Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1904-03-17
COMMUNICATED
EDITOR CATocTIN C1ARIoN:--

COMMUNICATED
EDITOR CATocTIN C1ARIoN:-
I see in your last weeks issue. copy
of bill before the Maryland Legislature for
the town of Thurmont to vote on an issue OF
bonds TO buy the present water works for
$4,000, and, If failure to buy, 10 build an
other water supply for the town.
The general way of getting up bill to be
passed by the legislature for the belefit OF a
town has been to call meeting Of the tax
payers and discuss the bill to be asked for,
and find out If those who must stand the
burden, or a majority Of them, are favorable
TO it. If the bill is sound, 1t 10 worthy Of
public discussion by the people to be bene.
fitted or injured before the expense Of ordl'
nances and election is put upon them.
l understand that no negotiations have
been made looking to the purchase of the
present works, and as the first cost OF same
was about $4,000. with stock issue OF
$4,000, and as that stock has cold as high as
$40 per share, par being $40, It's present
worth from income being from $40 to 10,
1t seems ridiculous to think of buying the
present stock at par, as 1t would be necessary
to buy each individual stockholders stock
separately. The present works could not he
duplicated now for near the same money.
When the present works were built. cast
iron pipes were selling about the lowest price
TN record; today they are worth ha'f as much
more.
Take the water delivered by the present
company into consideration, 1t has the I'M
doubted control Of High Run, a stream that
above its reservoir Is not contaminated Dy
any filth, and not likely ever to be. The only
other stream sufficient to furnish the neces.
sary amount of water would be Hunting
creek, which has public road running by
its side to It's source with all its wash emp.
tying into 1t At the town there are five
water powers on the stream; while none OF
them are in use, still they may all want dam
ages for future use If any water Is taken from
the stream.
I am acquainted with the work OF getting
the present company started. The Western
Maryland Railroad desired to move their
station from their old location to the present
site in order to do 80 they were compelled
to have a sufficient quantity Of water tor
their business, their supply at that time he
ing insufficient to extend. An estimate was
made to get the same from Hunting Creek
An ultimatum was offered tor either the town
or its citizens to put in plant for the town
and to furnish the railroad company or grant
the privilege to foreign corporation. The
town refused. a petition in the form OF a
contract was signed by each property holder
agreeing that the town should be taxed so
much for cett.,in number of fire plugs at 81
much per plug for protection from fire
committee waited on the Western Maryland
Railroad and they agreed to pay certain
price for water and upon those two as fixed
charges a stock company was organized and
every citizen had the privilege of taking NIL
the stock they wanted; even then they were
compelled to go outside for subscriptions.
Stock has been changing hands and because
one person was willing to buy at a price that
another was willing to sell should not create
any jealous feelings
The question is has the present company
put itself in the attitude ola monopoly by
raising prices? The writer does not know
of any raise in rates since the plant was in,
stalled.
The situation of Thurmont to the Noun
tain streams has been 10 its favor 10 put in
a water plant for a small cost considering
other towns of like size which makes its
rates low in comparison and gives good
interest on the Investment.
What Is the use in trying TO make some of
the citizens believe they are beng imposed
upon and get the town to fight their battles?
If those who framed the present bill in the
legislature want another water service for
the town, the field Ia open to them, let them
organize and put it In.
The law governing the tax rate of Thur
mont is a maximum rate of thirty cents on
the one hundred dollars; the present debt is
being wiped out, her streets are being stead
lily improved under it and If il has to be in
creased, let us get some improvement that
we do not already possess.
would suggest instead of tying to break
up a paying plant. or put in rival That will
prevent diyldends TO either company, or in
trying TO array one citizen to work against
another, turn your attention to something
to build up the town, make 1t expand, bring
IN outside money to help support the present
population and not ftht over plant that
eats up our own substance but nevertheless
is necessary for protection and the health of
our town. Rivalry builds up when one is
willing to put his hand In his own pocket
and Guido the other fellow. Don't create
discOrd among our cit but work In har
mOny.
There are several things our ctizens who
are 80 full of ambition could undertake to
work up that would benefit our town and
distribute more foreign money among us.
The past Summer has demonstrated that
Thurmont is an ideal place for summer
boarders. Go to work, organize stock com
pany, put up a summer hotel, fix up grounds
for their pleasure and enjoyment sufficient
in size to accommodate an excursion. Ask
our town to donate the ground and you will
be expanding that latent talent that is pent
up,
Then harness the five water powers on
Hunting creek, turn IL into electricity, light
up your hotel and grounds, light The town,
rent ont any extra power tyou will have the
,hf,ln Cor IaSf IN fnxuy In In,
dustries hum and our citizens will crown
your heads with laurels.
A TAXPAYER