From the Union-Tribune Archives: 1922 Streetcar Standoff in University Heights
Front page of The San Diego Union, Aug. 28, 1922. (The San Diego Union)
Reprinted from the Union-Tribune Archives, August 28 2022
One hundred years ago this week, a dispute between the San Diego Electric Railroad and the city of San Diego over street paving came to a head in the so-called Battle of Adams Avenue.
The owner, John D. Spreckels, wanted to waive a provision in the franchise agreement with the city that required the streetcar company to lay near its tracks. To avoid having to pay for city-ordered street repairs on Adams Avenue, Spreckels ordered the tracks removed under cover of darkness.
The “battle” began shortly after midnight on Saturday, August 26, 1922, when a street car company began tearing up the rails on Adams Avenue.
The noise of the work crews shook the residents. The superiors were called. One angry citizen, Walter S. Church, held the workers off his block with a revolver until the mayor arrived. The company’s chief engineer was arrested for breaking tracks in violation of the franchise agreement.
A special council meeting was called on Sunday to legalize buses banned by a 1915 city ordinance to provide public transportation on the street.
The Union newspaper, which Spreckels also owned, reported the standoff on Adams Avenue on its front page with great sympathy for the railroad company.
Eventually the State Railroad Commission ordered the Spreckels Electric Railroad to resume service on Adams Avenue. The company agreed to double and extend the tracks in exchange for a waiver from the city on paving costs. The Adams Avenue car line continued to operate until 1949.
From the San Diego Union, Monday, August 28, 1922:
COUNCIL RESTORES BUS TRAFFIC
MAYOR BACON STOPS TRACK REMOVING
ANGRY CITIZEN THREATS TO KILL ANY EMPLOYEES OF THE COMPANY WHO REMAINS AT WORK
A resident of Adams Avenue fired several shots with a revolver as the workmen were tearing up the rails; City executive arresting engineer of the road line; Refuses to allow the railroad to bring the street to a safe condition; Police patrol of the neighborhood.
THE REMOVING OF THE ADAMS AVENUE RAIL, performed late Saturday night by the San Diego Electric Railway Company, came to a sudden and dramatic halt yesterday morning shortly after sunrise.
An angry citizen with a revolver, Mayor John L. Bacon, City Attorney S.J. Higgins and two uniformed police officers were featured in the high-profile court filing. Bacon ordered a stoppage of work and refused to allow the street railway company to get the street into a safe and passable condition, or even to smooth out the street intersections, before leaving work. The streets remained as they were, and the company’s attorney informed Mayor Bacon that the responsibility for the condition of the street rested with the city authorities, not the company.
H. A. Quamstead, an engineer in charge of the maintenance of the Company’s tracks, was arrested by Bacon, but soon afterwards released on bail.
Prevents possible shooting
The man fired several shots from the revolver, but no one was hurt. Yesterday morning at around 5:20 a man drove a car through the tract and threatened to kill anyone who would continue working. The vehicle, license number 649434, is registered as the property of Walter C. Church, 2836 Adams Avenue. Bacon did not appear disposed to take any action against the man, but arrested Kumsted, who was unarmed, and who had just prevented a possible shoot-out between a threatening citizen and one of the street railway employees.
Buses started running on Adams Avenue at 6 a.m. yesterday and continued to run all day. Bus fares were not charged, and hundreds of passengers “rolled” along the destroyed section of the track. Those who wished to travel into the city were taken to carriage No. 11 at Mission Cliff Gardens. The bus service, according to street railway officials, will continue until the Adams Avenue problem is finally resolved. Klaus Spreckels, the CEO, said yesterday that every possible measure would be taken to minimize inconvenience to visitors to Adams Avenue.
Police patrols patrolled Adams Avenue all day yesterday in compliance with the mayor’s no-work order. The ruined walkways are still in the same condition as when the mayor first stopped the work, and will remain so, possibly until the executive director allows the company to remove the debris and smooth the right-of-way.