Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-06-25
THAT FAILED
FRUIT VENDORS EYEING ONE AN
OTHER WITH UNFRIENDLY EYES.
Both Establishments Required to
Observe the Law-VfsiOns of
q Rate War.

Salvatore Amato and D. Scagnelli are
rival fruit vendors at the corner of 18th
and streets northwest. Amato occupies
building at the southwest corner, while
Scagnell holds the fort on the outside of
catering establishment on the northwest
corner. For some time past the competi-
ton for trade between these two proprie
tors has been brisk and bitter. The air
about the corner has been heavy laden with
deep, black looks which have flashed back
and forth across the thoroughfare desig-
mated with the nineteenth letter of the
alphabet. Several times during the past
few weeks the eyes of the rivals have met,
and it is declared by those who have been
interested In the commercial combat of the
sons of warmer chimes a dotted line Of
fire might have been easily traced from
the orbs of one to the other.
Mr.. Amato recently hied himself to the
law-dispensing establishment of Campbell
Darlington. There was a long Interview
between the attorney and the proprietor OF
the fruit stand, carried behind closed
doors and with bated breath. it is said,
lest the rival might have agents In the
neighborhood to detect the fact that there
was something doing"
Letter to Commissioners.
The outcome was a letter addressed by
Mr.. Darlington. as attorney, to the District
Commissioners, in which he stated that
Mr.. Amato rented the fruit store on the
southwest corner of 18th and S streets for
$40 per month, while on the opposite cor
ner the same business is carried on by a
rival on the sidewalk, without, it was
claimed either a permit or the payment oil
rent. Mr.. Darlington said, suaVely ana
with fine intimation, that Mr.. Amato
thought this state of things ought not TO
exist in the home of his adoption, the
home Of the brave" to say little, If any
thing of the '1and of the free"
The communication was turned over to
the police department and forwarded by
Major Sylvester, the superintendent, to
Lieutenant Kenny of the eighth precinct
for report. In forwarding the paper MAYOR
Sylvester wrote:
II observe that the man on one side of
the street has small frame house erected
which occupies the parking adjoining his
stand and it Is my desire that 1t be re-
moved as the regulations do not contem-
plate any such occupancy of public space.
These two dealers seem to be getting into
warm water, and are giving the depart
ment some annoyance VIII you please In
yestigate both cases thoroughly, and advise
me as to whether the two occupy premises
contiguous to their display of fruit, if they
pay rent for the same, etc"
Lieutenant's Report and Chiefs Com
ment.
Lieutenant Kenny reports, under date Of
June 81 as follows
i l.
Scagnelli, the party complained of. Mr..
Scagnelli is the only person renting at the
point named. He pays So per month to E
Murray 1900 14th street, for the use Of a
portion of the cellar of the above premises
and also Of window on the street side
Mr. Scagnelli promised to take away the
frame structure mentioned. He showed me
a letter from DR.. Tindall, secretary to the
honorable Commissioners, informing him
that as long as he kept within a four-foot
limit he would not be distudbed Mr.. Amato
is Jealous from business standpoint and
should be satisfied, he has the same OPP
portunities as has Mr.. Scagnelli on the OPP
posite corner"
In returning the papers to the Commits
sioners Major Sylvester states:
Attention is invited to the foregoing re-
port, which goes to show that the parties
site corners. l have personally inspected
frame house that was on the northwest
corner and which. In my opinion was I'M
slightly. On the southwest corner the party
has a store. and displays his goods ac-
cording to law. On the northwest corner a
cellar and part Of building are rented
and goods displayed according to law.
Therefore, do not see any room for fur
Their action, except that all concerned be re-
Quired to maintain a strict observance with
the regulations"
AS both stands are to remain there is talk
of fierce rate war The small boys are
praying that such condition will exist
and have visions of pecks Of peanuts for a
cent.