Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1912-04-19
MIR. Henderson In Conclusion To
Mr.. Lamar.

Mr.. Editor Mr.. Lamar has made so
many misstatements and false deductions
in his article of last week that it will be
impossible for me to deal with them all, as
wish to be brief but cannot let it 90
entirely unanswered, although have long
since realized that no good can be accom-
pliShed by an argument or even quiet
conversation with him.
If have been guilty of fishmarket Ian
guage or sophistry in either Of my former
articles in the opinion of any fair judge.
| will apologize to him, provided, if it is
decided have not he will apologize to me
for what looks to me like deliberate mis-
statement.
AS to collateral issues, if he thinks he
can base his arguments upon false state
ments of my actions and expressions and
attempt to prejudice me in the eyes of the
public without being promptly and fatty
cOntradicted. he is much mistaken.
have known that he has been f0ment
ing discomfort with the railroad law, at my
expense, ever since it went into operation
and l am glad to have had an opportunity
of expressing my views upon the subject.
The whole difference between Mr., Lamar
and myself arose from the different lights
in which we looked at the matter and be-
cause would not allow him to impose his
views on me. He was looking at it from
the especial standpoint of what was best
for Mr.. Lamar. while | was looking to what
would be most fair and just toward every
one affected by the law and to have it
stand the test of being fair and reasonable
and producing a sufficient revenue, which
knew it would have to do
never arrived at the remarkable con-
clusion, which he assumes, that the COM
pany could not raise the Communication rate
slightly over what it then was amounting
to, a difference of about three cents for the
round trip from Rockville, and stated in
my argument to the committee that it
could do so. But did arrive at the con-
clusion that l-2 cents per mile for straight
fares and one cent per mile for c0mmuta-
ton tickets was as low as we could rea-
s0nably fix maximum rates, and that COM
muters were not entitled to a greater diff
ference, at the expense of the general pub
lie, unless the company felt justified in
giving it to them.
Although Mr.. Lamar may not think so.
was well aware of the difference in the
argument as to the constitutionality of the
straight rates and Communication rates and
agree with him that there should be some
rule for both. but do not think the differ
ence in rates should be so great as railroad
companies, for reasons of their own, have
been disposed to make it, as one part of
the public is as much entitled to reasonable
rates as another, and it is not fair to carry
one passenger at cost and charge another
double profit.
Now that Mr.. Lamar has forced his new
bill through the Legislature against the
protests of the best thinking men Of Rock
vile and, believe. to the disadvantage of
amuch larger number of users of the road
than are benefited by it, am very glad to
transfer to him the responsibility for the
satisfactory operation Of the Lamar law.
Perhaps though the burden will only fall
on those who have less influence in legis-
lative matters than my distinguished oppo-
nent in debate and they will have to bear
it, whether they like it or not And no
doubt Mr.. Lamar and his protege, Mr..
Cummings, for whom he wrote appealing
letters in the campaign last summer, will
obtain great glory and honor from some
sources for their efforts on behalf Of the
people.
do not remember that Mr.. Lamar made
any suggestion to amend the penalty clause
of my law, as he delights to call II, and his
bupCIlOt tIuCg VII tlidl
point was evidently acquired from his con-
nection with the litigation over the law.
am always willing to learn from any
one who has superior information to my
own on any subject and am glad to correct
any errors make. but am not willing to
subordinate my judgment of what is just
and fair to anyone who believe is actu-
ated by selfish motives. 1t was certainly
published in the papers some time since
that Mr.. Lamar's scheme had been sub
mitted to the Bethesda Citizens Associa-
ton and had been voted down by them.
Was this news untrue or is Mr.. Lamar
quibbling on the fact that the bill itself
had not been presented to them?
From what expression of mine can he
Justify the statement that | was trying to
lead the public to believe that ried to
have his bill reported favorablyH do not
know whether to characterize this as an
other deliberate misstatement or as an ex-
crescence of his colossal assurance
am not cast down by my vote last
summer, as believe the people were mis-
led by some of those in whom they thought
they could have confidence. If, however,
the majority of the people are willing to
have their affairs Of government dictated
by Mr.. Lamar and Mr.. Cummings, as was
done in the matter of this law and of the
charter for Chevy Chase. | will have to bear
it with the best grace can. but | for one
shall not do so without the strongest pro-
test of which am capable. am Obliged
to Mr.. Lamar for his certificate TO my in
tegrity.
Yours respectfully.
I All nv HENDERSON