The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-05-07

In behalf of the state. Attorney Gen.
eral Nolan began an action i'm the SUI
preme court day before yesterday
against the Montana Railway company
and tho Butte, Anaconda & Pacific
Railroad company. which were about
to close a contract by the terms of
which the Butte. Anaconda & Pacific
company was to lease for a term of
years h yards known as the Mon
tana Union yards i'm Anaconda and the
line of roa from the Montana Union
station in this city to stuart.
The public does not generally under
stand what property is meant when
mention is made of the Montana rail-
way-it is a part of the property that
is usually known as the Montana
Union.
An Unknown Road.
Years ago. when Anaconda's founda-
tions were laid. a high line was built
in Butte from wha is known as the
Parrot spur to many properties on nj
n hill. A road was also built from
Stuart to this city and a freight yard
was equipped here. These branches
never were the Montana Union. they
were organized as the Montana rail-
way-at this time that railroad has an
organization distinct from the Mon
lana Union. The Montana railway
never had rolling stock of it's own-it
was operated always by the Montana
Union The lease the Butte. Anaconda
& Pacific proposed to make-and would
have closed already but for the court
observation-disclosures the branch from
Stuart and the yard in this city.
What II Means.
In the first place. the Butte, Ana
conda & Pacific must have more yard
room-it can secure that for many
years under the lease. That is, per-
haps, the factor that chiefly concerns
the railroad company itself. But in
this proposed lease are items that in
timately concern the citizens of Ana
conda. The most important item is an
agreement with the Northern Pacific
and the Great Northern hat from all
points. east and west. the rate on
freight and express matter. as well as
for through passengers. shall be the
same for Anaconda that it is for Butte.
Thus, If the lease stands, the mer-
chants and business men of Anaconda
will have a distinct gain. They will
be rid of a charge which has always
been extremely vexing to them, one
that in many ways has formerly put
them at a disadvantage. This item it
self will be of great significance. as
every person in this city realizes who
in business matters has been constant
ly subjected to the extra charge 10 this
city over the rates to Butte.
1t is also in the contract that, with
out variation, during the life of the
lease the through rains of the North
ern Pacific n the Great Northern
shall run INTO Anaconda as at present,
under the arrangements whicn, greatly
TO this city's advantage, went into e.
feet several weeks ago. Indeed, re
Standard learns on highest authority
that a plan. which it is confidently he
lieved can be carried out. is now pend
ing whereby the passenger trains On
the Short Line from Ogden to Silver
Bow, will run to Anaconda. has Put
ting this city Directly on the line ef'
all the transcontinental roads that
operate in Montana.
As to Local Service.
The present excellent local service
between this city and Butte will be
fully sustained IL the proposed con-
tract goes into effect. but there will be
changes in the details. For instance,
rival trains will not leave this city for
Butte at nearly the same hour each
morning: rival trains will not leave
Butte at 5 o'clock each evening for
Anaconda. A single train will do the