Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-09-10
TROLLEY MUST co
The District Commissioners Will
Tak Positive Action.
ONLY AWAITING nc mr.. ROSS RETURN
Consultation Today With the At
tornsysMr: Thomas.
MAJOR powell IN EARNEST

When the'board of Commissioners meet
again Major Powell, lit is understood. will
make a motionto the effect that the Com
missioners Immediately remove the illegal
trolley poles, and if one other Commission
er votes with him (and it is expected that
one of them wilD the trolley poles, which
have been illegally obstructing the streess
ever since the Both of June last, will be
pulled down without delay.
1t was stated exclusively in The Star Of
August ID that the Commissioners had in
structed the law officers of the District to
suspend operations, against the trolley.
This was denied at the time but since then
no move has been made against the troll
ley although it has been obstructing the
streets just as much as ever. and there has
been equally as much law to continue the
prosecutions, which, have heretofore result
ed in a victory for the District.
Will Wait No Longer.
About ten days ago Major Powell. it is
understood, called the matter up, and said
ne thought something should be done. He
had read an interview published in The
Star with Commissioner Ross, in which the
latter said he was satisfied that the Eek
ington railroad people would shortly COM
ply with the law When Major Powell read
that he thought Commissioner Ross had
some Information of positive character
concerning the future of the road, which
he would announce to the board at its next
meeting. But the explanation came not,
and however well satisfied the Commission
erS may be that the lexington railroad Will
shortly change it's motive power along that
portion of its. road operated by overhead
wires. they will wait no longer, but take
decisive action just as soon as all of the
Commissioners are present. The letter of
Secretary Gray heretofore published in
The Starr intimates that the change would
shortly occur but it Is altogether too in
definite. They are going to work now and
comply with the law.
When MIR. Ross Returns.
Yesterday they called the attorney for the
District before them and discussed the mat
ter in all Gifts many aspects. 1t was
stated today, as reason for the delay,
that the CornnissicI ers were unwilling to
harass the road during the excursion sea-
son, when the travel was the heaviest, and
many of the suburban residents would be
handicapped by the slow service of horse
cars. But now that the excursion season
is over the authorities are unwilling that
the law shall be further violated. and when
Commissioner Ross returns prompt action
will be takepte In fact it 10 even limited
that the postbonement of the case now be-
fore the Police court was agreed 10 by the
authorities with the understanding that
in the matter 1t was stated today by one
who is familiar with the case that the
reason the board is delaying action until
Commissioner Hess returns is because there
is division of, sentiment between Com
missicners TrueSdell and Powell, and a
settlement can only be reached through the
vote of Commissioner Ross.
Subject Discussed This Afternoon.
The discussion over the trolley matter was
renewed this afternoon. The attorney for
the District was sent for, and when he ar
rived was ushered into the private room Of
the EngineetoCofhmissione Commissioner
Trnesdell was sent fer and when he en-
tered there the doors We're all closed.
and a messenger sta toned in front of
them with Instructions to allow 10 one to
enter even the reception room of Maj.
Powell, which is separate and-distinct from
his private Office. A loud conversation
could easily be. overheard, and the Com
m!ssioners fortified themselves against any
such thing occurring.
1t is understood that the whole case was
gene over again and thoroughly discussed.
The attorney for the District explained
that there was ample law to proceed
against the trolley road for obstructing
the streets, and further that the previous
action of the court did not prevent the
Commissioners from taking down the troll
ley poles If they saw fit to do SO. The
hearing lasted several hours. The Com
missioners. however, declined TO state what
had transpired when questioned by Il Star
reporter, and the attorney for the District,
MI. s. 7. Thomas was equally silent.