Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1908-02-20
SOMEWHAT INCONSISTENT.

Mr.. EDITOR:
Last weeks editorial of The Chroni-
Gle starts off-"it is immaterial to us
which way the w., F. & G. Ry. is built,
just so it comes to Emmitsburg, and al
most in the same breath advocates the
building via Rocky Ridge somewhat in
consistent. Our worthy Brother seems
to have gone off half-cocked in the state
ment that THE CLARION and its following
are criticising Emmitsburg and vicinity
for not doing what they have not been
asked to do. Our people do not mean to
criticise in the least Emmitsburg and vicin
ity. We know they have not been asked
for financial assistance, nor will they be
until after the W., F. & G. Ry. is COM
pleted to Thurmont and a survey made
and adopted as originally contemplated,
viz. Thurmont to Emmitsburg' via Mt.
St. Mary's College. Indeed, We are in
possession of indisputable information
that when this time arrives, and Emmits-
burg and vicinity are called upon, a very
pleasant surprise, and the extended glad
hand is awaiting the W., F. & G.
The Chronicle, no doubt has inside and
advance information as to the relative
distances and cost of construction of the
two different lines in question, notwith-
standing survey even, as yet, has not
been made between Thurmont and EN-
mtsburg and as to the matter of density
of population along and adjacent to the
line as surveyed, Lewistown to Rocky
Ridge, we figure, must be guess, as our
worthy brother editor Chronicle) has
but recently dropped into our midst.
We note considerable stress is laid up
on the deplorable fact of Creagerstown
having no railroad facilities, which it
badly needs to develop what? while
not word is said in behalf of Mt. st.
Mary's College, which also lacks railroad
facilities and which Inititution has under
one roof, so to speak, more people than
are located along the entire Lewistown-
Rocky Ridge route.
We agree with our brother that rail-
roads are not philanthropic enterprises
and are not run in the interest of charity,
yet should the W., F. & G. Ry. conclude
to build via Rocky Ridge instead of
Thurmont and Mt. st. Mary's College,
must be construed'a as an act of charity.
Now word regarding the dividend pay
ing line which now runs into Emmits-
burg-was dividend declared on the
original stock and bond issue or prior to
the disposal of the road, at forced sale,
for something like $4,000?
Our brother is right in the statement
1--WE owe it to our people to look after
their interests" but to whom does he
refer, the citizens of Emmitsburg and
vicinity, or some other people? and why
will Emmitsburg derive more benefit from
the line built via Rocky Ridge than via
Thurmont and Mt. St. Mary's College?
Is the Chronicle not aware that at least
70 per cent of all Emmitsburg prefer the
line to come by Mt. St. Mary's? Of this
fact we are reliably informed by every
representative Emmitsburger with whom
we have come in contact.
We shall make no comment on the
Chronicles "burnt-out furnace, berry
picking, jug traffic" remarks nor have
we any slaps to give in return. Our
great aim and sole desire is to have this
railroad built to Emmitsburg via Thur
mont and Mt. St. Mary's College, there
by bringing into closer Brotherhood, two
Of Frederick County's most important
towns, between which none too cordial
relations have existed for half century.
Let us endeavor to get closer together I
instead of drifting farther apart. Why
should it not be thus?
THuRMoNrER. !