New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-10-16
TRACKS LAID AFTER DARK
TRACTION COMPANY STEALS 4 MARCH
on THE "HrCKLEBERRY" ROAD.
HYDRANTs HELD BY WOEKMEN ~ RRONX-
VILE AGAINST THE FIREMEN- FRAN
CHIsE WAR ROnEs TROrBLE

VILE AGAINST THE F1REMEN- FRAN
CHIsE WAR BODEs TROUBLE
The New-York. Wcstchcster and Connecticut
Traction Company. which claims franchise in
Rronxvillc began work on Satulay night laying
its rails and making excavations To prevent its
rival. the Union Railway Comuany (the "Hucke-
berry" road from getting control Of the route
from Mount Vernon to White Plains. con
tractor and about fifty Italian lahorers were
employed and laid about two hundred yards Of
track. Yesterday morning when the men ap-
Deared again 10 20 TO work the village ircheH
rang. and the Bronxvlla Hose Company and
two companies from Tuckahoe. composed Of
about one hundred men. ran about three miles
to the place where the traction company had
begun work. on their arrival tho frrmen and
citizens were Joined 10y about dozen police
men and deputies who have been sworn In
since the traction company began to force IT'S
way through the village.
The citizens found that the Italians had con
troll Of the hydrants and the threat of throwing
water upon them. which had invariably a"ed
them into submission in the various trolley
fights in Westminster County. was no longer
Of avail. Each hydrant was surrounded 10y
dozen or more Italians. who had removed the
handles from their picks and We're using them
q
which they threatened to brain the hremen II
they attempted to interfere with the laying of
the tracks.
After some parleying posse ~ citizens made
a rush for the hydrants but Wcre driven back
by the clubs and weapons hrandish'd by the
workmen. Finally ex- Assemhlyman Smith the
village counsel. f. r. Chambers. who holds the
office Of Road Commissioner, and supervisor
Lent held n consultation with the contractors
and agreed to permit thc company to 60 on
poviding the tracks would H. Laid only ON the
west side of the White Plains road. where there
is no macadam.
About week ago the foreman of gang q
men employed by the traction company was ar
rested while building the road. but was dis
charged on the promise that he would not re-
turn TO work until the matter was settled 10y
the courts. An injunction was then applied for
i'm behalf Of The village 10y cX-Assemhlyman
Smith. and was heard ON Saturday,
Justice Marcan. in granting a decision In IA
vor of the company. Mr.. Smith says made it
quito plain that it vas not 10 20 ahead with its
work until the yiag" authorities submitted
briefs which they obtained authority - do to-
morrow Mr.. Smith says that If H.. suit of ~"
village against the traction company prevails
the re ckS which u has laid Will be- of no value.
as the citizens will not permit 1t o. run cars.
The traction company claims the right 20 huilf
under an ola liah'hlse. NHlch il ac4uIeu "9
purchase II the North Mount Vernon road, but
the citizens declare that this is defurrt. They
are ah0ut TO ignore the traction company
claims and give h'arine o. It's rival. the
Union Railway Company. which IS trying % get
PERMISSION 10 build road fTOu Mount Vernon
10 White Plains for which il has franchises in
every town and village or the route. except In
Bronxvilt.
The Union company has applied to the trus-
tees for a franchise. and hearing VIII be given
on Tuesday evening. october 81. I'm the Bronx
Vile school house. Should the trustees give II "A
franchise there IS no telling what complications
may arise. Most people admit that it would
result in two trolley roads being built and the
destruction Of the White Plains road.