The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-10-01


The Wilkes Barre Times of last even
ing contained the following:
The first public admission of the
plans and purposes of the new snort
line railway between Hazleton and this
city was made today In an answer filed
in the prothonotary's office, which dis
closes some interesting facts. The new
line will enter this city over the Cen
trail railroad tracks and also by the
tracks of the Wilkes Barre and Wyo-
ming Valley Traction company from
Ashley. The recent action of the local
traction company in securing South
Canal street and other streets over
Rolling Mill hill. to relieve the traffic
on IaZle and Washington streets. is
now explained. as the HaZleton air line
will use its tracks.
The interesting facts were made pun
lie in the answer to an injunction Dill
filed by the Susquehanna Coal COM
pany on September 3 last. in which
the plaintiffs alleged that the Wilkes
Barre and Hazleton Railway company
did not intend to operate a railroad for
carrying passengers and property. as
required by the Act of 1865, that they
We're in a measure acting under false
pretenSes. had no right to condemn
right of way and that they be enioined
!rolll entering UPON 'ie P'aih''i i"i',''
in HaHle township; also that they be
required to make full and complete dis
closures of their plans and schemes.
The answer to the plaintiffs bill was
filed this morning and 1t contains the
following interesting paragraphs. set
ting forth it's plans.
I'VE aver that said articles of asso-
citation were entered into and letters
patent obtained 'bona-iide' and with
the purpose and intention to construct
and operate a railroad from the city of
Wilkes-B Barre to the city of Hazleton.
in accordance with Act of 4th April.
1865, and to perform all duties as
common carrier.
We deny the averment that we do
not intend to operate IL railroad for the
carriage of both persons and property.
but aver the contrary thereof to be the
truth, and that it is our plans and pur-
pose to carry both passengers and
freight.
"1o that end and to accommodate
heavy traffic we determined at the out
set. and still intend. to construct a
railroad Of iirst-claSs character in
every particular and wholly upon prop
crty acquired by purchase or in the ex-
erciSe of the right of eminent domain.
avoiding all streets and highways. and
avoiding also all crossing AT grades of
either public highways or other rail
roads.
'"rhe character of the construction is
such as to accommodate the heaviest
kind of railroad traffic and the road
bed is being graded by means of cuts.
fills and embankments. including Il
tunnel $500 feet in length: the roadbed
is to be ballasted throughout it's entire
length with stone: steel rails weighing
ninety-iive pounds to the yard are to
be used.
we are advised that whether we in
tend to use electricity in the operation
of passenger cars or to connect our
rails at the terInini in Wilkes-Bar
and HazletOn with certain street rail
way lines. is immaterial and not pelti-
nent to the present controversy, but we
admit that it is our present intention to
use to come extent land as we under
stand, we have the right to usc) cleo
tricity as a motive power in the oper-
alton of passenger cars. but we intend
also to use locomotives in our business
and were in negotiation for their pur-
chase before the filing of plaintiffs bill.
Finding it desirable but at the same
time mpracticable. if not impossible,
to reach with our line and to land our
passengers in the business centres of
the city of Wilkes Barre and of the
city of Hazleton. respectively, We have
for the further convenience of passen-
gers and by agreements duly made
prior to the filing of plaintiffs bill, and
prior also to the Act of 7th June, 1901.
arranged to connect our tracks with
the street railway operated by the Le-
high Traction company in the city of
HaZletOn and the Coalville Passenger
railroad in the city of Wilkes Barre
and if legally permissible we desire
and expect to transport our passengers
over said street railways to a convent
ent point in each of said cities. But
further we state that we have also ap-
piled to the Lehigh Valley Railroad
company and the Pennsylvania Rail
road company for connection at Halle
ton end of our route, and applied to
the Central Railroad of New Jersey
for connection at the Wilkes Barre
end, and we fully expect to make such
connections and interchange of busi-
ness with each of said railroad COM
DanieS.
I'VE deny the allegations contained
IN the remaining paragraphs of the bill
and aver generally that defendants
railroad in its much shorter distance
its construction, it's alignment, and its
grades, is much the superior of both
the present railroads operated by the
Lehigh Valley and Pennsylvania rail-
roads between the cities of Wilkes
Barre and HaZleton, and is in all re-
spects better designed to meet all pub
lie demands and the requirements Cor
freight and passenger traffic between
the said cities"
The answer is sworn to by John II.
Price. president of the Wilkes Barre
and IIaZleton Railway company, and
was filed today by his attorney, George
II. Bedford.
In this city there are many who he
licve that there is something in COM
mon between the HazletOn- Wilkes-
Barre project and the road from
Wilkes Barre 10 this city.