The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-11-30

Local Delaware and Hudson men are
not disposed to give much credence
to the statement coming from Lehigh
Valley sources and printed in Mon
days Tribune to the effect that the
G.ehigh Valley was to absorb the
Scranton and Will;es-Barre branch of
the Delaware and Hudson.
No one who was seen would say
that the thing was not possible, but
all agreed that it would surprise them
very much if a corroboration of the
story came from headquarters.
Such a move would be directly an
tagonistic to the policy of the Della
aware and Hudson it was argued. The
road has always fought against hav-
ing an outlet blocked UP or incon-
venienced and should it dispose of
the Wilkes Barre and Scranton line
it would be doing this very thing
for it would be subject to another
road and. in measure, at its mercy,
in the matter of reaching it's principal
market, Albany ard the adjacent ter
ritury with its LuZerne county out
put.
The Delaware and Hudson road, it
was further stated. is not suffering "A
gradual contraction of It's operations.
as many have been led to suppose.
ON A PAYING BASIS.
While its coal properties are not what
they were. they are still in good con
diticn and workable on a paying basis
for years to come; besides other prop
erty is being secured and when it is
deemed necessary and expedient it
will be opened up anu developed.
The haulaGe deal with the Erie was
not a permanent arrangement it is
said, and "a very broad intimation was
given that it would cease with Z trans
formation of the gravity into a steam
road
Authority was given to make the
statement that the Delaware and Hud-
so1 would not abandon its right of way
over the mountain.
The Lehigh Valley was not long ago
offered traCkage rights over the Della
ware ana Hudson from Wilkes Barre
to this city. The offer was made at
time when the I.ehigh Valley was
contemplating, and, in fact, working
ON route of its own to reach here.
The very apparent purpose of the Of
fer and the belief of the Lehigh Val
ley people that they We're in posi-
tion to reject it caused it to remain
unacceptable
Later. when the Lehign Valley failed
in its effort 70 get road of its own
through to this city. and offered to
renew the negotiations for traCkage
rights over the Delaware and Hud-
son, the latter company politely in
formed the Valley people that 1t was
Just then in need of all it's trackage
facilities anl Could not for a moment
think of disposing of any of them.
FROM AN OFFICIAL.
The Wilkes Barre Times printed the
following interview with an official of
the Lehigh Valley line in that city:
The Lehigh Valley has long had its
eye on Il Scranton terminal. but up to
the present time has not felt warrant
ed in going to the expense of building
separate or independent line line
which would cost fabulous sum. The
road is and always has been progress
sive and it would not surprise me to
pick up my paper some day and read
of our people buying a branch from
here To Scranton.
Il have already heard rumors to
that effect, though they did not come
from anyone sufficiently posted to
speak with authority regarding so ex-
| tensive purchase. believe, however,
that the Lehigh Valley will some day
get into Scranton, and that before Il
great while"
Only the inability to seure suit
able site in the heart of the city has
! kept the company out of Scranton.