The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-09-29
OAKLAND'S FUTURE.
MIR. Percy Proctor Presents Plan, Which
If Followed, VIII Materially Aid
The Town.

mr.. Percy Proctor Presents IA Plan, Which.
If Followed, VIII Materially Aid
The Town.
To the Editor of The Republican.
I Some people say to me that Oak
land is not as prosperous as in former
wears and that as a summer resort it
is losing ground.
7, The present summer has been an
eventful one for Oakland. Expecta-
tions that the town would be crowded
with transient residents, because the
war with Spain would make sea side
resorts unpopular, were not realized,
as the war was practically over be-
fore the summer season began. The
destructive fire in July has given the
business portion of the city a wrecked
appearance and has had "a depressing
effect. But, on the other hand, there
have been more visitors this summer
in Garrett county than eyer before
Some of the hotels and boarding
houses have made record that will
be hard to maintain or surpass. The
burnt district will have to be built
over and better stores will eventually
replace those destroyed, giving en-
ployment to local workmen
L. There does not seem to be anything
/ the matter with the climate and loca-
sion of Garrett county. People con
tinue to come here in greater num-
bers than ever. The railroad facili-
ties have never been equaled in pre-
vious years. But the fact remains
that more cottages were unoccupied
and fewer visitors spent the summer
in Oakland than in former years.
How to increase the attractiveness
and prosperity of the town is Il ques-
ton. Some people think that if one
or more factories could be located
| here Oakland would be benefited.
| Others think that water works are a
necessity. Most everyone believes
that better streets are desirable. A
| town which depends on one or two
| factories leans on reed. Factories
run irregularly, according as there is
a demand for their products. When
| they are running the employees get
paid for their work. but when they
| shut down, as all must do more or less
frequently, wages stop and employ
ment ceases. This means a popula-
| ton of people out of work and money.
| Those manufacturing towns prosper
in which there are many plants, a
small proportion of which are idle at
one time. Water works are desirable,
but hardly necessary in a town the
size of Oakland. If wells are dug or
bored deep enough they will supply
| family needs. More water is used in
summer than in winter. Tanks are
cheap. They can be filled with rain
water from roofs and the water can
be be conducted by pipes into houses
at small cost. Rain water, while it
twill not take the place of well water
for every purpose, will serve for
cleaning, for watering animals, laying
the dust, etc etc. 1t will save the
well water When winter comes the
pipes can be disconnected, the water
let out of the tanks and all danger
from freezing avoided.
The freedom of cities and large
towns from destructive fires is due
rather to prevention than to water
supply Districts are blocked against
the erection of frame buildings more
than twelve feet high. Buildings
made of brick and stone, provided
with iron shutters, do not ignite from
each other. In city no larger than
Cincinnati the firemen in the central
fire station will respond to alarms
every few hours-sometimes two or
three times in an hour. They reach
| the scene of a fire in a few moments
and put it out before it gains head
| way, generally with a chemical en-
CINE. They get to the fire so soon,
and have so much practice in dealing
with incipient blazes, that seldom is
the money loss large. In Oakland it
| would not pay for men to stay on
duty to put out possible fires once
a year 1t thus happens that the
inhabitants must be reused from their
sleep, dress, hasten to the scene and
turn fireman. By this time flames in
!" 1aucf nc