Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-13
TROUBLE At TAK0MA
Suburb Had Plenty of Excite
ment Last Night.
INJUNCTION SERVED
is
ON MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF
CITY COUNCIL.
Wildwood Management Scores Tenn
porary Triumph-Courts Will Pass
Upon the Issue Raised.


Excitement ran high in Takoma Park
last evening when the news spread about
the suburb that the sheriff of MONTGOMERY
county had come to serve warrants on
the mayor and council for having had cut
the wires connecting with the pool room
at Wildwood At the same time rumor had
it that an attempt would be made to re-
store the wires which had been cut down
yesterday by order of the town authori-
ties. AS a result that section Of the park
in the vicinity of the old log cabin, on
Carroll avenue, about hundred yards be-
yond the District line in MONTGOMERY
county was the scene Of an unusually large
gathering in anticipation of clash be-
tween the bailiffs and the Wildwood man
agement when they should attempt to re-
place the destroyed wires.
The mayor and town council of Takoma
Park were also served with an Injunction
by Sheriff Collier The injunction prohibits
the mayor and council from interfering
with the management of Wildwood in the
operation Of the pool room or with the
wires connected with the room, until fur
Their order from the circuit court of Mont
gOmery county.
Sheriff Collier, who lives at Dickerson,
Md, in company with Mr.. R. S. Turner,
one of the proprietors of Wildwood, and
employe at Wildwood, arrived from
Washington about 8 o'clock After leaving
the Takoma at the Junction with the
Wildwood line, they boarded the Wildwood
car, which was in waiting, and started for
the residence of Councilman Douglas
After serving him with CODY of the
writ the party with Councilman Douglas,
started for the home of Councilman Sever
ance. who was also served with a copy of
the writ. From here they went to the
home Of Mayor Kinnear. on Holly avenue,
and also served him with a CODY Similar
notices were subsequently served on the
other members of the council.
Mayor Entertained Sheriff.
Mayor Kinnear entertained the sheriff
and his party in his parlor. Sheriff Collier
was very cordial in his greeting to the
mayor, and, after serving the writ ex-
planned certain points in connection with
the document. Mr.. Turner and Mayor Kin
near INDUCED in a lengthy conversation
concerning the affairs at Wildwood, which
have attracted much attention of late. Mr.
Turner was earnest in his remarks and ex-
planned his connection with the resort
A large number of deputy bailiffs had
been sworn in in anticipation of trouble.
They had been keeping watch day and
night around the telegraph poles The wires
were stretched across Carroll avenue.
The bailiffs were we'll prepared to carry
out the orders of the council not to permit
the wires to be restrung. Anticipating fur
Their trouble shortly before the arrival of
were deputiZed to guard the poles and pre-
vent an attempt to replace the wires.
AS soon as the injunction had been served
on the mayor and members of the council
the car was run up to the Carroll avenue
crossing and men sent aloft to replace the
wires. The car was run back and forth at
the crossing and by 4his means the work
was rapidly completed.
When the baiiffs were ordered dfscha reed
from further service the crowd, which by
this time numbered more than 100 persons,
departed for their homes.
Takoma Has Counsel.
The town Of Takoma has retained legal
counsel at Rockville to represent the mayor
and council. Now that the troubles have
been carried to the courts a lively fight is
expected, the results of which will be
awaited with much interest
Mayor kinnear was in consultation with
the members or the council last night. The
Takoma authorities feel that they will
eventually win out in the fight
In the bill filed at Rockville yesterday
by Messrs. Lambert & Baker, attorneys,
or this city, representing the management
OF the pool room, they state that from
about April 10 to June IL. 1903, the pool
room had the quick use and enjoyment
of a certain telegraph wire, which runs
along the poles of the electric railway and
that complainant was conducting sum-
mer resort at the place mentioned under a
license from the state of Maryland and
owned the telegraph lines referred to-
which, it was claimed, is necessary in con-
nection with the pool room business.
They also declare that lin pursuance of
certain alleged ordinances" passed by the
mayor and common council of Takoma
upon the LIST day of June. 1903, the de-
PENDANTS undertook upon the 18th day of
June 1903, to cut the wire and thereby. 1t
is alleged; committed trespass upon the
pool room S vested property rights
The telegraph line, according to the
bill filed, is in connection with
the cities of New York, Philadelphia, Bali
timore and other places, from which points
the pool room received messages. 1t was
argued that this constitutes interstate COM
merce business within the meaning OF the
Constitution of the United States and that
neither the state of Maryland nor the town
of Takoma Park has any authority to pro-
hibit or interfere with such interstate bust
The bill contends that the town ordi-
nances on the telegraph wire question are
wholly invalid and unlawful. 1t concluded
with the statement that the town was
threatening to further interfere. and that
unless restrained 1t would do so.
Mr.. Turner Talks.
Mr.. Turner last night said that he was a
law-abiding citizen and wanted to obey
the law. The wires, which had been cut
by order Of the town council, were, he said,
his own personal property. He said the
wires were put on the trolley poles Tor the
purpose OF transmitting news ana the oper-
alton of cars on the line. He said he had
leased the road, with the option or buying,
which. he thought he would do later on
He spoke of the advantages which were
In store for the residents OF the Park,
through the operation of the cars on the
line of the Baltimore and Washington
Transit Company, which connect Wildwood
with the cars Of the Brightwood line. near
the terminus of the latter line at Takoma
Park. Only within the past few he
pointed out. switch mad De q
in position on Umatina street, 2;
junction on Brightwood avenuc
planned that in the future cars
run to Brightwood avenue, back ana lorth
over u tilla street. connecting with the
District line and Forest Glen cars. thus
giving the residents a minute schedule,
and possibly a five-minute schedule, later
on. by the addition of more cars. He also
promised to give improved service on the
line for the benefit of those residents who
patronized the line when 1t was running on
a regular schedule
Referring to his connection with the pool
room, he said he represented New York
firm and acted as common carrier for
that firm, which he had right to do I'M
der the laws of the state of Maryland He
maintained he was not violator OF the
law, and was prepared to furnish bond to
the sum of 100000 If required by the
courts.