
OF the wide and well kept lawns which had
hitherto been merged into each other, small
hedges alone marking the boundaries.
Then the Astors Cot Mad.
These lofty barriers We're continued a
block across the front of the Vanderbilt lot
in a toll wall Of stone, fanked on either
side by huge iron gates, backed by cor
rugated sheet iron. Tire unsightliness Of
these structures We're annoying. but the AS
tor gorge did not rise III Mr.. Yanderbilt's
men attempted TO change the aspect Of the
beautiful ckffs aud alter the neiehborg
without so much As saying "By your leave
They built an artificial prJinontory from
the cliffs out into the ocean, completely
shutting of half Of tle superb view from
the estate on either side, this elevated pla.
teau being connected with the Vanderbilt
lawn by grading the latter up above those
Of the Astors. Not satisfied with this, ana
being determined to shut cut view Of the
grounds as well as Of the marble house from
the ocean walk, She Vanderbilt workmen
curved the Astor waaks senwaid and down
along a torrace dug in the face Of She cliffs
carrying the pathway by a tunnel through
the promontoRY.
When this came to the knowledge OF John
Jacob Astor, who owns the property at the
south, he ordered his gardeners 20 change
she path back 70 its cid position, sodding
over the new path on the verge OF the prsei-
/ pice. 70 emphasize Kis disgust and de-
teWninatson b. put up a rough fence Of pine
seantling and boards on the border line be-
tween the estates, from the old path " the
cliffs, the distance being about twenty feet.
VandsrbIlt's NeB strike Back.
An opening was left between this and the
barbod wire fences and hedges Of the Van
derbilt property, so that pedestrians could
drop down 80 the path on the lever level
and plunge into the tunnei there.
Much 70 Dir. Astor's sNrprise, the other
day the Fanderbiit men tare up the fence
moving ID Inland % Is 10 permit tke rsplsc-
ing OF the path aloag she verge Of the ciiff
the turf being agsta shifted and beaten
down over the Astor path. 1lr AStor's en-
ployees were instructed Wy teleqrsph to
ohasge the path back 70 the old hns, nevo
ths feacs ous 70 the elE az before and "
sss that il stayed there. Thb was done at
once, the turf being moved ont to The ckns
and stamped down hard 80 that the Astor
path now ends abruptly against the Wander
biit border line and wrs feRce the bank BE-
tweeR the upper and lower paths being
sodded, while watohfpl gardeners prowl
about in the vicinity on either side Of the
boundary
Almost the whole side OF the promontory
rocks earth. shrubs and all-has appaI-
emily given away and fallen, FOR the ruiQs
lie below in the ocean Moreover the walls
Of the tunnel have been 20 damaged that *
has been necessary to shore then up with
heavy timber
Usurped by Vanderbilt
All this is particularly unpleasant TO the
public The state law declares that land
within thirty feet Of high water mark is
free to every one. The cliff dwellers par
chased their estates under this limitation,
knowing that the courts years ago cstab-
lished the right Of the public to free and
unobstructed passage along the cliffs. w.
X. Vanderbilt has however, usurped this
public domain with his artificial works and
placed piacards in every direction threaten.
ing the direst punishment Of the law TO-
trespassers on his territory.
He has also increased the danger Of the
path by carrying it out of the straight line
desired by the Astera and seaward along
the face OF the elin. His conduct is in con
trast with that Of his brothers and Other
cliff cottagers, who ksep tine grayelcd path
and lawns in the best condition and plaoe
no Instructions in the path or view OF pc
destrians
DThe walk is a favorite promenade foi
summer residents, some Of when give free
expression to their disgust They applaud
the Astors in their fight to keep the path at
{ its former level.
Mr.. Vanderbilt is said to be planning q
counter attack which viii probably develop
during the next few days. Meanwhile thu
gardeners rest on their arms on either side
2 Of the fence and an amused and disgusted
public looks on.