The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-11-25

The New York Sun of yesterday has
the following with reference to a live
ly scrimma< in which J. r. Beetem.
formerly acting general manager of
the electric car lines in this city took a
prominent part.
There was Il lively clash in the Astoria
section of Long Island City yesterday af-
tcrnUon between employees of the city wa
ter department and the New York and
Queens county Electric railway, which
terminated in the arrest of General Man
ager j. II. Bectcm Of the railway COM
pany. Last Saturday evening the city
water supply was cut off from the power
house of the railway company in Mills
street Astoria, without warning. Mayor
Gleason said the railway company was
in arrears about $1,000 for water taxes.
Beetcm and his men hustled around and
soon had three mammoth tanks engaged
in bringing water from NcwtOwn. AS
fast as the tanks arrived at the power
house they were pumped out ana returned
for a fresh supply
Shortly after 1 o'clock yesterday after
noon word was sent to General Manager
Beetcms office in Hunters Point that en-
ployes of the water department were
making preparations for digging up the
railway tracks Of the company seventy
five feet away from the power house.
BEETEM on THE SCENE.
This move would prevent the company
from getting its water tanks down to the
power house. Beetem jumped on an elec-
trio car and was soon on the scene. He
went equipped for hos ilities II is said he
had nu less than three revolvors. Mr..
Beetem, however says he was unarmed
but that he placed a revolver on the WIN
dow ledge inside the car. He stopped his
q
would have to go under the track. A big
crowd had gathered by this time. Trouble
was anticipated Mr.. Beotem took his
stand on the front platform of the car
and warned the workmen that If they
molested the property of the railway
company they would do 80 at their peril.
| The men dug up to within about six
| inches on both sides of the tracks and
stopped. In the meantime the police re-
serves hastened to the scene.
While the railway company was thus
holding the fort Engineer Lang fastened
| to the city hall. A warrant was sworn
| out in which Engineer Lang accused
| Beetem of threatening to shoot him. The
warrant was hustled back to the scene ir
| short order. Then, as Beetem stepped
| off the front Of the car to give instruc-
| tions to some of his men he was pounced
| upon by two policemen in plain clothes
| Thinking he was being attacked, he
| threw out his arms and one of the police
men went reeling against picket fence
| The other policeman informed him that
! ne was under arrest, and he submitted
/ Leaving instructions to keep the car on
| the track and prevent the tearing up of
| the road Beetcm left in custody for the
| city hall, where he was arraigned before
| Mayor Gleason. The mayor permitted
! Mr.. Beetcm to go in the custody of his
! counsel, to appear before a police maGis-
| trate on Friday.
UNDERSTANDING REACHED.
| In the meantime an understanding was
! reached in relation to the digging up of
| the street, Commissioner Of Public Works
| John w. Moore assured Mr.. Beetem that
| If he would permit the trench to be dug
! under the tracks of the railway company
! permission would be given the company
! to shore IN the road and make it safe
| for traffic. With this understanding the