The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-01-30
tt1EE@EFR-fE aHE &H&.t
WAR IN GwRBENYILLE.
William c. Smith Has a Po-
lice Patrol Pole Chop
ped Down.
THE STICK WILL GO UP AGAIN.
Both Sides Will Appeal to the
Courts for a Determination
Of Their Rights.
THE STICK WILL GO UP AGAIN.

Inc hrst blow in the anti-pole war
was struck in Greenvilfe his morning.
William g.. Smith. who represents his
lighter Mrs. Hattie L. Lockwood, in
the care and of the row Of
Hats on Danforth and Ocean avenues
was the warrior bold ~ who struck the
piow. 1t is said he did it by advice of
counsel
Inc trouble between the constructors
who are putting up the patrol system
was not confined to the pole in front
OF this property. Other real estate owners
have been kicking about the poles. Henry
Lembeck. the wealthy brewer. threatened
10 remove the pole in front of his hand
some bank building at Winfield and Ocean
avenues. He has not lone so as yet. how
ever.
When the pole in front of Mrs. Lock
woods property was being erected Mr..
smith attempted to prevent it's elevation.
He was restrained by the police of the
Fifth precinct. He complained of this
to Captain Nugent. but that officer told
him he was powerlessS to interfere with
the legitimate work. Mr.. Smith has
gone about wagging his head and max
ing vague threats moe that time. Early
in the week some prominent citizens of
tiS Ci6ifDOI1lOOQ SSuI d REQUEST TO THE
Corporation Counsel for the removal of
the poles. Mrs. Hattie l.. Lockwood.
Reuben Simpson, DIR. S. A. Hollister,
DR.. c, M. ~Limeburner, John Morrell and
Robert Zeiger signed the letter. It pro-
duced no result.
Today Mr.. Smith appeared in the cha
acter of George Washington, with his
Ratchet. At 7l5 O'Clock this morning
~ v - 49, D,,-- ------
containing five men, two large axes, a
hand-saw. rope and tackle and some
other tools and appliances of a minor
character. Two men took up positions
on the roof of the fats, two stood on
the groun and one climbed the pole.
This last mentioned Individual fastened
Two ropes to the top of il. One was
one by those in the street. The con-
tractor meanwhile bossed the job.
He who had mounted the pole then
disconnected the wires at the top with
out breaking them and removed the csoss
trees. The wires crossed the street dag
onally from the opposite corner at this
over the trolley tracks. They hung dam
gerously low, too, and in case OF a storm
or high winds considerable damage may
De done by one of the wires falling across
The man N the pole then began the
real work of demolition. He slid down
IlC pOtt SOlltc lIllGSu lett ana there, sui
high above the insulated feed wires of
the trolley ROAD which run along The curb
at this point, he began to saw. With
reached the Centre. Then he began at
the other side. Suddenly a tremor OF the
pole spoke danger TO the sawyer. Pull"
he shouted to those at the ropes, and the
two gangs bent TO the cable. Then the
roof men slackened a trine and the pole
began to crackle and a A c%ontinu-
ance of this method soon brought it
down to the roadway clear of all wires
and without damage to anything but the
pole itself.
Then an attack was made on the butt
OF the pole within a foot Of the. walk.
Two axemen swung their axes with good
effect effect until the pole was almost severed.
out touching DsI n Of them d1aa .eeo wires WEI
on a3Igeen m nun ea va was o,e consumes meg IN IN this
tions Of the pole and the cross-trees lay
in the gutter OF Danforth avenue, just
on the scene during the work. .Superin-
tendent Foley has charge OF the work
of ~stringing the wires. mounting and con-
When he was informed of what a been
done he declared that a pole would re-
place that one this afternoon. Captain
Counse Blair today. He declares he will
arrest Mr.. Smith. Before he can be locked
up. however. that gentleman will have to
Lockwood are in Bayonne.
Patrolman Datson, at present doing
~roundsman duty in the Fifth precinct,
saw Mr.. Smith at his residence, No.
83 Danforth avenue, just after the fell
ing of the pole this morning, Datson
says Mr.. Smith did not treat him nice
ibid you cut that pole down2" asked
Datson.
What are you talking .aboutg' said
Mr.. Smith. I'm not afraid of you. l
don't care for all the police in Jersey
+ City, III cut down any pole that goes
up in front of that property"
After reminding Mr.. Smith that eve
policemen Were sometimes gentlemen
and entitled to treatment as such, Dat
son again asked, did you authorize the
removal of that pole?" Smith replied in
the same strain, and Datson finally left
him in disgust. Contractor Dunn readily
admitted his connection with the affair.
and said he was employed by Agent
smith to do the work.
There is a suspicion among other
Greenyilleites hat Mr.. Smith represents
a concerted movement of property own
ers on Ocean avenue 1t is believed also
by members of the police department
p~erintendent Foley WIN pick Up the
gauntlet if that is the case. He will
erect a pole at that point and resort to
law to keep it there. This pole is sched-
uled to go up this afternoon at about 4
O'Clock. Trouble of a sensational nature
is anticipated.