Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-07
IN THE COURTS AGAIN
The Pittsburg Traction Company Once
More After Its Rival,
CLAIMING GRANT STREET RIGHTS.
E. II. Hukill Proves His Title to Very
Valuable Oil Leases.
FREIGHT MOVING ON THE B. & 0. ROAD

The war between the Pittsburg and Du-
quesne Traction Companies has again gotten
both companies into court. Yesterday the
former filed bill in equity against the lat
ter, to prevent the Duquesne from running
its cars on Grant street.
1t is stated that the Central Passenger
Railway Company and the Pittsburg, Oak
land and East Liberty Passenger Railway
Company are owners of the right of way on
Grant street, between Fourth avenue and
Fifth avenue. Together they constructed
double tracks on the street, bearing the
costs equally, and for years run their cars
on the street. For some months the Central
Traction Company has been running cable
cars on the street, having altered the tracks.
Recently. it is stated, the Central company
assumed to make some sort of an agreement
with the Duquesne Traction Company, un-
der which the Duquesne company is to run
its cars over the tracks on Grant street.
The plaintiffs were not party to the agree
ment, and will receive no compensation for
the use of their right of way. Their rights,
they assert, have been violated by this agree
ment and it should be declared void.
1t also stated that the Duquesne Trac-
tion Company is about to operate its
line on Grant street, from Diamond street
to Sixth avenue, to Wood street, to Fourth
avenue and to Grant street. None of the
railways, however, leased 10 the Duquesne
Company has any franchise or right of way
on the streets named, and the Duquesne
Company's occupancy of them will be with
out authority of law.
AN INJUNCTION ASKED FOR.
The court is asked to grant an injunction
to restrain the Duquesne Traction Company
from operating its line on Grant street, be-
tween Fourth and Fifth avenues, and to de-
cree that its operation on the streets named
is contrary to law and that the agreement
between the Duquesne and Central Traction
Companies he declared null and void.
Another matter that is worrying the man
agement of the Duquesne> considerably is
the question of employees to operate its cars,
when they are ready to start their road.
More than 600 applications have been re-
ceived by Superintendent Rice for the posi-
tions of motor-men and conductors. When
it is considered that only 100 men will be
needed, and they must of necessity be ex-
perienced ones, Mr.. Rice's position is per-
picking one. The Superintendent was seen
yesterday by a DISPATCH reporter, to
whom he said:
81 do not know what we will do, exactly.
know that we have received more than six
times as many applications as we need. or
course, all say they are competent men, thor
oughly acquainted with the business. Some
OF them are employed on the other electric
roads in the city, and some are from other
cities.
"Of course, we will do the best we can, and
select the men we consider the best suited.
l do not believe we will have any trouble.
1t will not be necessary for the men to know
the route at first. They will soon learn
that. If the men are competent to do the
work we will be satisfied"
A START IN ABOUT TWO WEEKS.
Mr.. Rice thinks the company will be
ready to start its cars in about two weeks.
The tracks are about all down, and the wires
are up all through the East End. He could
not make anv definite statement in regard
to the starting of the road, saying that the
preparatory work was being pushed as
rapidly as possible, and that when it was
finished the cars would be put in motion.
In relation to putting on green men to
operate the cars, an employe Of the Pleas
ant Valley Company said: ''I am afraid it
will not be as easy az Mr.. Rice thinks.
How is a green man to know the route of
the Duquesne road, or how is q man that
never handled a car TO be expected to
operate motor? Why, it takes some men
here a week to learn the business, and some
DO not learn it then. 1t looks to me as
though they will have considerable trouble
teaching their employees their business"