New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-12-14
FIVE HUNDRED ARRESTED.
FRANCHlSE-JUSTICE ACKER BUSY SAT
TRDAY NIGHT AND YESTERDAY.


The Staten Island Electric Railroad ai O'Clock
yesterday morning set a gang % - Italians ~
work laying rails for its trolley lluc in cas,c'ou-
ave. New-Brighton which has been disputed
piece OF territory between the New Brighton Board
OF Trustees and the company for nearly year
As the result Of the attempt 20 arrests were made
by the police force. under Sergeant Joseph cobb
and Justice Augustus Ackcr sat up all night while
the prisoners were arrested and arralgncd
The contract for Castle;on-avc. was originally
applied for by the Staten Island Midland Railroad.
who desired 10 make II an outlet for their interior
traffic. II the only available route for them.
and it paraleled the Staten Island Electric lines
two blocks away and drained the better portion
Of the territory from which they expected TO So
cure traffic The company put up a big opposition
and, holding majority Of the six trustees. sue
ccedod in securing the grant. The contract was
signed last winter by President Joseph Rappano' k
er. who has since died. and by the officials Of the
Staten Island Electric Company. The delivery ~
the contract contingent upon the posting by
the Staten Island Electric Company Of 5000 cash
The company apparently neglected 10 do this with
In the stipulated ten days and when they at
tempted TO secure the franchise they found one Of
their had gone to the Midland giving
that company equal representation
An action was then brought I'm the supreme Court
before Justice Smith by the electric company TO
compel the Board give up the franchise. jus
tce Smith decided that the Board could not be
forced TO action. The franchise still lay In IN"
village safe and the case was held up until n few
days ago. when OF the trustees went over 10
the Midlan nd which resulted In majority for that
company.
A meeting was for tomorrow evening. and
the report currcn. that the Midland was TO
get the franchise. on Saturday night Pre- sident
Kerr Of the Board Of Trustees delivered the Old
dust covered franchise to the electric company
officials. Apparently they decided not TO take any
chances and at once secured 80 Italians. who
awakened 10 30 to work With Il dozen
heavy teams. rails and ties were carried TO tho
scene. and the work OF digging trench ana lay
after midnight they swooped down upon the work
men with the night squad and the patrol wagon
and gathered In "a wagon-load The men were
hustled of 10 Justice Ackers home.
Justice Acker held court In light attire on thH
stoop. and the Italians were held In Si" tail each
The electric company went on their bonds, ana
they were carried back TO work by the company :
wagons. All night long 1T about twenty-inlnulr
them before Justice Ackcr. who held court In tho
Village Han after he became tired Of being turned
out OF bed. one batch Of men were locked up
tanning the limited number or JAIL ccis me
comma nv kent about Twenty-Five men at WORK. ana
when they were arrested another gang took th"ir
placcs and hustled the rails and ties INTO POSITION
The trolley company secured a wagon-load OF
broad and coffee and the men worked on wthoul
inaving 10 gct their meals The arrests continued
ali day yesterday and at O'Clock 3s men nah
bocn arrested Three patrol wagons were on the
move and at night the score or 800 was rcachc'.
II was said that at midnight the Village irlstcrs irlsts
Lave rlaccd at their disposal "A gang or 30 men 10
m I'm the trenches and tear up the rails 1he
niectric company prepared for the move with
"A still larger cro"d. - ,o ,,, ~ l.,
junction Will be secured to-day restraining all