The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1904-04-11

mencement news of the work being done
had spred broadcast, and the authorities
had decided to stop it at whatever cost.
They acted immediately and in quick
succession general fire and police alarms
and a riot call were sent out and by 4
o'clock Sunday morning the BATTLE
against the-invasion of Kearny by Jer-
sey City without sanction Of the former
was on.
Chairman James ]. Donnelly of the
Common Council Police Committee led
the town forces. With him were Coun-
cilmen George NJ. Eckert and William
Greenfield, Recorder James ]. Kelly and
Police Sergeant Smith with ten police
men Almost as soon as they reached
the scene tie 1S0 members of the six
companies began to arrive. They
brought their apparatus along and at
once laid hose and prepared to direct
heavy streams against the daborers at
the word of command.
Mayor George Eaylis OF North Airing
ton also appeared and declared that the
actions of Mayor Pagan and the Jersey
City party were outrageous. On behalf
of Kearny, Councilman Donnelly de-
manded the work be stopped, de-
claring that it could not be done
without permit from Chairman John
Davidson of the Street Committee. and
that he would resist it with ali the force
at his command.
In the belief that there would be a
fracas, the Jersey City policemen were
drawn up in line along the trench, which
had already been dug Their long night
clubs were r+ady for. act,l, and they
were ordered to protect the pipe from
damage, but not to interfere with the
Kearny authorities.
After few minutes parley, Council
man Donnellv ordered the arrest of
Foreman William Greene of the Jersey
City force. The latter demanded immedi-
ate arraignment before the nearest JUS
ice, and Edward A. Ransom, of the
Jersey City party. stepped forward. Re-
corder Kelly protested aaginst this pro-
ceeding and insisted that Greene would
have to be locked up in the Town Hall
over night for a hearing today. This
provoked another wrangle and Greene
was released.
The Jersey City men ordered him to
proceed with the digging. while the
Kearny authorities ordered that no more
work be done. threatening to arrest any
one who got in the trench. William
Greene, Jr,, con of the foreman, called
to the 100 Italians to follow him, and
leaped into the trench. Some of the
men obeyed his command, but before
they could get fairly to work the Kear-
ny police also stepped inte the trench.
Clubs were drawn and there was much
pulling and hauling and threats Of shoot
ing and turning on the fire streams.
Just when serious trouble and violence
seemed certain Mayor Pagan and Coun-
Gilman Donnelly declared truce and
after the laborers and policemen and the
fremen had been separated and calmed,
the officials returned to Mayor Fagan's
trolley car for a conference.
At 2 o'clock all the officials held am
other conference, and Mr.. Record agreed
to allow the Jersey City force to fill up
the trenches they had dug. Mr.. Rec
ord viii make formal application today
to the Kearny Street Commits
sioner for permission to dig the trench.
Mayor Baylis agresd to grant permission
for the small amount of excavation
which is to be made in the borough
1t was said that the plain clothes de-
tectiYes and the dozen or fifteen police
men brought from jersey City would not
interfere with any such action by the
Kearny authorities, but that if the sub
urban water company attempted interfer-
ence of any sort with the work there
would be clash In such an event, the
Jersey City police had been instructed
by the Mayor. they were to act promptly
and decisively for the protection Of the
interests Of the city and the workmen in
its employ, and to use whatever force
was necessary
Midnight on Saturdy was chosen as
the time TO begin the work 50 that there
would be no fear Of an injunction or any
other court order before it was complet-
ed. as such proceedings can not be taken
on Sunday. Careful arrangements were
made Saturday afternoon and at night
everything was in readiness that as the
sound Of the last stroke of u on a neigh
boring town clock died away, the first