The morning call., 1894-09-29
An Experience of Chief
CrOwIey's.
HIS ENCOUNTER WITH BOXE
Commission Men Must Clear the
Sidewalks.
GOOD WORK ALREADY BEGUN
Pedestrians Will Now Have an Op-
pOrtunity to Traverse the
Downtown Streets.

1t was once remarked by a compiler OF
wise saws and modern instances" that
the last straw would sooner or later dislo-
cate the camePs spine, and sure enough
the old adage has again been borne out by
the facts.
The Police Department. from time to
time, has endeavOred to relieve the suffer
ing public by clearing the streets and side
walks of annoying distractions, but in
variably these crusades are no sooner
ended than they are forgotten by the tem-
pOrarily defeated obs tructiOnists. and the
public again assumes the role of a
suffering one. Particularly has this been
the case in that portion of the downtown
district occupied by the commission
and wholesale merchants, although it may
be said that the latter are only
occasional offenders in this regard. But
the fruit ana produce men have heretofore
been hard to conquer, partly because the
storerOoms they are obliged to occupy are
too small to accommodate their wares and
principally for the reason that bargains
are struck more easily on the curbstones.
But it is now quite pro babe that all this
must cease. for the suffering public has at
last enlisted the services of a champion
who will conduct the war on the line he
has mapped OUT even. if it take all winter
and portion of the following spring. He
is determined 10 win, and it is one OF the
safest ventures on earth to back him in
every move and make book on the gen.
eral result.
The champion Of the suffering public
is no less parsonage than Chief of Police
Crowley, and the manner of his enlistment
in this particular cause is. to say the least,
interesting.
Thursday afternoon he had occasion to
visit the Postoffice, and of course followed
one of the usual routes from Kearny street
until he found himself on the corner of
SansOme and Washington. He proceeded
like a careful mariner along the south side
of the latter thOroughfare. amid dagger
Gus reefs and threatening shoals, barking
his shins now and then, until he reached
the establishment of Wetmore Bros, at
413 Washington street, situated about mid
way in the block.
Here it was that the cautious CHIEF, who
had been navigating under slow bell up
to this time, was Obliged to come to a dead
halt and look about him for an opening.
Huge crates of cantelOupes, box upon box
VI kCuupkib6 applCo dhu tlClo VI pObnbOOo
and understanding onions barred his
passage on every side, and for once in his
life the Chief was at loss how to pro-
coed.
"Wnl you be kind enough to remove
that chicken-coop," said he to an indi-
vidual attired in a red jumper and blue
overalls, Sin order that l may reach the
POstoffice before nightfall?"
nd oil n b IN IF
u.s." came the reply. "Pm too healthy to
be jerking chicken-coops around The side
walK."
But, my dear man." pleaded the Chief,
81 am no longer an athlete, and | can't
move a step backward or forward"
well. throw out your anchor and
locate till we close up, them" was the
cheering response or the Individual in the
blue overalIs.
The Chief enjoys the reputation of
being one of the most patient men in the
county, but it was at this particular juno
ture that he gave way. He said:
"See here. young man; my name is
Crowley, and l have the honor to be
Chief of the police force of this town.
Just move that chieken-coop in an instant,
or I'll give you an exhibition of climbing
that will make your head swimv'
Aud the chicken-cOop was removed with
such alacrity that several of its feathered
occupants died of heart disease.
The owner of the jumper and overalls
apologized, but the Chief was in no humor
to listen. He transacted his business at
the Postof1ice and fastened TO police head
quarters, where he issued an order. which
mad the effect of keeping the downtown
sidewalks clear Of obstruction all day yes
erday. Officers were on hand at the open
ing of the cOmmiSsiOn-hOuses, and their
orders were explained before a box had
been unloaded from the wagons.
1t was sudden and unexpected move,
but the chap in the jumper and overalls,
over on Washington street, could not keep
the secret and soon explained the situa-
ton. He was laughed at of course, but
when it was found that the police per-
sisted in treating all alike and insisted
upon the removal of all manner of opstruc-
ton he became an object Of hatred dur
ing the balance of the day.
Chief Crowley states that In future he
will do his best to keep the sidewalks clear
for the use of pedestrians. A few feet
close to the walls of the buildings may be
used for the display of goods, but the
curb cannot be piled up with boxes and
crates. He has given fair warning, and if
the Iaw is violated in future arrests will
follow in rapid succession. One of the
employees of a Sansome-street commission
house explained the Chiefs orders il a
few words when lie said:
HE wants us to keep the walks so clear
that we may be able to sweep the dust
over the Turb and into the street once
every hour without having to move box"
To prevent lamp chimneys breaking,
scratch fha hasa of the clnha w III q q a