Los Angeles herald., 1907-05-24
CALHOUN SLAPs
CRITICS FACE
SUPERVISOR FOLLOWS WITH
VIOLENCE
San Francisco Municipal Ownership
Advocate, Granted Courtesy Of
Floor savaseIy Denounces
United Railroads
By Associated Press.

BY Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO. May 2S.-At a
meeting this afternon of the public
utilities committee of the board OF
supervisors, called to consider reso-
luton declaring forfeited the franchise
of the United Railroads, President
Patrick Calhoun of that corporation
was virtually called liar by e. P.
Troy, municipal ownership advocate.
Mr.. Calhoun's reply was a blow that
caught his antagonist in the face and
nearly knocked him from his feet.
Supervisor Boxton sprang from his
seat and ordered Troy from the room.
Troy's reply was to fling into Boxton's
teeth that he had taken bribe money
from Calhoun.
Boxton ran toward Troy, declaring
he would throw him out, but others
intervened and held the supervisor, and
Troy was forced to take seat OUT
side of the rail.
The resolution under consideration by
the committee was introduced by
Supervisor Tveitmoe, secretary of the
Building Trades council 1t declared
that for fifteen days Immediately fol-
lowing the commencement Of the pres
ent strike) the United Railroads failed
to operate street cars in accordance
with the terms of it's franchise, and its
conclusion is as follows:
s.That the United Railroads be noti-
fed that unless 1t resume the full ope-
ration Of all of its lines on or before
May %, 1907, at o'clock a. m, the
city and county attorney be by this
board instructed to take such legal
action as shall be necessary to cause
the forfeiture and revocation of said
franchises"
Hear Both Sides
This resolution was drawn at the in
stance of the San Francisco Labor
council, and today's meeting of the
utilities committee was to give oppor-
tunity for both sides to present the
case.
E. p. Troy, an insurance man and
noted locally for his advocacy of mu-
nicipal ownership. and his anti-cor,
poration sentiments, asked for and
was granted the courtesy of the floor.
He launched into a savage deuuncia-
ton of the United Railroads, the
burden of his plea being that over
capitalization is responsible for the
present strike between the company
and the car men, and the condition of
Industrial antagonism that prevails.
He asserted that President Calhoun,
in Philadelphia speech three days
after the great fire, had declared that
fit instead of injure his corporation
financially, and that he had further an
nounced in that speech that the earth
quake had destroyed the asphalt pave
vents containing the company's cable
slots.
Calhoun Deals Blow
"That statement" said Troy, twas
absolutely false and he stopped for
breath.
Calhoun, who had been sitting at one
of the supervisors desks regarding
Troy intently, at this arose and paced
I'D to his accuser in the center of the
floor.
IT will not, sir, allow any man to
speak to me of my statements as false"
he said.
II stand by what L said." Troy re-
torted.
President Calhoun deliberately raised
his right arm and dealt Troy swing
ing. singing blow in the face.
Troy took several steps, but made no
attempt to return the blow. The room
was in turmoil.
AS Calhoun quietly resumed his seat
Chairman Boxton jumped to his feet
and cried out to Troy:
'You come in here to get the privi-
lege Of the floor to present arguments.
Then you usurp that privilege to in
dulge in personal attack. Let me tell
you we don't allow men to be called
liars in our presence"
''I didn't call that hoodlum president
OF corporation q liar" retorted Troy.
"You did," shouted Boxton. Now
you shut up You get out Or"
''I'll not shut up! I'll not get out!"
cried Troy.
Chairman Gets Busy
"Then by - I'll put you out" said
Boxton, and he started on a run for his
antagonist.
A. ]. Gallagher and Supervisor Tveit-
moe interviewed. They blocked the
irate chairman's progress while other
members of the committee seized Troy
and tried to push him into a seat.
Struggling free of them, Troy thrust
UP his arm and shouted sneeringly to
Boxton:
Eyes. I've no doubt you'll stand by
the man whose money you took!
''You say that to me-" demanded Mr..
Eoxton. "Oh, you -! Now 1 will
put you out!" and he started again
across the floor, his face set and his
eyes flashing. Gordon was quickly
formed around Troy and he was forced
into a seat. Boxton was induced to
desist.
Word of the trouble sped down stairs
to police headquarters and Capt. Con-
boy and a patrolman hurried up to
guard the peace. Troy was required to
take seat outside of the rail. He
made no further effort to address the
meeting.
No action was taken on the resolu-
tion, which will probably be brought
before the supervisors tomorrow.
Why Calhoun Acted
The circumstances preceding the at
tack were these:
Mr.. Calhoun was given the floor. He
prefaced the reading of his written re-
marks with a brief statement, made
with much feeling and emphasis in
which he charged that on the morning
of the day the strike went into effect
he had, as last concession to avoid the
taking of that step, offered to Sponge
off the slate findings of the arbitration
commission presided over by Chief JUS
tice Beatty and to resubmit the whole
question to arbitration; that this offer
had been rejected by the union leaders.
who, had ordered out the men in the
face of full warning that such action
would mean the unqualified refusal of
the company ever afterward to deal
with or in any way recognize the local