Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1903-01-16
Protocol Of Peace.

The people of Rockville have engaged
the Electric Railroad In q hard fought battle
against heavy odds, resulting In brilliant
victory for the town. The railroad lost Its
franchise and has been forced to resume its
Old and untenable position below the Fair
Grounds.
The town has a just cause. The road Sc
cured its franchise under false pretenses
violated its solemn agreement and over the
signature of its Vice-President refused to
make amends. The people could have pur.
sued no other course and preserved their
manhood and self-respect. The fact that
our citizens rose as one man and proved
equal to the occasion is a happy omen, and
shows that the people are all right when the
fog raised by treachery and deception is dis.
sipated by an open fight for principle.
Now that the smoke of the battle Is clear
ing away, 1t behooves US to look over the
situation and carefully plan for united effort
In our future mo vements. We should rec
ognize the TACT that we have entered upon a
campaign, and that however glorious the
victory, In one engagement, 1t will avail US
little unless we maintain perfect organiza-
ton and present a solid front until peace Is
declared.
Diversity of interests may in some re.
spects tend TO divide us unless the general
welfare Of the town is taken as the guiding
star for each, but with that as the fixed OBJ
ject to be attained by every citizen no pow.
er can defeat US. The railroad is powerful,
but like Achilles IL has vulnerable spot
and must succumb II our weapons are prop
erly aimed. That weak spot Is its cash re.
ceipts. Its business from Rockville passen-
gers for the past year has admittedly averaged
considerably over $1,000 per month, or over
$4,000 for the year. 1t, therefore, received
severe wound when Its terminal facilities
In the heart of the town were swept away.
This will more than reduce by one-half the
receipts OF the road from Rockville on &C.
count OF its present inaccessible position
alone, and If the manifest disposition of the
people to punish the road Is put into execu-
ton 1t will sustain further loss of three or
four thousand more.
As General Harries 30 aptly expressed IL
in his letter to our Mayor and Council 1:
money rs the life of every business propo-
siuon." Therefore all Rockville has TO do
Is TO drop the electric railroad where II is,
and we are sure to see either new policy
Of the road or new set of officers for the
company. The improvidence shown In the
loss of eight or ten thousand dollars year
in too stiff game of bluff cannot appeal
with favor to the stockholders of the COM
pohyt no tho hColohoiblO VIII oOOu
learn to their sorrow. Under all the cir
cumstances, it is only fair to assume that the
company will begin at once TO scheme In its
own peculiar way TO regain its lost ground;
whether 1t permits US 10 know OF its ankle
ty or not Is immat9rial and should cause us
no loss of sleep. We now have "the other
fellow walking the floor at night" and he
should understand that we know it, and
that there is one and only one way out of his
troubles.
While the treatment of the town has Just
ly caused grt at indignation, | believe that
large majority would like to have the road
through the town and are willing to permit
II upon reasonable terms, with proper re-
strctiOns, and as one who has contributed
his humble services with many others to
bring about the present condition, 1t may
not be out Of place to suggest for General
Harries' consideration the following pro-
tocol of peace:
That new ordinance be prepared for the
ratification OF the taxpayers OF the town,
which shall embrace the following leading
points:
First. The railroad to give bond OF &c.,
600 Tor the faithful performance of the con-
ditions of the ordinance, the various pro-
visions of which shall specify the amount
for which the company shall be liable In fines
for each day such provision is violated, after
due notice from the Mayor and Town Coun-
Gil OF such violation.
Second. That either by specified method
OF paving or by some general requirement,
the company shall prevent recurrence OF
the dust nuisance, a. consequence Of run
ming its cars, and keep the streets on which
It's tracks are laid IN proper condition for
travel.
Third. That the discriminating fare OF Il We
cents against the town OF Rockville be dis
continued.
Fourth That the road extand liz lines by
such rouso as a majority OF our citizens may
express preference TO The western limits OF
the town, on the DaGnestOwn road.
Fifth. That the road furnish electricity
Tor lighting the streets OF the town over
which Its cars run, at Its own expense, or
partially at the expense of the town, II alter
a full presentation of the facts az TO cost Of
such electric current II may seem equitable
for the town 10 bear part OF such expense,
but in any event such streets TO be provided
with electric current for suitable lights.
The provisions above suggested should be
incorporated into any new ordinance per-
hitting this road TO enter Rockville. They
are in the interest Of the entire town and are
not harsh against the railroad. IL can we'll
afford 10 accept them In view Of the demon
strated value Of the franchise. Let public
sentiment crystalline upon these points, and
let the railroad understand once for all that
we will not bulge one peg from our posi-.
ton now or at any other time. The road
will soon weary Of It's old-time maneuvers
of decoy on the one hand and bluff on the
other. An average loss OF 81 900 per month
from its treasury is much harder for Il TO
stand than II Is for us put up with little
incon venience of short OF long duration.
We have cut our eye teeth and TO be treated
az children any longer would be an Insult
To our intelligence, and 10 be affected by the
new fairy tales OF this road with our past
experience before us would be vacillation
of the race.
W. ii. LAMAR.