The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-12-03
WAR ON THE RAIL
The Erie and Morris and
Essex Controversy.
Blockade at tho Bergen Tunnol-Fisk, Jr, and
the Jersey Railroad Mem Fighting Over
Frog"-aovernor Randolph a.
an Arbiter-Travel Resumed.

Unparalleled In lthe history Of railroad strife, 10
which the country Is becoming notorious, the dar
ing hOstilites carried yesterday between two bel
ligerent companies will longlbe remembered for tn
utter recklessness, I'll feeling, inconvenience an
danger which 1t engendered. Never before has sue
! highhan piece of business been enacted by tn
public servants OF any State, ana however right o
wrong either corporation may have been II
pursuing Its policy, it is certain that the ruinpu
| yesterday caused more annoyance than al the iesa
bubbles and tecanicalIties In Chrlstendom coult
| remove. SO at least thought the thousands OF pas
sengers who were debarred from travelling Oh
either line by the
| VIOLENT MEASURES AND rNRELESTrNG BLOCKADE
vigorously maintained by the Erie and Norris and
| Essex Railroad Companies Throughout the live
long day the engine OF the one was placed hors de
| combat, as 1t We're, with the other, ana
| q more thoughtlcss or wicked spectacle
could not have been presented. But 1t Is necessary
10 explain IL appears that for some time past there
has been some dinculty pending between the Erie
and the Morris and Essex Railroad companies as to
the right OF way Of the latter through the Bergen
tunnel which Is about one mile In length and not
far distant from Jersey City.
The building OF this tunnel was originally COM
menced by the Erie Railroad Company, but loan OF
SIG 800 was obtained from e. A. Stevens in order TO
complete it. 1t stipulated that MIR.
Stevens should have the right or way through
the tunnel, and as his assigns the Morris ana Essex
road claims the privilege, which, however. the Erie
company dispute.
THE CONTROVERSY
has already been before the Jersey Courts, bat Is
stln unsettled. When 1t will be perhaps the coming
generation VIII Ps Informed H:wyhelt: the contest.
ants entered into I'd agreement few weeks ago
that pending the disposition OF the suit the Morris
and Essex Lane should be allowed the use OF
the road, under protest. 1t may be here
mentioned that many months ago the Morris and
were consolidated Now, I'D this consolidation was
added new line, known as the BoontOn branch
Hitherto the Erie company had only growled AT
whatsthey considered tue encroachments OF the
Morris ana Essex line, but the Boonton branch
seemed TO be, as Fisk had 1t.
.troo MUCH FOR GOOD NATURE
and so war declared, and the Erie company de-
Iermlned to prevent the Boonton branch enjoying
the privileges until the question at issue should
have Deen settled by legal decision. A Climax was
ut hand. 1t eliminated yesterday. AT an early
hour the Morris and Essex company summoned a
move piece OF the track ana put In frog In order
to allow the Boonton tram 10 run along. And now
the battle commenced In earnest. Dispatches new
across che wires in all directions, and Ike
THE SIMULTANEOUS RISING OF THE CLANS
In the COED old scottish times, the salwart retain
ers or both companies appeared on the hills above
almost ina twinkling. The Morris and Essex men
had already removed piece OF the track, and the
Down IL went, and the first spike was being ham
mered In, when q well commended gang OF Erie
men Charged down the hill en- masse. and, sur
rounding their opponents, arrested the progress Of
their LABOR. The wires OF the telegraph had mean
while been IN active play. The chief railway OIL
GERS OF both companies hurried to the scene.
REMONsTRANr HARAEGUEs
We're yehementiy delivered on both SIDES The
worknen became excited, and hammers were
welded threaentngly Ia the air. With vigorous de-
termination the Morris and Essex tried to rivet
the irog: with equal presidency the Erie workmen
eiled their efforts by closing In upon tiem nod or
u
or the laborers would have been freely shed. Had
have passed. just at this time Erie tram W as
due end coming up in lively style, cleared the
crowed and halted near the Freq thus forming an
efectual blockade. IL was mastery stroke, but
| the superintendent Of the Morris and Essex road
alive to The occasion; for, opening the switches
| the cars OF b0th companies
COULD MOVE NEITHER WAY
Another Erie train soon arrived and the grand
blockade was completed. Here was scene. The
public highway choked up, the workmen OF the
TWO companies hooking In hot haste TO the spot,
ready for any emergency; the officials standing with
their hands IN their pockets gazing at the sorry
sight, Passengers disappointed and the tide OF conf
merce seriously checked. Superintendent Rucker Of
The Erie road, and Superintendent Schoch, OF The
Morris and Essex road, stood still, apparently help
less IN their positions yet both reselntey determined
not to yield an inch. The police arrived IN number
about one hundred men, with a molly group OF
deputies, TO preserve The peace. But this state Of
affairs could not last.
were nearly thousand strong, and the Morris and
Essex men not more than half that number. Danger
line of battle, with clubs iirmly glasped sudden AZ
an ayalanshel q gang Of Erie men rushed
strong and simultaneous effort away the frog
! in order to substitute their own rail. In closed
their adversaries, bet the police beng on the alert
the sortie ended III first class crush With the eX.
cepti0n Of few Insignificant bruises no injuries
were sustained, but many were forced into the
I muddy drain outside the track. A comparative
I come sort OF an arrangement was made, whereby
cars OF the two companies might run over the line
1 nlfar ntniu SNT1 ErInf rQ nfsan frat
! but their places were supplied by others, so that
THE BLOCKADE REMAINED
before, and looked If 1t would continue TO the
| end OF time Meanwhile vast multitude assembled
ON the ground aud III the vicinity and the matter
was loudly discussed. Erie men were on one side and
Morris and Essex on the other. They were scarcely
ininical towards each other, but both forces were
evidently resolved 10 protect the properly OF their
| respective employers. Groups lounged upon the
adjacent banks, on the bridge, and in the neigh
| bouring fields, ready to come together at given
annals OF such warfare. Meanwhile the sun con.
1 tlnueG TO shine-too weak to warm, but. genial
| in its rays. The crowd, which now numbered
| the scene. The workmen had been summoned from
| the shops and yards OF the companies without pro-
visions, and hungry faces began to look deSpond-
A CART ARgIvEp~wIrH STORES.
| i was QUICKLY bounced upon, and here and there
| walked aboug contentedly. devouring huge
Jumps Of bread and cheese About half.
| railway ofllcials arrived upon the scene.
| The work Of mastication stopped. Followed by a
curious tnrong, Fisk, after surveying the scene,
| walked brlslily up TO superintendent Schoch, who
| was standing on the track and stated that he was
| willing that the trains should be run, provided the
frogs were taken up and the piece OF rail which had
| been torn up replaced. TO this Superintendent
| Sch0ch would not agree. A very sharp discussion
4 ensuc6. Said Mr.. Fisk,
\ GIVE Us BACK OUR PROPERTY.
| Where IL the piece Of rail you have torn ups Yon
\ nave right 10 take our rail, Said Mr.. School,
''lhat Is simply question for the COURT "Bnt
AN not going TO run my trains over any one else's
| track. GIVE US back our property replied Mr.
Fisk. "You have already run your trains over II,
argued Mr.. sohoch, ..and would not allow us TO pass
! over 1t since you have set w blockade. "Have
| you carried out your arranRementW "Oh,' put In
| superintendent Bucker, mo arrangement has been
made" The Colonel then wound up by observing,
! YOU CAN DO AS YOU PLEAsE,u
and then walked off towards his telegraph office
and commenced 10 forward dispatches TO head
quarters.
GOVERNOR RANDOLPH ARRIVES AT THE SCENE,
AT i've O'Clock Governor Randolph, ACCOMPANIED
~ some members oil his star, arrived, and forth