Evening star., 1936-03-27
By STAFF Correspondent Of The Star.

~ Grimly determined to prevent
~ the Virginia Public Service
4 n Co. from erecting a pole in
the front of his house, at All
South Lee street, a small, retired
letter carrier today declared that
he would "sit on the posthole until
Christmas II necessary" and hurled a
defying challenge to the utilities COM
pany to "lay their hands on me-"
Despite this challenge, j. w. How
ard. division manager, asserted with
equal emphasis that 'the pole will be
placed there. peacefully. I hope"
THE battle of Lee street." so called
by residents who watched Fred Pull
man and his son Francis maintained
24-hour vigil on the hole where the
pole was to be installed, began yester-
day. Father. and son took turns in
holding of a crew of workmen sent
to replace rotted pole.
Workmen Helpless.
Pullman eyed the men as they dug
up the old pole yesterday. and as
they started to replace it the retired
letter carrier Immediately took his
stand on the hole.
The astonished workmen would not
forcibly remove him, and hurried con-
ferences were held with their supe-
riors, resulting in Howard's statement
today.
The dispute is destined to go to
court, it appeared. City Attorney
Carl Budwesky entered the fray by
writing Pullman a letter advising him
that the company had a right under
its franchise to erect the pole.
Budwesky suggested that Pullman
permit erection of the pole and avail
himself of the provision in the fran
chise which empowers the City
Council to designate the places where
poles are to be erected. provided the
principals cannot reach satisfactory
terms between themselves.
Will Disregard Letter.
Pullman had not received the city
attorneys letter today. but when told
of it he said he would disregard such
advice and fight erection Of the pole
in "the only manner know, which
Is to sit on the hole"
The retired postman. about feet
S inches in height and weighing
scarcely more than 125 pounds, re-
iterated his contention that the pole
mars the appearance Of his house. He
said there was nothing that could be
done about the old pole while it was
in place, but he will prevent a new
pole from further affecting the value
of his property.
AS he talked, Pullman stared through
a window from his home to see if the
workmen had returned to erect the
pole. It was raining today and the
embattled letter carrier was forced to
maintain his watch from the inside.
However" he said, rain or no rain,
I will put myself on that hole and sit
there" He has his son Francis to
help him in the afternoon and night,
when the boy returns from his classes
at the George Washington High School.
Howard was reluctant to discuss the
"battle Of Lee street." other than to |
affirm his intention to carry out the
company's plan. He would not say
when he expected the pole to be |
erected, indicating that the matter |
was In the hands Of counsel.
Old Pole Still There.
Just before noon q company truck |
with two men drove to the Lee street |
address, but no effort was made to
resume the work. In the meantime |
the old pole is standing in the street,
by four temporary braces
and still carrying the wires, and two |
men are stationed there to direct |
trafic around 1t.
These men and Pullman kept the
long watch last night, Pullman being |
he said, Of a midnight at
tempt to complete the job.
City officials and police adopted a
policy Of watchful waiting, declining |
to interfere with the dispute. Four |
policemen appeared on the scene to
prevent any disorder or violence, but |
they refused to become embroiled on |
either side.
City Manager E. G. Dunn, although |
taking an impartial stand, he said.
stated that in his judgement the
power company was entitled to erect
the pole on that spot. Budwesky
would make no statement beyond that
in the letter he had written to Pull
man.