The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-07-26
MAYOR JOHNSON
DEF|ES COURTS
INJUNCTION

Cleveland. July %-Mayor Tom John
son. champion OF the people and expert
In municipal government. has thrown
down the gauntlet to the courts. Today
he will be forced TO appear before Judge
Ford in the common pleas court 10 ex-
plain why he should not be held guilty OF
contempt in refusing to heed an inJunc-
ton issued yesterday prohibiting the tear
ing up OF the tracks OF the Cleveland
Electric Railway company.
Mayor Johnson, who is credited with
being largely interested In the Municipal
Traction company recently organized 10
construct and operate street car lines
here on a scent basis. put himself at the
head OF a small army OF 500 men yester-
day, and descended on Fulton street. In
addition TO his army. Mayor Johnson had
ordered Chief OF Police Kohler and a
force OF policemen 10 be on hand.
"Up with those tracks" commanded the
mayor, indicating the rails OF his rival
Within a few minutes the half-thousand
brawny laborers had yanked out about a
half-mle OF the Cleveland Electric Rail-
way companys steel. and II lay neatly
piled along the curb
At this juncture the Cleveland company
attorneys took hand in the proceedings
Judge Ford was appealed to, and an In
junction was issued forbiddng Mayor
Johnson or his merry men from disturb
ing the property.
A perspiring court courier dashed of
for the scene OF battle and discovered the
mayor gloatiing over the work OF de-
struction.
"A court order. Mr.. Mayor" painted the
perspiring one, forcing II into the hand
OF the citys chief executive.
"A court order7 Bahr' responded the
mayor and he calmly stuffed the docu-
ment into the capacious pocket OF his Of
fetal trousers. Then he spurred his men
on to renewed exertions.
Get a grip on that rail. Mike" he
shouted at the red-faced foreman OF one
gang. Here. you. Pat. have your men go
at that cross bar as IL they intended 10
get IL out some time before Labor day
This isn't a Clan-na- Gael picnic"
About this time the court official recov-
cred from his astonishment and dlsap-
peared in the direction OF the court, where
outraged justice sat in dignified and bliss
full ignorance that II was being outraged
FEW minutes later he returned with
summons for the mayor 10 appear In
the morning TO show cause why the law
shouldn't be avenged.
But by that time the tracks OF the
Cleveland Electric Railway company were
everywhere along the street except the
places where they should have been.
Mayor Johnson last night in formal
statement defended his action and that OF
his subordinates In the city administra-
tion In tearing away the tracks. He says
in part:
"On June II. the city council by reso-
lution ordered the railroad company 10 re-
move the single track on Fulton street
and directed the board OF public service To
move the tracks unless the company COM
piled within 10 daye
That was six weeks ago. and the or
der has been utterly ignored by the COM
pany. The railway has been violating the
law all this time and has shown no in
clination to obey the city's order, which
was n perfectly reasonable and usual
one"
The hearing today before Judge Ford
for contempt will be stubbornly conteted
on both sides, and promises TO be sensa-
tionsl and dramatic