The Washington times., 1905-03-31
NONORA|L BLOCKED
BY TAKOhA PARK
Council and Representatives
Exchange determinations.
PERMIT HAS BEEN HELD UP
Questions of Tax and Rental Referred
to Attorney-No Action Until
Opinion Is Delivered.
PERMIT HAS BEEN HELD UP

No work will be done on the Baltimore
and Washington Transit Company's
proposed monorail line within the con-
fines of Takoma Park at least until next
Wednesday.
This was the unanimous decision oil
the town council of that suburb last
night. It sustained Mayor Kinnear in
his action of Tuesday in stopping gang
of workInen from tearing up the old
trolley tracks because they did not have
a permit.
A Hot Time.
Considerable warmth developed. The
meeting was held in the home of Ben
iamin c.. Davis, the town clerk.
William Z. Mellen, representing the
transit company, declared that the resi-
dents of Takoma Park had never had
ANYTHING but kicks and abuse" for the
company, and similar hot shot was fired
back by E. NJ. Douglass and other coun-
cilmen.
Trouble was first stirred up by the
reading of a letter from Williams,
Thomas & Williams, of Baltimore, coun-
sci for the company. This opened with
the statement that
THE Baltimore and Washington Tran
sit Company of Maryland is under its
charter about to repair and reconstruct
its line of road within Takoma Park in
order that it may Immediately put the
same in condition for operation.
Permit Asked For.
1--WE suppose there will be no objection
to the work and that the proper permit
to reconstruct the road, so far as the
same occupies the highways of Takona
Park will be issued"
Further in their letter the attorneys
SAID:
I'VE are Informed that you claim the
taxes due upon said road to Takoma
Park are in default
They also recalled the statement pre-
Tiousfy made that Takoma Park is re-
spoDSlble for a monthly rental of $50
from the time IN 1903 when the road was
operated by the town.
Trouble in Council.
This statement raised a storm in the
little council, as did also two quotations
of authorities tending to show that the
State charter gave the road the right
10 go through Talloma Park, whether
the citizens desired it or not
Mr.. Douglass moved that the letter
and its contained tax and water ques-
tons be referred to the towns council
IN Rockville. The motion carried
Mr.. Mellen made every effort to have
the coIhcilmen agree to allow the work,
inaugurated SO suddenly a few days ago
and just as quickly stopped TO proceed
Several propositions Were made-among
them that the laborers be permitted to
take UP Only one rail, leaving the other
for the monorail line: and that the com
pany furnish bond to insure leaving
the streets In good repair.
Work Prohibited.
The sentiment of Takoma's council
was in favor Of prohibiting all work
until the exact status of the case is de-
termined by the towns legal advisers.
Councilman e. E. Blodgett finally en-
bodied this in motion, which was
passed without dissent A committee
was appointed to confer with Mr. Mellen
and report at a special meeting of the
council to be held next Tuesday night
In explaining the plans Of the Balti-
more and Washington Transit Company
Mr.. Melle1 said that the road was tc
be constructed on the American Mono
rail Company's system. He was closely
questioned as to the feasibility of the
\ plan, and admitted that the company
had no lines in active operation IN this
country.
He said the intention was to build
the first five-mile section through Ia
koma. The other end Of the line, to be
known as the Patapsco railroad. to run
out OF Baltimore, was already in the
preliminary stages.
Asked about The service which it was
proposed to give, particularly as to con.
nectons with ether lines into Washing
ton. Mr.. Meilen refused to divuIge his
company's scheme, but declared that a
plan was being matured for entering the
District.
The old Wildwood controversy came
In for numerous references. but Mr.
MelIen said that this company never
was connected with that erstwhile pleas
ure resort, and never would be.