Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1909-05-01
Mutually Interested in Trade
Relations.
Eastern Shore and Baltimore Should Stand
Together
Merchants and Manufacturers Association
laboring leaIousIy for Better Transporia-
lion Facilities Between these Points.

In the matter OF the relationship ofthe
Eastern Shore and the City OF Baltimore,
we must deal with the conditions as they
exist today, and more particularly as to
what they are to be in the future. From
a sentimental standpoint, based upon
state pride and glorious history in the
pas: and close tie commercially and
socially which existed before the days of
railroads. when water transportation alone
was used, every possible effort should be
made by the people of both Baltimore and
the Eastern Shore to maintain this mutual
interest.
able quality, in itself, it fails to operate
successfully. Trade depends upon price,
profits and progressiveness. Sentiment
enters when all other things being equal,
it might weigh, and generally does, in
the balance. 1t is not true that the trade
OF Baltimore with the people of the East
ern Shore has been lost or even diverted
to the extent which many people have
recklessly proclaimed. II is true that
about two years ago there was some rea-
son in believing that it might have been
diverted il matters had been allowed to
proceed in the direction they seem to be
taking. But right here the writer in his
duties as Secretary of the Merchants &
Manufacturers Association found field
for investigation and some important re-
suits have already followed. 1t is fact,
easily proven. that our merchants &
manufacturers have, in the last two years,
increased their business on the Eastern
Shore to a most gratifying extent. But
our people and the Merchants s. Manu-
facturers Association are not content with
this increase. This great organization,
composed OF $50 of the leading mercan.
tile and industrial concerns of Baltimore,
with an individual membership OF over
1000 Of the most active men III the city,
having had the capabilities to which this
land Of milk and honey can be brought
set before them, has determined to assist
in its development toward prosperity
il has never known. The growth of the
shores of the incompatible Chesapeake
Bay has become slogan of this big,
growing, earnest and active body.
The fundamental purpose of the Associ-
atoms thorough and complete investi-
cation OF this garden spot OF America, was
TO learn OF its capacities of production,
what was necessary to this end and to
make Baltimore its metropolis market
and distributing point. 1t was not to
stop trade diversions or to interfere with
the markets for the Eastern Shores pro-
ducts. 1t was for a higher, more effec-
tive and commor-sense purpose. 1t was
to put Baltimore in a position to be con-
veniently reached by the Eastern Shore
man, and the Baltimorean the Eastern
Shore. II was to cooperate with these
people in affording them adequate facili-
ties in water transportation; the encour-
agement OF the means of rapid transit
along the lines Of natural mileage; the
avoidage in rail transit of going "around
the elbow to reach the thumb; 20 get
the small motor-boat started. so that a
farmer could get his most profitable crop
to market in good time; so that the mer-
chant could have change to come to
Baltimore, do his buying and return in
season the same day.
Out OF this has grown the Merchants
& Manufacturers FIRST step in that so
called "Dyeam''-the Bridging Of the
Chesapeake Bay-and system Of trolley
lines connecting with it. And, since these
things have been suggested, these trolley
lines are being considered all over the
Eastern Shore. Some are being built,
others ready to be built and more con-
templated. The engineers have survey
ed and decided feasible the Bridge over
the Bay, (the upper bay) which plan in
wolves some 24o miles of trolley lines on
the Eastern Shore. The plan is arranged
so that the lines centering in Accomac
County, Va, in Ciisfeld, Cambridge,