Evening star., 1936-03-15
PENNSY ACQUIRES
ROUTE TO BOWIE
viii Use w., B. & A, Link
for Direct Service to
Race Track.

The Pennsylvania Railroad yester-
day acquired about seven miles OF
roadbed OF the abandoned Washing
ton, Baltimore & Annapolis Electric
Line for the purpose of commencing
direct train service to the Bowie race
track. and by so doing dealt blow
to plans for converting the roadbed
into an arterial highway connecting
Washington and Baltimore.
Acquisition of the right-of-way was
effected in an agreement with the w.
B. g. A. Bondholders' Committee and
was revealed by Jesse r. Bowen of
Semmes. Bowen and Semmes of Balti-
more, counsel to the committee, after
railroad officials had promised race
track authorities to institute the di-
rect service by April when the Spring
meeting opens.
The portion of the roadbed pur-
chased is from Odenton to Academy
Junction to the race track. Bowen
would not disclose the terms of sale,
although he said that the formal
transfer would not be made for two
or three months"
Officials to Change Plans.
Meanwhile Perry Boswell, president
of the Prince Georges County Board
of Commissioners and Commissioners
Blandford and Cockey, upon being in
formed Of the deal. moved to recast
their plans for the proposed highway.
The entire w. B. & A. right of way
had been sought and plans for the
highway had progressed to the point
where the Prince Georges County dele
CATION in the General Assembly was
preparing to seek the necessary legis-
lattve approval during the special ses-
sion.
Ihe commissioners asserted, how
ever, that efforts to obtain the high
way would not be relaxed, although
new route would have to be de-
Vised around the Bowie section.
Capt. Cockey appeared astonished
when told Of the Pennsylvania pur-
chase agreement. That's what we
get for going to sleep on it. 1t looks
like somebody has muffed the ball."
he observed.
Citizens Asked Route.
The movement for constructing a
highway over the w. B. g. A. route
was strated actively several months
ago, when citizens associations and
residents along the right of way Pc
titioned the county commissioners to
take action in that direction. Several
conferences were held with State
Roads Commission officials and DR..
Homer S. Tabler, commission chair
man, subsequently gave his approval
to the general idea, and said he would
seek to incorporate the project in a
new road program if the Legislature
appropriated necessary funds accord
ing to county commissioners.
Last week Tabler advised the COM
missioners that he had ordered an
inspection of the road bed with the
view of preparing specific plans
The Pennsylvania Railroad long
has regarded direct train service to
the race track as an important objec-
tive, according to George Smith, di-
vision superintendent, at Baltimore.
The Pennsylvania formerly used
buses to shuttle racing fans to the
track from Bowie station. The rail-
road company did not believe it was
practical, it was pointed out. to at
tempt to institute direct service so
long as the w. B. g. A. was in opera
ton, but since its abandonment last
Fall negotiations have been under
in yzrfn ox-fr
ment.
Smith Declines to Talk.
Smith declined to discuss the nego-
tiations and referred ali questions to
Vice President R. c. Morse in Phila-
delphia, who conSummated the deal
Little engineering work is required
to get the road in shape for the heavy
passenger trains, it was explained,
since the Pennsylvania and the B. g.
Q. have used the w B. & A. tracks
in freight shipments. Maintenance
crews only are needed for the prepara-
ton of the tracks it was said
The first definite indication that the
roadway had been acquired was seen
Thursday when John B. Boyle, gen.
eral manager of the Southern Mary
land Agricultural and Fair Associa-
ton, operator of the Bowie track, was
submitted a schedule of the train
service to be commenced April /.
Boyle today expressed himself as be-
ing highly pleased with the service in
dicated by the schedule. 1t would re-
suit in larger crowds attending the
races. he said.