The herald., 1893-07-07
THE OAKLAND WATER FRONT,
Opposition Ferry Service Has
Caused a Clash.
The Southern Pacific C0mpany's
Monopoly Broken.
Distinctions Forcibly Removed from
the Streets Leading to the Wharf
by q Mob Led by the
City Fathers.
By the Associated Press.

! By the Associated Press.
OAKLAND, July 6.-The opposition
ferry service between this city and San
Francisco was the cause of serious
clash between the authorities of Oak
land and the Southern Pacific company
tonight. 1t was the intention of the
opposition fairy steamer Rosalie to dock
at the foot of Broadway, but the South
ern Pacific has held that part OF
the water front exclusively for 18years
and had fences and gate built across the
street, and small ticket Office also on
the line of the street. Efforts have for
some time been made by the city au-
thorities of Oakland to induce the
Southern Pacific to give free access along
Broadway to the water front, but with
out success. The Southern Pacific had
possession of the water front at the foot
OF the street and the avenue leading
thereto, and by it's actions indicated that
it proposed to keep it.
This afternoon Mayor Pardee con-
cluded that the situation called for un-
usual measures. He instructed Street
Superintendent Harrison to remove the
fences, gate and buildings, and to clear
the way to the water front. The street
superintendent recruited his force, and,
accompanied by the chief OF police and
strong guard and the entire city coun-
Gil, proceeded to the foot of Broad
way, where the work of remov-
ing the distractions was begun.
There was no objection on the part
OF the company, but the ticket agent re-
fused to vscste the building, so the
authorities were compelled to proceed
while he remained in it. The fence and
gate were removed quietly and quickly,
| and then the work OF removing the
building began. Jackscrews were placed
| beneath it, and it was hoisted upon a
wagon and hauled by 16 horses through
the streets to the corporation yard. The
ticket.sel remained in the building
and took an involuntary ride.
A large crowd had meanwhile col
lected and watched the proceedings with
much interest and some excitement, but
no disorder occurred. This evening,
however, the Southern Pacific took its
turn. A locomotive with IA loaded
coal cars came steaming up to
the station, and the cars were
divided and backed across the street on
two tracks. The purpose appeared to be
to retain possession OF the depot grounds.
No action was Immediately taken by the
city authorities, but large crowd was
eoon collected and it soon manifested
the design of adopting forcible
measures OF regsining possession
of the avenue. Various measures
were proposed and threats of violence
were heard. The report that the cars
would be hauled away at 8 O'Clock had
an assuaging effect on the crowd, but
when the hour arrived and the obstruct-
ing cars still remained the crowd grew
noisy and angry.
Finally it was proposed to move the
cars off the street by hand. This pro.
ipoeal was received with howl of ap-
probation and the cars were showed
along the track off the street, one at a
time. The spirit of riot now thoroughly
possessed the crowd. When the cars
were out of sight, they turned their at
sention to the lumber laden trucks
blockading the streets. and they were
rushed off into vacant lots. Then some
one shouted: 'Tesr up the rails!" and
the call found an immediate response.
Councilman Smell and Councilman
Manuel headed the mob. Crowbars,
ropes, axes and other appliances quickly
appeared, and plsnks and rails were
speedily supplied, and the planka
and all the tracks crossing the
street were soon torn up and
thrown to one side. When the
wreck was complete, the crowd bundled
up its implements and quietly walked
away. The police did not at any time
attempt to interfere. By midnight
nearly everybody had gone home.
Late tonight the Southern Pacific
made further move to retain pos
session of the water front by
diepatching the freight boat Ala.
media and number of barges
from San Francisco to occupy the wharf
at the foot OF Broadway and prevent
other boats from landing. They took
up a position at the wharf in sufficient
numbers to prevent others from land
ing.
During the height OF tonight's excite
ment the Rosalie landed. and about 3O(
passengers who landed joined the moi
in throwing lumber and other obstruc.
tions from the wharf.