Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-06
MOVES TO ABANDON
ALEXANDRIA LINE
Mays Plan Also Would End
ArIington-Fairfax Street
Car Service Here.

The Public Utilities Commission wa,
notified late yesterday afternoon by
r. L. May, sole owner of the Mount
Vernon, Alexandria 81 Washington Rail.
way Co., which operates street car sery-
ice between this city and Alexandria
that he will abandon operation Of the
line within the next few months. Mays
decision carries with it the abandon
ment Of operations of the Arlington
Fairfax Railway Co., in SO far as oper-
alton Of that line within the city is
concerned, as the latter line uses the
tracks and terminal of the Alexandria
road.
May announced last night that he
will also make application to the Vir-
ginia State Corporation Commission
within a few days for permit to ahan-
don operations within Virginia, which.
if granted, will mean the end of the
Alexandria street car line.
The City Council of Alexandria, at
q session late yesterday and before
Mays final decision had become known,
unanimously adopted resolution OPP
posing the abandonment of the line and
indicating that the council on behalf
oil ALEXANDRA ClLlICDS. WUulQ llELlJ bllC
matter before the Public Utilities Com
mission and Federal authorities and
before the Virginia State Corporation
Commission.
AIl-Day Meeting Held.
Mays decision to file for abandon
ment was reached late yesterday fol-
lowing an all-day meeting with dlrec-
tors of the Arlington Fairfax Railway
No question nf whether not
that line, which is owned by citizens
of the two counties, could bear one
half of an estimated cost of 100000
necessary to reconstruct tracks and
build a new terminal in Washington as
would be required by Federal Mall de-
velopment plans if the line remains in
the city.
The meeting, which was attended by
II directors of the Arlington Fairfax
line, headed by DR.. J. H. Parmalee, first
vice president ended with an agree
ment being reached whereby the di-
rectors would go in with MIR. May in
the abandonment move within WASH
ington and would not oppose that move
in any way.
Another factor that influenced the
Alexandria roadowner in his decision
was the notice given him several days
ago by the Public Utilities Commission
to the effect that he would not be
allowed to cross Pennsylvania avenue
with the street cars when the rerouting
was done. This left May with the pros
pect of establishing terminal near
Fourteenth and Water streets southwest
as the only alternative.
Bill 10 Be Introduced.
A bill to be presented to Congress
to reimburse him for his tracks, ter
minal and franchise to operate within
the District of Columbia. carrying with
Il an appropriation of S250,000, has al
ready been drafted. May stated last
night, and will be introduced as soon
as it has been reviewed by MS at
torney.
The Arlington Fairfax line will con-
tinue operations, it is understood. max
ing Rosslyn the main terminal instead
of running a branch line to that point
as at present A meeting of the direc-
tors of that line has been called for
Monday afternoon, at which time spe-
cific plans for future operations will be
made DR.. Parmalee, in statement
last night, said the line would make
provisions to adequately provide trans
portation for all of its present patrons
in any event
May has already announced that in
the event of disseminating operation OF
the street car line he would be ready to
provide adequate transportation by bus
on the Alexandria. Bancroft and WASH
ington Rapid Transit Co, which he also
owns. He will provide "a additional
coaches. to be Of 38-passenger capacity
each, to augment the 36 buses now in
service on the line, he has stated.
Discrimination Charged.
Two days ago charges Of discrimina-
ton against virginians were made
against the District Public Utilities
Commission by A. K. Shipe, attorney
for the Arlington Fairfax Railway Co.
and DR.. Parmalee in statement to The
Star.
According TO Mr.. Shipe, who spoke in
the presence of and with the confirma-
ton of DR.. Parmalee. Gen. Mason M.
Patrick. chairman, and Harleigh H.
Hartman, a member of the Utilities
Commission, advised the two railways
that they must repair the right of way
from Highway Bridge into Washington
and that they must abandon the
Twelfth street and Pennsylvania ave-
nue. terminal.
The Mount Vernon, Alexandria d
washington Railway was purchased by
Mr.. May about a year ago for $262,5O