The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-30
FIGHT OVER THE STREETS.
CrawfordsvilIe and Northwestern
Traction Company In Collision.

Special to the indianapolis Journal.
CRAWFORDSvILLE, Ind, May 29.-The
contest over the claimed rights to use the
streets of this city for an electric line be-
tween the Northwestern Traction line and
the Consolidated Company came to a focus
to-day. About three months ago the City
Council granted a franchise TO the North
western line, building a line between here
and Lebanon, and at the same meeting
notice was served by a councilman who had
voted for the franchise so he could do so.
Of his purpose to move a reconsideration.
AT the same meeting the road filed its ac-
ceptance OF the franchise and a certified
$500 check to fulfill its contract. Then at
an adjourned meeting the reconsideration
Of the franchise was moved and held up,
but was subsequently voted down.
In the meantime the consolidated line had
secured a modified franchise, guarantee
ing the city an income from the passenger
brought into the city. and the city granted
requiring all other traction lines TO come
into the city over the consolidated lines.
The people said that they
WOULD never DO this, and that as the city
had granted them the use Of the streets
and had accepted their bond it could not be
forfeited by any action to reconsider with
out the company's consent, which would
The Northwestern people have been
sending iron. ties, etc. to this city. but
have been keeping rather quiet as to their
cept that they would come into the city.
The City Council two weeks ago ordered
their certified check returned but this has
not been done and IL IL had been done
they say they would nave refused to ac-
cept 1t.
This morning the Townsend-Reed people
Of the Northw estern line had the teams all
rQQdV lna6Qd with iron fiaC fnn1c 80
and standing just outside the city. Mr..
Harding, OF Indianapolis, their attorney.
went to the city clerk and asked for a per-
nit 10 begin digging up the streets. The
clerk refused to issue II. But this did not
deter the company's representatives. The
teams drove into the city and the rails, ties,
etc. were unloaded from the courthouse
corner to the Monon railroad, about five
squares. The workmcn began TO dig ND the
paved street and all preparations were
made TO put down the track and rails as
fast as possible.
Then the city came in for an inning. At
first the two former were arrested. but the
work proceeded. Then the bright idea
struck some one to run out the fire wagon
and throw water on the men picking up the
streets. This was done and under the d.
rection of Finley Mount, city attorney. the
workmen were drenched with water and
forced to run.
Then the workmen began throwing bricks
at the hremen and the hremen returned the
compliment. Bricks, spikes and picks were
hurled back and forth until the police in
terfered. The foreman of the railway
gang seized a pick and stuck it through
the hose. which killed the force of the
water from the nozzle. One resident took
the part of the fremen. A workman
jumped on him but after a brief fight they
were separated. Realizing that the trouble
was likely To become serious the fremen
withdrew and the men returned TO work.
The police arrested about seventy-fve per-
sons. marching them up to the mayors Of
fee. where they were charged with unIaw-
fully taking up the paved streets without
a permit. Every man was furnished bail
by the American Surety Company of Leb-
anon. whose officers were here for that
purpose.
The Consolidated people have filed in
junction proceedings 10 restrain the North
western people from laying their track
within the city by declaring their alleged
franchise void and the city will sue for
damages. The men who had water thrown
on them will sue the city for damages.
as they claim this constituted an assault
on them. The Consolidated people have
filed an agreement with the city TO paw
all expenses resulting from the attempt
of the Northwestern line to use the streets.