Evening star., 1915-11-21
FREDERICK FARMERS
SEEK MANY REFORMS
Organizations Cooperate in De.
mands for Repeal of Anti.
quated Laws Of State.
Abolition of Fee System and State
Tax Commission Sought at
Hands of Legislators.
Special Correspondence of The Star.

1dAuo VI ASS4oAo
Special Correspondence of The Star.
.- FREDERICK. Md, November 90
Standing for complete schedule of re-
form legislation, and openly advocating
the abolition of what is termed anti
quated systems in vogue in this county,
dthree farmers associations-the Fred
erick County Farmers Association, Inc:
the Frederick County Dairymens AS
,sociation, Inc, and the Frederick County
Threshermen's Association, 1nc.-With
"a combined membership Of more than
1000 farmers and business men OF
Frederick county, today met in joint
conference and launched the first con-
certed farmers legislative reform
movement in the history of Frederick
county.
3 The sole object of the conference was
TO draft bills to be introduced IN the
Maryland legislature, which, II enacted,
.swiIl vastly improve conditions in rural
sections OF this county.
: Fight Fee System.
i The abolition of the fee system used
in connection with virtually every pub
alic office in the county is a question
upon which the three associations are
said to be united. There is Likelihood
that the three associations will draft
a bill abolishing the fee system and
attempt to have passed measure
(which will in time place every puplic
official of the county upon fixed sal
-ary. The farmers claim that the Zee
system is Ineffective and at times eA-
ceedingly expensive to the taxpayers.
This economy agitation was started
1.-TWO weeks ago at a meeting OF the
Frederick County Farmers Assoclation'
when some hundred farmers urgea geo
cooperation among farmers me
plant in past years has been the m
bred selfshness of local farmers. which
4had resulted in the failure of every
hce-operative farmers movement, ne .ssad AZ
.;favoring the joint conference OF the
three organizations
Attack Tax Commission.
. The three associations contemplate
introducing bills in the Legislature
which will abolish the Maryland state
tax commission. Such a measure would
have statewide scope and probably will
meet with considerable opposition.
Frederick county farmers brand the
commission ineffective.
g. A countrywide dog tax system may
be attempted. Local farmers declare
Athat In past years dogs have made in
roads on their herds of cattle, sheep
sand pens of swine. Many persons have
y been attacked by dogs, though fatal
results have been rare.
Seek Game Law Changes.
- Although the association has not yet
joined the movement. it is expected
that the Frederick County Fish and
Game Association, incorporated, will
-send a bill to the Maryland legisla-
ture which. If made law. will repeal
and re-enact every fish and game law
son the statute books Sportsmen re-
port many conflicting clauses in local
! ocorporated nearly year ago with the
"avowed purpose of conserving game.
While the three organizations have
been Incorporated for as many diff
ferent purposes. their combined object
is the uplift of farming conditions. The
threshermen's association is watching
closely any attempt to prevent op-
orators of threshing machines from
using improved highways. The dairy
men seek to increase the milk rate and
better saritary conditions in local dali
Ties. The farmers association has for
its aim the protection of interests of
all farmers.
David G. Zentz. Thurmont is pres
ident Of the farmers association;
me dairymen's association. and l. L.
Hankey. near Frederick. president Of
1.-The threshermen's association.
Report on Power Plant.
A comprehensive report Of the city
electric light plant. clearly Indicating
Its defects. the needs of the city and
the benefits to be reaped by entering
the public utility field and selling COM
mercial and domestic light and power,
mas been made to the mayor and board
a 10 arrtlk. ~,
jdent of the Citizens National Bank.
The expense of the report. more than
S..ooo. was personally carried by Mr.
.Baker. who declared that he desired
70 sho" frederick what could be gain
ed by selling current in competition
with the Hagerstown and Frederick
Railway Company, now the only con-
cern selling current in Frederick The
report was compiled by DR. John e.
Whitehead. professor of electrical en-
gineering of Johns Hopkins Uniyer-
stty. Baltimore: c. L. Reeder an cleo
tricsl engineer. Baltimore, and How
ant. Baltimore.
According to figures submitted by Mr.
Eaker, an entirely new plant. including
the outlay for site, a new building
ana ana complete equipment. according to
tine hndings of the engineer, can be
erected by the city at cost of 100000
Ihis cost. II appears. is the only
outlay. and includes the installation
"a ana a distribution
system. In addition to lighting the
-streets of Frederick and a proposed
white way" covering the chief busi-
ness section. Mr.. Baker estimates. with
avaiiable business. the city can realize
"a net profit of $4,000 annually
PERSONALLY. l think the city is justi-
he'd In preparing to erect plant with
the avowed purpose Of selling current"
said Mr.. Baker.
The city councilmen are now giving
1.-The report careful consideration. II Is
known that they are favorabIy in
cIined toward selling power Before
fnai action Is taken. the city officials
VIII call for a public mass meeting.
when business men and citizens can
lair their views.
- Condemns Chlorine Plant.
lively controversy has deveIoped
between the members of the city coun-
Gil and DR.. Ira J. McCurdy. city health
..oificer. relative to the merits of LIQUID
chlorine sterilization plant which was
added to the city's water system four.
Teen months ago. In fourteen months.
the aldermen charge, the plant has
been idle half the time. due to fire.
breaks