The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-06-29
RAILROAD WARS.
A Gigantic Struggle Imminent-Thc Com
test for the POssessIOn Of Jersey.

Gigantic Struggle Inminent-The Com
test for the Possession OF Jersey.
From the Trenton Gozet q, June ~.
There are strong indications that two interest
ing and gigantic railroad wars are likely
to grew out OF the projected lease OF the United
Companies TO the Pennsylvania Railroad. The
FIRST is a sort OF civil or internecne strife, be-
tween the two opposing factions into which the
steckholders ana managers OF the Joint comRa- a
difference between the advocates and opponents OF
the lease in the companies has become irreconcil-
able, and can now only be determined by the aroi.
trament OF the sword of the law. Those in fay0r OF
the lease fully resolved that shall be Effected
while those VINO oppose are @ as w. Pre-
the latter in the Court OF Chancery are but mild
preliminary to the terrific ana deadly contest
which will subsequently be fought in the Legis-
lature Here will inevitably be the battle ground OF
these corporate Ttans, and all the enormous re-
sources OF strategy and patronage, and the other
potent influences which have in times past been
employed to dscomft the plans OF the enemies OF
the monopoly, will now be welded by these bellge-
rent factions against each other The conflict will be
characterized by all the acrfmony and reeDtessness
which civil contests OF all sorts ever invoke. Ggan-
tic diverse interests, as well as strong profess
sional pride, will contend for the mastery. II the
legal proceedings naugurated in the Court OF Cham
ceTy shall prove the authority on which the pro-
posed lease is based to be defective, resort Will, OF
course, be had to the next Legislature to perfect
that authority. The efforts OF the assenters to the
lease TO obtain and of the dssenters to prevent this
legislation Will constitute one OF the most remark
able and exciting railroad wars tnat mas ever been
But suppose the anti-leasers triumph, both in the
courts and in the Legislature. Then the two bel
lRerents will have to combine their shattered forces
and confront a new, fresh, and most powerful an.
tagonist. The Pennsylvania Railroad Company is
resolved to have a road across New Jersey, under
its own control, with abundant facilities for the
commodation OF its through Western traffic.
IL would have secured a charter for
such road under the guise of the air
line project last wiD er, If this projected lease
had not been held out as an inducement
for suspension of 1ostilities, and on the under
standing that the le Sc cannot be consummated the
Pennsylvania Company will of course renew its at
tempts to secure charter for a new road. Could
they be prevented from accomplishing their purpose
Are the United Companies strong enough to success
fully contend with that powerful corpora
ton Hitherto both of these corporate giants
have proved successful In all their legislative
contests. But the Pennsylvania Company is
financially much stronger than the New Jersey
corporation, and has fought and won greater
battles in contests OF a wider and more ggan
tic character. The event Of war between
these hitherto puissant and veteran contestants we
do not pretend to predict; we only know that it is
certain to take place II the lease is not effected.
But will only be after the other and still more in
terestpg battle between the pellgerent factions OF
the disunted companies has been fought and deter
mined, and then only in the event of the defeat OF
the advocates Of the lease. In this preliminary
battle, the moral, If not the material. aid OF the
Pennsylvania Company will undoubtedly bs on the
side OF the leasers. But the other side will have
very strong moral support in this State, and can
marshal to their aid an array Of veteran fighting
talent which is not to be despised.