Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1910-07-29
TO REGAIN EASTERN SHORE
TRADE.

No little interest has been created in
Baltimore and throughout the State by a
proposition submitted by Attorney General
Straus that the State establish and main
tain number of boat lines between Balti-
more and the Eastern Shore as a means of
regaining the trade of the Shore which is
now being diverted, largely to Philadelphia
The rates for transportation, according to
the suggestion, are to be based on operat-
ing expenses alone. the cost of establish
ing the lines not to be made a fixed charge
In rate determination. 1t is proposed to
offer to buy the lines controlled by the
Pennsylvania Railroad now running to the
Eastern Shore. II this is not accepted on
terms found equitable. the State ferries
are to compete with the existing lines A
sum is to be spent on the Western Shore
for good roads and other improvements
commensurate with what is expended in
establishing the line to the Eastern Shore
Mr.. Straus estimates that bond issue
of from $2.500,000 to 100000 will
cover the entire plan, the Western Shore
improvements included.
Many opinions have been expressed as
to the wisdom of the plan and these have
differed widely. The general opinion is that
it is an experiment that should only be
undertaken after the most serious consid-
Grafton of all the problems involved. The
situation as il exists now is a serious one,
and it is pointed out by many that abnor-
NAL situations require radical remedies. Mr..
Straus is convinced that the plan would
work. would give general satisfaction and
would be wise move for the State to
make.
If the sentiment expressed in the follow
ing editorial of the Oecd Democrat, pub
lished at Elkton, Cecil county can be ac-
cepted as a criterion. the Eastern Shore is
strongly opposed to the proposed plan:
Such proposition will hardly receive
serious thought. 1t would be well of course
to keep the valuable trade of the Shore
within the State, but it is hardly the prov
ince of the State to purchase and operate
a number of steamers, and 60 to other
great expense in order to secure it.
Besides the complaint comes largely
from Baltimore merchants and not from
the people Of the Shore. The latter are
doing very well as it is. The entire sec
ton shows a remarkable development in
spite of the disadvantages it is supposed
to labor under. The Pennsylvania road
may be discriminating against Baltimore,
but it is an open question whether that
discrimination Injuries the Shore Besides
the Utility Commission will unquestionably
regulate that part of it.
The great trouble is that Baltimore does
not 60 after the trade of the Shore in such
way as to compete with Philadelphia
and other northern cities. 1t fails to offer
the inducements to buyers and sellers that
more progressive markets present and il
does not cultivate the field by canvass
and advertisement as it should do.
The loss of the trade by Baltimore is an
incidental loss to the State, it is true, but
it is not such great matter as to justify
the State to spend millions to hold it. Let
Baltimore help ITSELF 1t is the old story
1t wants everything from the State and
then evades paying its fair share of State
taxes. complaining all the while that the
city is bearing all the burden. One thing
is certain. the State at large will object to
the proposed scheme of putting on steam
eFs and building roads at the public ex-
pense in order that Baltimore may hold
trade that her own energy ought to easily
secure"