The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1920-03-04
A Reply To
Mr.. Phillips Letter

Mr.. EDITOR
I read with much interest "Let-
ter To The Public" from Mr.. Ed
ward S. Phillips published in a re-
cent issue of The Daily Banner ana
as a citizen and taxpayer, having
Lest interest of my town and county
al heart want to take issue with our
friend and to stand firmly with the
several hundred taxpayers of this
County who assembled at the Court
House last month at call of our
County Commissioners. Mr.. Phil
lips evidently did not lake sufficient
interest in our problems to lend his
presence.
Our Commissioners deserve speci-
al credit for calling the meeting and
it was we'll advertised and all good
citizens, including Mr.. Phillips,
should have evidenced their apprecia
ton by attending said meeting and
take that opportunity to give ex-
preston to their views. When such
busy men as Mayor Orem, Col.
Albanus Phillips, William P. An
crews, Dr. Guy Steele and others
dropped personal matters for a
couple of hours, realizing and ap-
rreciating the grave Importance of
meeting conditions as they now ex-
list and of trying to find proper
remedies, l would think that Mr..
Phillips would have Joined the as
sembIv or keep quiet thereafter.
was present at the meeting and
will say that the Court Room was at
least three-fourth filled with men
from every district and whereas
there were conflicting opinions as to
just how much money would be
needed to make improvements and
how it should be opportioned. the
rIeeting voted unanim ously for the
loan and when Col. Phillips, the
chairman put the question the ayes
were given with a vim that could
leave no doubt even in the mind OF
Ned. Phillips, if he had been there.
Some of Mr.. Phillips arguments
are good and some bad.
Well all agree that these are not
normal times and we should watch
| our payroll very carefully, but this
is no good reason why our people
should remain inactive and let our
| schools, roads and bridges go to rack
and ruin. Owning so much real es-
| tate in this section, our friend Ned.
| should appreciate that the advance IN
values will more than pay any adj
vance that may be made in his tax
bill. Mr.. Phillips should visit the
| third floor of our SO called Semi
| nary" buiIding and see the little
tots crowded in room never in
| tended to house more than two
] thirds the number and then con-
| tinue his investigation by inspect
ing the one stairway leading up
/ through centre of the structure and
| the heating furrice under tie stairs
| and picture in his mind what the re-
suit would be should fire or an
| alarm of fire occur.
After Mr.. Phillips has inspected
| cur Seminary" which is q disgrace
not only to our town and county, but
TO the board of school commission
ers who rem odeled the old structure
he has only a few steps to go to
| reach the bridge across Cambridge
| creek. This 9lapitated affair is an
"eye sore" to everyone who has a
spark of pride and it would pay Mr.
Phillips good return on his money
to build a suitable bridge and pay
ell costs, as it serves as a "wet blan-
ket'' on every prospective real es'
tate buyer who visits our city.
/ 1t takes money to build schools
bridges and roads and I am fully a,
i've to the very high cost of all ma
terials and labor, but shall we con
tinue to patch up and allow oui
sister town and counties to outstrlr
us? If Mr.. Phillips will visit castor
Centreville and other towns on the
Shore he will awake to the real1za
ton that his town and county are
very much behind and as hustl1nE
business man he should want to ge
out of the rut. AS far as people
holding back in building fine resi-
dences and business structures, Mr.
Phillips, does not seem to be wei
informed, for there never was sucl
activity in building all over thu
United States and it is almost i'm
possible to get building material de
, livered within a reasonable length o
time. High prices have come to sta,
and it will be many years before w
have very much of a decline and w
might as well get accustomed t.
same and look matters squarely Il
} ! the face. It took about IA years TO
! prices to get normal after the C1vl
War, SO why should we expect
} whirlwind come back after the Grea
\ World War?
What we want is sufficient none
to make needed Improvements an
b use good judgment in spending 1t.
CITIZEN
Boat supplies, OF all kinds. Phi