The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-01

rested for battery. When Harbourne and
Officer Conrad returned to the library they
were again refused admittance.
=" 4ou are usurper and have no right
here" said Attorney Goodwin, who has
been retained by the new board.
Harbourne then crossed over to the other
side, jumped over the railing and went to
the desk where the books are received. A
young man named Crozier came up and
wanted to get behind the railing to select
a book. Harbourne attempted to wait upon
him when Library Trustee Jansen put out
his arms and showed Harbourne away.
Arrest that man for battery" e1citedly
exclaimed Harbourne and the contestlng
trustee was informed that he should con-
slider himself in custody.
You just wait little while" said Jen-
sen. and for the time hostilities were sus-
pended. Wilson in the meanwhile stood
near the receiving desk looking over a
catalogue.
Mrs. Bradford came in at this time and
wanted to leave an old book and get new
one. Husband waited upon her, notwith-
standing Harbourne made an attempt to
do the same thing. The former stated to
patrons that Harbourne was no longer the
librarian and that the library was closed.
The old librarian saw it was useless for
him to attempt to conduct the library, and
told others who came for books that the
| library was closed
| Police Officer Conrad informed the new
board that the City Attorney had given his
| opinion, when j. r. Knowland retorted,
| why does he not come here and back his
| opinion like mani"
A locksmith came into the library and
| proceeded to fasten the door with stout
bolt and Harbourne exclaimed, ARREST
that man!' but the locksmith was not dis
turbed and soon had the door securely
| bolted.
Attorney Goodwin stated that the new
board would close the library and take an
inventory of the books. He said: "The
new trustrees hold their Office by virtue of
others are usurpers. We will only leave
the library by force. They will have to use
force to get US out of here. Ii City At
torney Taylor says that Harbourne is en-
| titled to remain here as librarian he doesn't
know what he is talking about"
Police Officer Brampton went to the
library room shortly after the new trustees
TOOK possession on telephone message
from City Trustee Clark to report there and
preserve order if necessary.
George II. Mastick, member of the old
board, arrived on the scene shortly after 3
O'Clock. I'VE certainly intend to take
| some action" said Mastick 1--WE cannot
allow anything like this to take place
without obiecting to it. I have been ex-
pecting this, but did not think it would
come SO soon. 1t was a very unusual pro-
ceedlng. Why didn't they go to law and
not resort to force? 1t could have been
easily arranged to have got hearing be-
lore the Supreme Court in July, and de-
cision would be rendered in August. This
would have settled the whole NATTER
| Jensen, Husband and Knowland con-
| tlnued in possession during the afternoon,
and their action was Endorsed by City
Trustee Clark. Librarian Harbourne was
also there and busted himself in the refer
| ence-room.
mo one deprecates the fact of our library
| being in the meshes of contest more
than l do" said Mr.. Knowland. "but I
take the stand that there is a principle
at stake. The present board was ap-
pointed by the City Trustees, and we be-
lieve in virtue of such appointment we
are the regular governing body of the
! library.
1.-THE old board refused to retire. and in
! justice to ourselves and to those who ap-
pointed US we deemed it our duty to assert
our rights. 1t was proposed by the old
board that we submit an agreed case,
which would allow them to hold office
until the matter was settled, which might
be in six months, one year or perhaps
until their terms had expired.
81 most earnestly desire that the present
trouble be speedily settled, as the whole
affair is decidedly distasteful to my family
and self"
The old board retained Elwood Bruner,
who went before Superior Judge Frick in
the afternoon and secured an injunction
against the. members of the new board
forbidding them to hold possession and
from interfering in any manner with the
management of the same.
The new members will commence pro-
ceedings at once, but in the meantime the
old board has possession.