The sun., 1897-06-08
LIVELY TROLLEY FIGHT.
4 LTTE WIRE CUT ON STATEN ISLAND
and n WOMAN HURT BH IT.


Cars Smashed Together In the FIEht sr the
RIidiana and Electric Companies Over n
night OF way Nesp the ~. GesrEe EeTry-
General MANAGER Rockwell Unaer RatL
Tho war between Staten Island's two trolley
railroad companies, which has furnished o num-
Dor Of sensational incidents during the last
eighteen months, broke out with active hostili-
ties again during tho early hours Of yesterday
morning. When tho FIRST trolley franchises werc
granted on Staten Island the local authorities
devised q scheme for common trackage In the
vicinity Of tho st. George Ferry and at other
points where It was deemed advisable to provide
against q multiplicity Of tracks. One Of these
common trackage points was on Columbia
street, at West Brighton, where It was proposed
that the Staten Island Electric Company should
have the right to use the Midland Companys
tracks for 1000 feet
The Electric Company laid Its tracks to both
ends of the track held by the Midland company,
but the Midland Company refused to sign any
contract which gave tho Electric Company the
uso Of that portion Of tho road. The Electric
COMPANY has had heavy feed wire running
through the disputed blocks for moro than
year, but has not operated tho disconnected
sections of road. In somo Of tho oft-rocurring
exigencies the Electric Company determined to
put these parts OF its limo In operation.
ono at tho Midland Company's ofico and OBJ
tainod, he says, permission to run car over tho
Midland line from the foot OF Broadway at West
Brighton to tho disconnected section Of track on
Brooks avenue which 1t was proposed to begin
to operate. When he attempted to pull q car
over to the Midland tracks at Broadway. shcrtly
after midnight, ho was met by Midland en-
ployees, who refused to permit the car to DO
placed on that company's line. Then tho car
was taken over tho Electric Company's own
tracks up Columbia street to tho point where tho
Midland tracks turn into that street from Cas-
tleton avenue, and again horses were attached
to the car to drag it along the roadway to the
tracks on Brooks avenue, 1000 feet distant.
There the Electric force again encountered a
the horses ste rted with the Electric Company's
car II overlayped the Midland tracks, and the
passage. In doing this the Midland car was run
Into the other car, but the only damage was tho
breaking Of the step on the side of the Electric
The street was 80 effectually blocked by the
Midland Company that the Electric force gave
avenue. ap The Electric feed-wire along the dis
puted 1000 feet was cut down W 9y the Midland thd
general manager Of tho Midland Company. It
Is contended that the wire was live. and that as
great gre W electrical display. This is denied BY Mr..
Rockwell, who admits cutting down tho wire,
Sn
collision of the cars was accident.
After abandoning the attempt to get trolley
car through to Brooks avenue, the Electric Com
pany's force hauled old horse car to Brooks
avenue through side streets and put that in OPP
Grafton. Tho trolley car is operated at the
northern end Of Columbia street.
Superintendent Brophy Of the Electric Com
pany went before Justice Acker at New
Brighton early yesterday morning and made q
complaint against General Manager Rockwell,
charging him with violation of section 635 of
the Penal Code. In cutting q live wire and OBJ
structing the operation of q railroad. The pen.
atty is ten years in State prison. Mr.. Rockwell
gave bail to appear for examination on Thurs
day.
Meanwhile the Electric forces attempted to re-
place the wire in Columbia street, but the wire
was again cut by Frank Le Bar. foreman of the
Midland Company. Tho Electric Company q
force had turned Q current into tho wire, and az
tho ends fell q woman who was passing received
q slight shock, and Policeman Sheehan. who
was on duty to prevent any breach OF the peace,
was forced to make some lively moves to got
away from the wire. The woman was attended
by DR.. Callahan. but as her injuries were not
serious she refused to give her name
Policeman Sheehan arrested LIE Bar, and he
was taken before Justice Mullen at Port Rich
mond, who held him for examination on Wednes
day. This ended the hostilities for the day, but
Mr.. Rockwell made q complaint before Justice
Acker charging Mr.. Brophy with obstructina
the public streets and attempting to main
tain tho wires of his company on Columbia
street, in violation Of section 3S5 Of tho Pena
Code. Mr. Brophy was taken into custody and
held for examination.