The morning call., 1893-05-07
OVER IN OAKLAND.
All Sidewalk Distractions
Must Go.
MEXICAN HOUSE OF THE PAST.
Runaway Electric-Car-A Number of
Persons Injured for Berke-
Iey-Noted Gambler Dead.

DISTINCTIONS DooMED.-The authori-
ties have determined to remove all boot
black stands and other distractions from
the sidewalks OF Oakland. The swarthy
individuals who shine for living are up in
arms on account of the new move and will
enter vigorous protest against any change
that will shift them from their stands.
This worrment is brought about by the
order of the Board OF Public Works to the
Superintendent of Streets that all sidewalk
Obstructions of any nature whatsoever be
removed from the sidewalks OF the city
within three days after notice OF the police
to those who maintain them. The officers
are now presenting the merchants with
these notices
1t has long been in the ordinance book
that the sidewalks must be kept clear, ex-
cepting eighteen inches next the buildings,
which the merchant was entitled to, but
only for goods awaiting removal or ship
ment. The law. however, had not been
rigidly enforced since its adoption, and had
become rather dead letter When Tomp-
kins was Chief of Police he agitated the
matte. to some extent, but at that time
argued that the bootblack stands being a
public convenience and necessity shoald be
let stand. They were not disturbed.
Now. however, the declaration is sweep
ing, taking in everything, bootblacks, fruit
stands, vegetable vendors, pe6nut-people.
candy-dealers. sign and advertising boards
of all kinds, and the thousand and one odds
and ends that infest the sidewalks of
civ.
While general demurrer is heard on all
sides on account OF the order there is not SO
much open opposition from the Broadway
merchants as is heard from the back-sireet
merchants. the market, fruit and vegetable
dealers. They argue that they are off the
line of general public travel. out of the way
and should not be disturbed; that the open
air helps preserve their perIshable produce
and that in the little places they occupy
they have neither place nor space to show
their goods.
However, vigorous efforts will be made to
enforce the law and the protests against it
promise to be just as vigorous IN some
quarters.
A SERIOUS ACcIDENT.-Mrs. II. A. Red
field, wife of the well-known musician, who
resides at 5SS Hobart street, was seriously
and, perhaps. fatally injured yesterday
afternoon at o'clock by being thrown from
runaway electrician on a steep grade on
the cemetery branch OF the Oakland Cou-
solidated Railway.
The car had reached the top of Forteth-
street hill, and the motormau, who ais does
duty as conductor. bad alighted to reverse
the trolley-pole before going ahead, when
the car started down the steep incline at
this place with its load of precious freight
1t ran for five blocks To the foot of the
grade. increasing its motion with every foot
until 1t had attained fearful velocity. At
the foot of the grade Is curve, where the
car left the track and plunged onward over
the ground great distance before it came
TO a standstill. There were aboard the car
besides Mrs. Redfeld, her two children,
Lowell, aged Il, and Matte. aged II years,
Miss Claire Kelley, aged 1S and another
little girl, with Edna Price. named Mary
Jonason. Mrs. Redfield and her children
had been out TO the cemetery to visit the
grave of her mother.
No one on the car had presence OF mind
sufficient to attempt tocontr0l the runaway,
and probably would not have understood
the brakes had they not been excited and
frightened. Edna Price jumped off before
the car gained much headway. She sus-
tained some slight wounds, but nothing that
Is thought to be OF a serious nature. She
resides al Ills Wood street.
The car was an open one and when 1t
jumped the track at the curve the remain
ing occupants were thrown out in heap.
Mrs. Redhed was thrown forward, strik-
ing on her head. sustaining severe injuries
and concussion of tho brain. She was
unconscious when picked up. and was taken
TO the Fabiola Hospital near by, where
DR.. FentOn, DR.. Blood the company's ply
sician, and Dr. Harmon were called to at
tend her. She remained III an unconscious
condition long time, and at 4 p. NJ. little
hone was expressed for her recovery, but
later reports state she is still very low.
Fortunately none uf the other occupants
sustained injuries, but all were badly
frightened and their escape from death or
injury seems little short Of miraculous.
A New RAILRo oAD.-Artcles of incor-
poration have been filed for the construc-
tion of railroad from Fernside 20 the Wal
nut-street wharf In Alameda. This wharf
IS now partly occupied by the Puget Sound
Lumber Company. The road Will form
junction at Ferndale with the Southern Pa