New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-03-16
ACTION AT HARRISBURG.
THE ATT ORNEY GENERAL FILES COMPLAINTS
AGAINST THE READING.
TIE COURT ASKED T. DECLARE THE LEASES
NULL AND VOID on CONSTITC-

TlONAL GROUNDS.
Pittsburg. Penn, March 1j.-Atorncy- General Hen
sci filed In the Dauphn County Court today his bill
in equity asking the court to declare null and void
and to cnjon pcrpetuay the deal by which the
Philadelphia and Reading Railroad Company secured
practical monopoly of the anthracite coal business.
The defendant companies required to appear in
court within fourteen days after service of notice II
appearance is not entered within fourteen days the
defendants will be liable to have the bill tahen pro
oonfesSo and decree made against them in their alb
sence. The complaints are. in substance, as follows:
That on February II, loa3, the Philadelphia ana
Reading Railroad Company leased the Lehlsn valley
by it, for a term of $50 years. The heading Kal
road Company, on February IL, 1o92 leased the Nov
Jersey Central Railroad Company and property con
trOied by il, for the same period ly certain oict
agreement. mace on February II, IL WAS agreed thNt
all the coal produced by ne Lchlsh NdIcv Coal Coi
pany should be sold 10 the Philadelphia ana Hcddlle
Coal and Iron Company. Ii was also agreed on ESD
ruary II, between the New trNcy Central haiitoau
Company, the Philadelphia anu Reading Railroad com,
pany and the Port Reading Railroad Company t tG
Philadelphia and Keadi- hnIiQaa OOnpdnS -
the ulflment OF the contract between the
Central and the Port Reading companies; ana ny
virtue. force and operation OF these sa1 hdSeI am, any
agreements. the said Phadelpia and kcaulnS dIIpau
taken possession Of and Is now operating an ue prop
erty, railroads. canals mines, cOl"lles rollle stoch'
works RICH and franchises in the state OF ie r Hd
subsidiary to the Lehieh Valley Railroad Company me
Central RalGaa ' HnRonS Gomeany and the Legh
and Wilkesbarre Railroad Company and IN part ine
W The .' lines Of the Lchigh Valley Railroad Company
for The entire or Substantially the entire length OF the
Lehigh and Susquehanna Railroad. distance OF about
1O5 miles. all in the state of Pennsylvania Inc aihS
of the Lchgh Valley Railroad Company and the Una
delphia and Reading Company are paTaii o9 ponT
q distance of about twenty five miles and between
other points and for distances in PennSylvana NJ all
points where The Iehigh Valley ana the Lchi-h ana Ss
Trepnsvyanja theSe corporation, have heretofore
efeS Y
We're at the time OF he execution Of the contracts plr
and Reading Railroad companies had parallel lines
they competed. All Of the parties to the contract com
and Philadelphia and the sale thereof
Ii IS averra and charged that tie leases and agree
ments above set forth whereby the Philadelphia and
Reading Railroad Company has. whether directly or
indrecv acquired possession of the railroads. canals
mines. mining lands collerie,, property. rolling stock
aud works Of the Leligh Coal and Navigation Com
the Central Railroad of New-Jcrsey. the Lehich and
Wilkesbarrc Coal Company. the Lehgh Valley Railroad
other corporations leased controlled 10y or sub
sidiary to these corporations are in violation Of TIE
constitution % Pennsylvana. I'M furious TO me pubic
interest. against public policy Illegal aud void.
The state therefore asks relief as follows:
Frst-That the defendants be required 10 make fill
and executed on February II and IL. le2, or by ana
between any Of them. relating 10 or connected win
Second-Tlat decree be entered declaring null and
void all the said agreements leases or contracts or
any other way related thereto.
rhiId-That the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad
Company and every other railroad or corporation con
trOlled by 1t he restrained by perpetual injunction
from In any using controlling the property
I'm Pennsylvania % the LchiCh Valley Railroad Lchlgh
Valley Coal COmpay Lehich Coal and Navigation
Company. Lehgh and Susquehanna Railroad. Central
Railroad OF NcwJersoy. Lehigh and Nilhesbdrre Coal
Company. any Of them. Of any other corporation
owned by leased TO controlled by these corpora
tons. either Of them 1900
Fourth-That a decree be entered that the Philadel-
pha and Reading Railroad Company shall deliver over
and surrender 10 the cOrpO:atOrs mentioned above hll
the railroad and other property In Pcnn>Yivania the
possession OF which has been taken directly or IN
directly by the Philadelphia ard Reading Railroad Com
plHy In pursuance OF the leases, contra l. and agree
ments executed on February II and l., or under or
in pursuance Of other leases. contracts agree
collateral with or in way related thereto
Fifth-That such other and further relief may be
had In the premises the nature Of the case shall re-
quire and to your hOnOrs may seem meet.
A few DAYS ago the Attorney General learned Of n
change In the officers Of the Port Reading Company.
Mr.. Mcleod having withdraw and citizens Of New
Jersey having been substituted I'm the management.
Whether the Philadelphia and Reading and Lehigh
Valley are actually competing companies contem-
plated by the Constitution is the main question to be
determined, and the case will be brought 10 a speedy
conclusion Ii j. said to be probable that the Phila
delpia and Reading will contend at the Port Reading
!. an Independent corporation and only friendly 10
the former George Nauman. Of Lancaster. will be
associated with the Attorney General In the case.