Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1914-12-04
Increased Rates On MetropoIitan
Branch.
To the Patrons of the Metropolitan Branch
of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.

10 the fatrons OF the Metropolitan Branch
OF the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad:
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Com
pany progresses to increase our quarterly
Communication rates nearly fifty (5O) per
cent, and our family-ticket rates about
twenty (20) per cent.
The tariff carrying these increases has
been filed with the interstate Commerce
Commission and will become effective De-
cember q next unless meanwhile the Com
mission should suspend its operation.
This tariff abolishes the quarterly $50
trip communication ticket also, the 24-trip
and the 50trip family tickets. The rate
for the monthly go trip ticket is some
what increased. A 10-trip family ticket.
good for three (3) months is provided, at
cost per trip about twenty (20) per cent
higher than the present 24-trip family
ticket
This action on the part of the Railroad
Company strikes deadly blow at the well
fare of the people living along the Metro
politan Branch. The proposed rates are,
it is submitted, practically prohibitory. If
put into effect, they must inevitably result
in
A heavy additional draft on our incomes
Partial depopulation of much of the ter
ritory served by the Metropolitan Branch
Decreased railroad service in the near
future, if not now and
Serious depreciation of property values.
These statements are not overdrawn.
The situation confronting us is'a grave one
and must be met forthwith by ENERGETIC
and concerted action. To this end the
Home and School Association of Garrett
Park was requested at a citizens meeting
just held to take steps at once to secure
the cooperation of the patrons of the
Metropolitan Branch in forming an associa-
ton to represent them at this juncture,
and no time will be lost in so doing.
Meanwhile, permit us to urge the i'm
portance of filing with the Interstate Com
merce Commission. Washington, D. c., as
speedily as possible, emphatic protests
against the tariff above mentioned, on the
ground that the proposed rates are unreal
sonable, excessive, and practically prohibit
tory. The Commission should be urged to
suspend the operation of this tariff until
the patrons of the Metropolitan Branch
shall have had hearing on the question.
1t is particularly important that such rep
reservations should be made by all civic
bodies among us and by other institutions
especially interested in the material well
fare and development of our people-citi-
zens' associations in general, home and
school associations, real estate companies.
banks, building associations. etc.
Fortunately, if play our part properly,
we shall be able in all probability to make
common cause with powerful allies. in
Guiding commuters organizations in the
territory around Baltimore, Philadelphia,
and New York City. not to mention our
nearer neiehbors on the Westinghouse
timore lines of the Baltimore and Ohio and
Pennsylvania Railroads. Let us act at
once as a unit
Suggestions as to any phase of the mat
ter in hand will be welcomed at any and
all times.
Cordially yours,
THE HOME AND SCHOOL Association,
Or GARRETT PARK, Mp.
BY j. G. GURLEY, Secretary
LEWIS W. CALL, President