New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-06-22
TIE RAlLB0AD CONTROVERSY.
ERIE vs.. THE cEYrRAL-REvIvAL OF THE PEA
NUT WAR.

| ERIE vs.. THE CENTRAL-EENlFAL VI HE
NUT WAR.
| Now that the Erie braves have dug up the
hstchet assumed the warpant. and struck the trail,
statement of the origin OF the feud between the rival
roads may be of interest to the public.
In 1851 the Eew-York and Eric Railroad Company,
having in contemplation the construction OF railroad
from Dunrk to the Pennsylvania State line, and the
Buffalo and state Line Railroad, passing through Dun
kirk and running TO the State line parallel with the pro-
posed road of and only miles from it, entered into
a contract. 90 which the NcwYork Central was also
party, whereby IL agreed that 1t was
best for che interests OF all concerned that
but one road should West between those points
which should be 30 constructed and managed as to
| equally promote tho interests of, and DO Just
and impartial between the Eric and Central. That
therefore the Dunlr and State Line Company should
discontinue their organization, abandon the constrgc
Buffalo aud state Line road. At that time, now, the
Erie was six feet gauge road and tho gauge Of the
Buffalo and Rochester four feet eight aud one half
inches. by that contract compromise gauge was
agree upon Or The Buffalo and state Line road OF fonr
feet ten inches. The NewYOrk aud Erie subsequently
failed and went into liquidation, and from It's ashes
Phenix like, the present corporation arose TIC gauge
of the state Line road then altered 10 four feet nine
and 0neqGarter inches, and the ears OF the Central pro-
vided with wide Hanged wheel that permitted their
running over both gauges which they still do In 1853
the Central Buffalo and Rochester and all the roads as
fr east Albany consolidated, and IN 1869 tho Hudson
River road entered the coalition and the whole CORPORA
ton became the York Central. Prior however 10
the last accession attempt made by the people OF
he City Of Erie, aided and abeted by the Eric road,
and the State OF Pennsylvania compel the Central TO
break the gauge at Erie this would necessate the
changing of and passengers to and from of
different gauges The Erie road desired IL because was
Eric shed for hs reason That the majority Of them
identified with the peanut and dough cake inter
eSts, and hoped 10 1nd market where people wou9 le
compeel to undergo the delay of changing cars This
effort involved the surrounding country IN what IL known
in history the " Peanut War" aud which was only
settled by The acceptance on the part or the central OF
what called tho Ohio gauge" four feet ten inches in
The roads west of Pennsylvania adopted the narrow
gauge sht feet six inches wide, and finally CONSOLE
dated and became the Lake Shore and Michigan South
road running from Buffalo 10 Chicago, maklng co-
pete narrow gauge foaa Ioi IVA q from thcir MIN
TO Buffalo where 1T breaks the gauge shipping It's
ght per the Lake Shore line while Central runs
breaking bulk.
handing s0COOO0 damages for its infringement, and has
obtained from Judge Barnard an order for the Lake
70 show why they should not be restrained from
moving any OF the rolling stock Of either on the track OF
the other and why they shOuid not be rcstrained from
running any railroad between Buffalo and the Pennsyya-
na STATE line ot narrower gauge than four icct ten
The Central people claim that this movement will bring
the peanut merchants into the field again TO reGnact the
of bOodshed and devastation That characterized
their last outbreak, and prognosticated much suffering
among the passengers from the lack Of fruit and dough
cakes which must inevitably follow the free vent OF the
passions those to whom their dspeusaOn IL lntrust
ed They contend further that it would subject the ship
pcrs OF The West and Southwest TO enormous expense
from rchanlng loss and detention and that the CITY Of
BnflO itself devoted to that purpose, would not az
ford sufficient space They also claim that the contract
was broken by the Eric road when it affected It's cOnnec
ton with the Atlantic and Great western ana run To
Cleveland and Cincinnati On six loot gauge when the
agreement provides hat road shall run west Of Bur
ilo older than the compromise gauge and this alone,
Tie s1teinent Of MI Fisk that Commodore Vanderbilt
had obtained control Of the Lake shore line and intended
refuse tie thereof % Erie II cOntradiced by those
connected with The Central, VINO say that Erie can send
tolls il advance and VIII Ouiy have its connection with
Chicago cut Of when 10 applies Tor credit.
A re matter stands now II il good Held for embryo
diplomats 20 turn their hsuatye 5omersaults in and
may eventually become somewhat stripped OF the com
ptatpn- thar surround It, % such an exent at least
namely, the travelling public, viii get an idea IA how
grc.t degree their comfort and convenience are re-
g..ded BY the men wao wage this mighty battle
TIE ERIE RAILWAY LITIGATION.
SARATOGA, June 21.-The trial in the case of
John W Thompson agalnst the Erie Railroad
commenced to-day before justice A. Bockes Of the SUI
prpme Court The action is ior dividends preferred
stock. Mr. Sherman and W. A. Beach for the defend
snts moved for trial by jury. The motion was denied.
ann exceptions taken. Frank Thompson, FOR the
tloiIned dividends on the preferred stock gave history
o. the auzatOn OF the Company: the issue Of the
bends ii the uol earnings The plaintiffs claim that
al the earnings over running expenses and the cost OF
rar1ngi 1868 l40gOOOG that the defend
ants not entitled 20 withhold dividends the pre-
ieTgad stack, ahd buy railroads aud make permanent
lmprOvem MT ont OF tine edrnts The defendants raise
an the definition OF met earnings" Justice
Potter June 10, made order for discovery to tine
and papers bearing tie subject of the suit and more
particularly OF the transaction with John :. Eldrcdgc
AID the payment 10 him Of $4,000 and also with the
Boston, Hartford aud Ere Railroad, Richard Schel,
Frank Work. G. Vanderbilt, and others named. Justice
Barnard stayed the proceedings ON this order but Just
ice Engals, on Saturday, set aside Justice BarnardS
order The defendants moved 90 dismiss the complaint.
The motion was denied, and exceptions were taken.
Then order to afford time 70 aval them selves OF the
writ OF discovery the plaintiffs asked an atiOufnment,
aud 5b further hearing was ADJOURNED to the last Tues
dty N ctpttADtl