Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-10
TREASURY BRINGS
VIRGINIA TROLLEY
ISSUE TO A HEAD
Moves to Tear Down Termi-
nal as Company Plans to
Seek Reimbursement.
FIGHT MAY BE CARRIED
TO CONGRESS AND COURTS
Owner Asks Injunction to Prevent
Government From Modest
ing Rails.

While the Mount Vernon, Alexandra
d Washington Railway made plans TO.
cay to take its fight for reimbursement
for its tracks in the new Federal Tri-
angle to the courts and Congress. the
Treasury Department moved to tea,
down the railway terminal and exca
vate. in at least one spot, a Federal
building foundation around the tracks.
Following conference between Gov
eminent and railway officials yester-
day afternoon at the Treasury, it was
decided by Robert L. May, owner of the
railway TO attempt to hold on to his
rails through court action, even though
the Government steam shovels are
eating into the ground around his
tracks for new Federal structures. He
Is contending FOR pay for his loss.
Seeks Reimbursement.
Mr.. May. through his attorney.
Gardner L. Boothe, has decided to
press for hearing on the injunction
filed months ago by the railway. which
would prevent the Government from
molesting his rails until compensation
is paid for the loss to the line. Such
compensation could not DE paid out Of
appropriated funds. it was held by Con-
troller General McCarl, and compensa-
ton thus must come from Congress. if
the railway is to be reimbursed. Con-
gress meets for the short session in
December.
May feels reasonably certain that he
can get the injunction granted. but Il
Will be opposed in court by the Treas
ury Department. The injunction petit
ton was filed months ago, but has never
been heard by the court.
Action is being taken. however. BY the
Treasury Department to clear away the
site of the Post Office Department and
plans are under way to tear down the
railway terminal at Twelfth and Penn
sylvania avenue. Formal notice has
been served TO vacate the building Sep
TENDER %. Mr.. May said that at the
Treasury conference yesterday it was
indicated that the terminal will have
to be vacated within 60 days. Demoli-
ton OF the terminal. it was learned, IS
included in the specifications for which
bids will be opened September Is.
Two alternate bids have been asked
OF contractors for the excavation Job
one of them providing for excavation of
the entire site, including the railway
tracks, and the other, providing for ex-
cavation Of all the site except the
tracks. leaving the tracks themselves
with excavation on both sides.
It was considered likely in view of
Mays decision to press for the injunc-
ton that the Treasury would either
have to wait until the judge gave his
decision on the injunction before let
ting contract or would 60 ahead
and let contract to dig around the
tracks. The specifications. it was
learned. call for maintaining the right
of-way for 100 days. within which time.
it was evident, the Treasury expects
there will be some conclusion to the
matter
May, and his attorney, Mr.. Boothe,
were of the opinion today that moth
ing will prevent the eventual abandon
ment OF the entire trolley line, unless
the committees representing Washing
ton and Alexandria trade bodies are
able to secure permission for him to
reroute his cars across Pennsylvania
avenue with a terminal to the north
of the Avenue.
May reiterated his stand which he
took when the matter first came UP
that he had no desire to abandon the
line if a suitable terminal could be
provided, but that he felt it would be
useless to try to operate his cars if they
were not allowed to come any further
north than Constitution avenue, for
nerly B street. or possibly required to
stop in the vicinity of the Treasury
Department.
The street car owner who also OWNS
the bus line to Alexandria. will be faced
with the necessity of purchasing about Ia
additional large passenger buses if tn:
trolley line is abandoned. These buses
however, would only be used during
periods of peak traffic, and for that
reason he would rather retain the street
car line. 1t is felt that even though
the rails are taken out of the Federal
triangle a line will probably be con-
tinued through 1882 because of the an
ticipated traffic during the Bicentennial
year.
Legislation May Be Necessary.
Legislation by Congress and court
action will both probably be necessary
before the matter is finally adiudicated
Mr. May stated this morning that while
figure of 100000 for his loss has beer
mentioned from time to time, it will
really be matter for the courts to de-
eide exactly how much his line will BIZ
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