Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1942-10-21
Streetcar Rails
In Alexandria
loco as Scrap
Prince Georges Gives
Two Iron Bridges in
Nearby Salvage Drive

Authorization for salvaging of TO-
600 feet of abandoned streetcar rails
In Alexandria was the latest de-
velopment today in the continuing
scrap collection drives of nearby
Maryland and Virginia areas. III
The Board of Prince Georges
County Commissioners yesterday
agreed to deed iron bridges across
the Patuxent River near Central
avenue and over Sellwon road In
Evansville district to the Government
for salvage purposes. HI
In Montgomery County, the Board
of County Commissioners was I'M
formed that about 100000 pounds of
scrap collected on three Sundays
has netted the County Civilian De-l
tense Council about 5000 ~
Meanwhile, scrap dealers cons
tlnued to remove the estimated
100000 pounds of salvaged metal
raised in the Arlington County
drive. The task is now about half
completed and several weeks may
be required before the scrap heap
at Wilson boulevard and Courts
house road is all carried away. III
Council O. KS Removal. Il,
Removal of the Alexandria streets
car rails was authorized at a meet-
ing of the City Council last night.
The weight of the metal is esti-i
mated at 100000 pounds. They lie
along II blocks of King street, from
Union Station to Royal street, and,
four blocks in loop around Royal
Prince and Cameron streets.
The rails have not been used
since 1882 when the former Mount
Vernon, Alexandria & Washington
Electric Co. sold its transit fran-t'
chise to the Alexandria, Bancroft 81 I
Washington Transit Co. Il.
At the time of the transaction ali
but the existing tracks were re-
moved because the streets now in
volved had then just been paved.
The old streetcar firm paid the city
S., 500 plus the donation of a right
of way for what is now Common
wealth avenue, to defray costs of
future removal. r
Il
The city, however, will not stand
the cost of removing the rails. The
council last night acceded to a re-
quest of the War Production Board
to donate the rails to the Metals
Reserve Co. of the Reconstruction
Finance Corp. The Government
will pay the cost of removal and
repaving, it was stipulated
Alexandria also announced the
donation by the city of 5O-year- old
horse drawn fire engine to the scrap
campaign. A,
Fire Chief James NJ Duncan. jr.,
said that the engine has not been
used since 1917.
The steamer is now in the city
shop. 1t is believed to contain six
| tons.
In letter to the Prince Georges
commissioners meeting yesterday at
Upper Marlboro, the WPB asked
that the Patuxent River bridge be
turned over to the Government. 1t
was stated there are from IS to 20
tons of wrought iron in the span,
which is unsafe and not now in use.
The commissioners agreed to deed
the bridge along with the Sellman
Road Bridge, provided the Govern
ment, and not a junk dealer,
salvages the structures.
The commissioners previously had
authorized the salvaging of the old
Priest Bridge at the intersection of
Grain and Defense highways.
Judge Brault Reports.
The report of the proceeds OF
Montgomery County's collection
drives was made at yesterdays
county commissioners meeting III
Rockville by Judge Albert E. Brault,
director of civilian defense.
The county AFRAID Wardens di-
rected the collections in cooperation
with other defense units.
Proceeds from the sale of scrap
now being disposed of in Arlington
also are to be contributed to the
civilian defense fund since the initial
cost of the campaign was taken out
of money previously earmarked for
civilian defense purposes.