Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-29
SUES THE COMMISSIONERS
WIN. W. RILEY, FISH WHARF
MERCHANT, ASKS INJUNCTION.
Says City Fathers Are Taking Ad-
vantage Of Their Own Wrongs to
Get Possession. Of Property.

William ". Riley. tenant Of one Of the
fish wharves on Water street between
18th and 18th streets southwest, today ap-
piled to the District Supreme Court for
an injunction to prevent the District Com
missoners from attempting to eject him
from the property, which he has leased
since 1906 He also asks that the Com
missioners be required to specifically per-
form the contract In his lease for re-
neWal. which, 1t is alleged, they have de-
clined to do.
According to the petition, filed through
Attorney William s. Mattingly. Mr.. Riley
tells the court that the term of his present
lease expired March I. 1908. but provided,
he declares. the right. of renewal. Dur
ing the first years of his tenacy he ex-
pended. he says, $1,000 in improving
the property.
March IL. 1903. fell OH Sunday. but the
next day. Mr.. Riley says he took a check
for $500, the amount of quarters rent
in advance, to the office of the collector OF
taxes. At this Office ..-e check was taken
and he was given the usual certificate 10
be presented to the assessor, where the
usual receipt was withheld until re-
newal lease could be made out.
Wanted to Renew Lease.
Mr.. Riley says he gave notice of his de-
sire 10 TeNcW Tie lcdSC, anu " do toIu tIioN
it would be all right He was directed to
return in a few days for the necessary
paper On his second visit. he says. he
was told the District authorities had not
had time to prepare the new lease, but
soon would do so.
Similar responses were received by him
on the occasion of other calls at the Dis
trct building and at no time. he declares.
was his right to have renewal of the
1nnc yn1 1f,H,
July II he says he received thirty day
notice to quit the premises. containing
an allegation that he had violated some
covenants In the lease. He denies that
except that he did not surrender posses
sion Of the premises at the expiration Of
the term last March.
In Family for Years.
Mr.. Riley tells the court that the prop
erty has for many years been known as
Rileys wharf and for more than sixty
years has been In the possession Of a
member of his family. 1t was supposed
they owned the property until the litiga-
ton involving the question of title. known
as the Potomac fats case, was decided in
favor Of the United States. Since then
the Rileys have leased the property.
Mr. Riley expresses the Belief that the
Commissioners would have executed the
desired renewal but for the fact that they
had conceived plan for the improvement
of the river front. which they doubtless
had some faint hope Congress would APP
prove. and thought themselves justified
in taking advantage of their own wrongs
to get possession of this property"
The Commissioners, 1t Is alleged. are
about to institute proceedings before
justice OF the peace to GUST Mr.. Riley, and
unless the court intervenes the property.
he fears, will be taken from him. Mr..
Riley deposited with the clerk of the
court check for 500 to cover the rent
due the Commissioners since March 10.