The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-08-08
RAILROAD WAR ENDED.
Distractions on the Central Rail-
road Removed, aud Lehigh Val-
ley Tracks to Be Laid.

The long-drawn out hght of the Central
Railroad and the Lshigh Valley over a
grade crossing on the Elizabeth branch
Of the Central Railroad came TO close
yesterday. Today the Central Railroad
is clearing up its tracks and removing the
distractions at what Is known as Fort
p. Y" near wheeler's Point, prepara-
tory to laying frogs at the intersection of
the two ro9ds.
This fight, which is unique in all its
phases, aud the full importance OF which
few persons understand, began almost
two years ago. The Lehigh Valley Rail-
road, which joins the Pennsylvania Rail
road at Metuehen and runs over the
Pennsylvania tracks from there to Jer-
sey City, obtained possession of some
Co Communipaw. II was then seen that by
building line from South Plalnfeld 10
the Communipaw property direct route
could be obtained which would give the
road an outlet into New York City inde-
pendent OF any other line.
THE GRADE CROSSINGS.
In the construction OF this line it WAS
necessary TO cross several railroads,
which was done on elevated structures.
The Central Railroad had what is known
as the mosquito brancn" or the Eliza
beth Railroad. on the. meadows, and tie
grade. Accordingly work was begun on
It. hut the Central people, forseeing the
Lehigh Valley Company's obje CT,
DISTRACTED sthe work as much as
possible and finally carried the matt er
into the courts. When they heard that
the Lehigh Valley was at work at the
crossing It constructed fortress at the
point Of intersection. Huge boulders
weighing perhaps half a ton were
dumped on the tracks and two engines
were drawn there aud their wheels taken
off, number OF fiat cars were also de-
rallied at the same point, and the cross ing
was made impassable.
This was almost two years ago. and the
Lehigh Valley asked Judge DeDue of
Newark TO appoint commissioners TO instl-
tute condemnation proceedings. This
was done and the commissioners awarded
sl2 900 damages to the Central X railroad
for the right Of crossing. An appeal was
taken from this. and a struck jury before
Judge Depue awarded the Central Com
pany $50, 900 damages.
Under this decision the Lehigh Valley
Railroad attempted to lay its frogs on
June 14 last, and another railroal fight
took place. the particulars of which were
published In full. The Central Railroad
coptended that the money awarded had
been paid into the Court of Chancery
and not into the Circuit Court, where the
decision was obtained. and that rs soon as
the crossing could be made.
FIGHT NO. q
Then ensued another Legal fight before
Chancellor McGiIl. The Lehigh Valley
Railroad Company, through its counsel,
Thomas n. McCarter, claimed that as the
Central Trust Company of New York
city held big blanket mortgage on the
Central Railroads plant, 1t could not tell
who the money should be paid to, the
| Circuit Court, the Court of Chancerys the
Central Railroad or the Central Trust
Company This problem Chancellor Nc
] Gill was asked to decide, and last Satur-
day he mede an order directing that the
money be paid to the Central Railroad
direct the Central Trust Company hav-
ing given its assent. This was done yes
| terday and papers In the case served on
the Central Railroad. which at once fe-
gan TO remove all of its distractions and
the trac ks will be laid in few days. Ali
the balan ce OF the Lehigh Valley line be-
tween South Plainfield and Communi-
paw has been laid, and only about one
hundred feet near the crossing In ques-
tion is to be laid before the road is COM
pleted.
Tne principal objection to a grade
crossing made by the Central Railroad
was on account OF the great danger, as
the fogs ON that section OF the meadows
are very bad at times.
The Pennsylva MIA Railroad also pro-
poses 10 run snort une ulfect 1Eou
South Waverly to Jersey City for its fast
train and freight. II also seeks to cross
the Central Railroads line at grade, aud
as the Lehigh Valley road wants TO Law
six tracks and the Pennsylvania four, 1t
is claimed by the Central Railroad that
with such network OF tracks to cross
the dan ger is very great.
The action OF the courts, it is claimed
by them, not only lays the way open for
the l. ehigh Valley, but as that and the
Pennsy lvania are on the most friendly
terms, favors the way for the Pennsyl-
vania crossing. There is, therefore, a
prospect of another big railroad fight
when the Pennsylvania gets ready to lay
its tracks.