Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-17
FARMERS TAKE UP
URBAN PROBLEMS
Montgomery County Conven-
ton Considers Wide
Range of Subjects.
BY WILLIAM J. WHEATLEY,
sy a Staff Correspondent of The Star.


discuss these matters along with the
details of raising crops ana cattle, took
practically the entire morning session
Of the annual convention of the farmers
Of Montgomery County, held in the
Sherwood High School here yesterday.
They plainly indicated that they were
dirt farmers when Assistant Secretary
Dunlap of the Department of Agricul-
ture asked for showing of hands as
to how many were dirt farmers and
practically every one in the crowded
auditorium raised.
The formers adjourned without taking
any action on the differences between
the Montgomery County legislators as to
whether additional bonds should be au-
thorized for the purchase of site on
which to build larger courthouse and
jail at Rockville. 1t first was brought
to the attention of the convention at
the morning session, when Milton H.
Bancroft of this place suggested that
the convention take some action on the
matter, saying that he favored it. How
ever. Clarence L. Gilfin. presiding, said
that the matter should go over until
the afternoon, when,- he announced,
Senator Eugene Jones of Kensington,
who is opposing the bond issues and
the purchase of the square, would give
his side of the matter. The convention
agreed to wait, but Senator Jones did
not appear.
Martin Urges Action.
However. just prior to adjournment
late today, Harry Martin of Chevy
Chase urged the farmers to take IA
Vorable action on the matter. He said
that the business of the county had
increased to such an extent that it was
almost impossible now to do business
in the deeds Office in the present court
building. He advised the farmers that
the legislators were the trustees Of the
people, and they should be forced TO
vote the peoples will and not their own
views, and added that the people of the
county had Overwhelmingly indicated
they were for the new project, includ-
ing the purchase Of the additional land.
The vast growth of the farming area,
caused by the increase In population
and the closer grouping Of residences,
made 1t imperative that steps be taken
ito develop water supplies, particularly
flor fire protection, Mr.. Bancroft tolo
the convention, reporting for the Com
.munity Council. He gave many details
iof the work of the council during the
past year. He pointed out that the
development of volunteer fire depart
mentS, with their pumping engine equip
iment, would be Of little use, unless
some provision were made for larger
water supplies.
Traffic problems even have to be
handled now In these rural communities,
he said, and spoke particularly of the
serious congestion at the Olney and
Ashton crossroads. This was caused,
he said, largely by the placing of the
road direction signs too close to the
corners.
School overcrowding also had been
considered by the council, he went on,
and steps taken to correct 1t as well
as to improve the sanitary conditions.
Sewage a Problem.
He told the convention that open
sewage was becoming serious problem
In the faSt-growing villages. Mr.. Ban
croft told the farmers that people pass
ing through the communities formed
their opinions of the community from
the appearance of the countryside.
On motion OF Allan Faruuhar of
Sandy Spring. the following were norni-
mated as delegates to the council, to be
voted ON for election at the next meet
ing Of the council: Reuben Brigham of
Ashton, for that district; L. O. Burns
for the Olney-Sandy Spring district
and Snowden Athey of Burtonville for
tile Colesville district
The convention passed q resolution
authorizing the president to name a
committee to select site and provide
for the construction Of a memorial to
the late Alban G. Stabler, who was
described as having done much for the
a0V1f Nf he 1krx k~oA
nc light in a circle at the Ashton
Sandy Spring cross roads was suggested
President Gnpin named the following
to serve on the committee: Herbert E.
Thompson of Spencerville, chairman:
r. Bentley Thomas Of Sandy Spring
and Frank J. Downey Of Olney.
Asserting that in his opinion much
OF the present road scandal was due
20 the fact that the road commission
had much more money that 1t ever ex-
pected, Mr.. Farquhar introduced a reso-
luton, which was adopted, which put
the farmers on record as favoring the
passage Of legislation now pending at
Annapolis providing for changes In the
automobile laws. One Of these provid-
led for the elimination Of the present
fee of 80 cents horsepower on pneu-
matic-tired vehicles. and the Substi-
tuition of nominal fee of So a year
ito cover the cost of registration and
the tags. He said that the present
method was a double tax The farm
ers also approved the legislation which
would require those seeking drivers
permits to sign an agreement to be re-
sponsible in case of damage to private
property to the extent of 81 900 and
$4,000 for personal injury or death.
Alleging that the desire of farmers to
keep up with the new models of auto
mobiles was responsible for taking much
money from the farms, Samuel Thomas
Df Ashton delivered an address on how
idle farm land could be made profitable.
w. G. Anderson, county agent at
Rockville, said that there were $4,000
acres of land in Montgomery County
which he characterized as being idle,
including in these figures land for clubs,
but not forest lands. He said that this
represented capital Of $4,000, 900. AS
Eistant Secretary of Agriculture Dunlap
said one Of the farm relief recipes was
not to bring any more farm land into
cultivation.
The impending invasion Of the State
by the corn borer was described by DR.
e. NJ Cory of the University of Mary
land, who told the farmers of the best
means of controlling the pest. He also
said that the japanese beetle and the
Mexican bean beetle could be controlled
Francis Thomas of Sandy Spring
urged the cooperation OF the farmers
in reporting forest fires.
Stanley Stabler of Sandy Spring and
Mortimer Stabler of Spencervtlle also
addressed the convention.
-O