The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-07-29
President Of Commercial Light
Co., Tacoma, Arrested.
POCKETS SEARCHED At THE JAZZ
Mayor Fawceft Waging Relentless
War on the Corporation.
A Drunken Fellow stabs . Young
Woman at Eima-Suiclde or . Mill
man at cosmopoiis-A Miner Killed
at Rosiyn Decision Unfavornbie TO
United States I'm n Sealing suit.

Tacoma. July os-Specfal--Charles B.
Hurley. president and general manager OF
the Commercial Light e. Power Company.
was arrested twice today by the police.
charged with the VOCATION OF ordinance
81. which prohibits the stretching OF
wires In the streets and alleys OF the city
without a permit or franchise Along with
the manager OF the Commercial company
ianeman Fred Bayha was taken into Gus
tosy.
The FIRST arrest was made at go o'clock
this morning. and the prisoners were TAX
en- 20 the police station by Officer Barck.
who acted under Mayor Fawcett.s orders
IA making the arrest. Mr.. Hurley and
Bayha we're escorted TO the station, and
their names were booked on the sheet
along with the regular grist OF hobos.
petty thieves and vags.
The situation was a novel one TO Mr..
Hurley. After his name had been placed
on the sheet an officer approached him
and proceeded to go through his pockets,
as all prisoners are searched az the city
jail. Mr.. Hurley took even this personal
fDdignity with good grace. assisting tho
officer in finding out what his pockets con-
tanned
The second arrest was made at go by
Officer Keatlng. Again Manager Hurley
was taken into custody and with him
Lineman Bsyha Again the president OF
the Commercial Company was subjected
10 the huml;iating indlgnity Of having a
policeman search his pockets as IL he were
common felon The novelty had worn
ofY. and Mr.. Hurley evidently felt his posi-
tion keenly. His pockets were stripped
and everything they contained were placed
before the gaze of the jailer. who stood
behind the railing. 1t was plain that the
president OF the Commercial Company was
cut 20 the quick by the outrageous treat
neni received al the hands OF the police.
When Manager Hurley was brought 10
the station the second time he was con-
fronted by Mayor Fawcett. who had d.
rected the arrest on both occasions. A
heated controversy ensued. The mayor
was filled with wrath, and he told Mr.,
Hurley that he had no right to do bust
ness In the city and had better cut his
wires. give up his patrons and quit. The
mayor intimated plainly that the COM
pany was not wanted In Tacoma. To
this Mr. Hurley replied that the courts
would decide whether his company had
any rights that the city was bound to re-
spect.
Judge Dillon. OF New York, the eminent
turist, is one Of the stockholders In the
Commercial Company. which has been
consolidated with the Tacoma Gas and
Electric Light Company. Judge Dillon is
an authority on municipal securities, ana
his opinion Of those offered by the city OF
Tacoma viii doubtless be affected By the
treatment the officers of his company have
received az the hands of the city authori-
ties
The first case against President Hurley
was dismissed by Municipal Judge Reid
this afternoon. for the reason that no
complaint had been filed. The second
case was continued until tomorrow. Mr..
Hurley aenositlng so bail for himself and
Linsman Bayha.
Among business men generally the
greatest indignation prevails over the
treatment suffered by Mr.. Hurley at the
bands OF the police. II Is plain that
Mayor Fawcett proposes to stand or fall
bv the ight he * making against the
Commercial Company. and he fs vigorous
fighter. Not content with arresting the
president of the Commercial Company.
the city has asked Judge stallcup for a
writ OF citation directing Mr.. Hurley TO
appear IN court tomorrow and show cause
why he should not be punished for con-
tempt OF court In violating the Injunction
issued last week The writ Is made re-
tnrnabie tomorrow. II was signed late
this afternoon by the Judge. who is rusti-
eating at Steiiacoom,
An amusing circumstance In connection
with Mr.. Huriey's arrest Is that the men
IN hts employ had been stretching wires
20 the power house OF the Tacoma Rail-
way & Motor Company for several days
past. Their work was done on Eleventh
and a streets under the very noses of
the police. When Mavor Fawcett heard
- this ne was very indignant az Chief
Hoge end plainly told him his opinion
OF the laxlty of the police.