Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1930-01-31
Favors Use OF Rockville pike.
VIM. J. wheatIey in WASHINGTON Star.

United opposition of representatives of
civic and patriotic organizations from towns
along the present route from the District
OF Columbia line to the battlefield of Get
tysburg. Pa. the Rockville Frederick Get
tysbure highway. to the proposal contained
In resolution introduced in the United
States Senate by Senator Willard F. Tyd-
inss. OF Maryland. for new highway was
presented to Senator Phillips Lee Colds
borough and Representative Frederick N.
Zihlman Of Maryland. Representative Ed
ward M. Beers of Pennsylvania and VIM.
Tyler Page, clerk of the United States
House Of Representatives.
The legislators were told by speakers for
the several delegations that the present
highway serves the greater part OF the
population of Montgomery county, and II
there was to be any expenditure of Federal
funds for memorial highway to Abraham
Lincoln, it should be spent in the WIDEN
ing and improving of the existing highway,
rather than upon a new thoroughfare
through virgin territory. Some Of the pleas
also were based on the historic importance
of the present highway.
The delegations left with the feeling that
the legislators would seek to amend the
Iydines resolution so as to designate the
Rockville-Frederick pike as the highway
to be improved as a memorial
At the conclusion of the hearing before
Senator Goldsbor0ugh. he said that he saw
clearly the wishes Of the people of Western
Maryland. and added that during his polit-
ical career he had learned that II one
followed the voice of the people he very
rarely went wrong"
F. Barnard Welsh. attorney, of Rockville,
presented the various speakers. He said
that what the people want is to have any
new road that is constructed through Mont
gomery county built over the lines of the
old road, and explained that they did not
want new road built away from the
centers Of population. and they did not
want the Tydings resolution to pass.
There is road to Gettysburg already
located. he pointed out. and the new road
should be put where the people are-that
is. In its present historical settings, not
only for economic reasons, but for historic
reasons. and for the people whom it serves.
The people along this route, he contended,
constitute the majority, and they are en-
titled to have built a road that is not
carried into the realms of real estate specu-
lation. Mr.. Welsh plainly told the Mary
land Legislators that the people did not
want its location or designation left to
commission before which others could 90
and have it worked out to their personal
advantage"
H. D. Baker of Frederick said that if a
memorial road was to be built to the
memory of President Lincoln it should
follow the Old Trails road. He said this
highway is IL miles long, and passes
through towns having a population Of
22.2OO people, and through a most his
toric country. He added that the new
route suggested would be IS miles long
and would 60 through towns having a
population of $500 people.
II Is unthinkable to have a memorial
highway to Gettysburg that does not 90
through the historic city of Frederick, said
DR.. Joseph H. Apple of that town. Within
that city. he said, are buried Chief Justice
fancy. Francis Scott Key and Barbara
Fritchie.
P. D. Ewing. secretary of the Thurmont,
Md. Lions Club. and j. W. Donnan of the
Frederick. Nd. Lions Club. spoke in favor
Of using the present road. The latter said
that he felt keenly about this road propo-
sition. He pointed out that at the present
time. when efforts are being made to have
Government money 60 as far as it can, it
would be folly to spend millions of dollars
OF the peoples money in the laying out and
construction of an entirely new highway
when there is one now which can be inn
proved at considerably less expense and
entirely in keeping with the economy
program.
Mrs. John A. Holmes, Rockville pike, said
that she hadn't the nerve to ask the people
of the United States to spend $4,000, 900
or 100000 to construct a new road to
Gettysburg from the District of Columbia,
and she added that it takes lot of nerve
even to ask for funds for this purpose.
j. &. McGrath, representing the Lewis
town. Md, Citizens Association, said that
it was unnecessary to spend Government
money to get new route through a virgin
section when it would be cheaper to fur
nish means for improving the present route
Burton T, Doyle. Rockville Pike Citizen
Association, pointed out that if a new,
direct route were selected it would cut of
IL towns. George P. Sacks, representing
the Bethesda Chamber of Commerce, plead
that the legislators give earnest considera-
tion to the matter and to carry out the
wishes Of the people.
Mrs. Philander G. johnson and Mrs. F
c. GetZendanner of the Rockville Pike Citi-
zens Association. and Ernest c. Gichner
OF Gaithersburg Chamber of Commerce, also
spoke in favor of having the old road
improved.
Representative Zihlman, of Maryland
said that he understood that the DELEGATION
was in favor of improving the old road. nc
pointed out that it would be necessary t
amend the Tydings resolution.
Senator Goldsborough pointed out that
| his predecessor as Governor OF Maryland
Gov. Crothers, was the father of the good
road movement in the State, but during
his administration much of the construc
ton fell upon him. In construction at tina
time, he said that universally the improve,
roads followed the old highways, and h
could see clearly why the people wanted
the old road improved. and il was thel
that he told them that following the ex
pressed wishes OF the people person il
politics could rarely 60 wrong.
The delegation then called upon William
Tyler Page, clerk OF the House of Repre-
sentatives. who was told by Mr.. Wells
that Senator Goldsborough and Mr. Zihlmar
had promised to introduce an amendmen
to the Tydings resolution which would des
ignate the present highway as the memo
| rial road.
Representative Beers told the delegation
that they need waste no time in explain
ing their proposal to him. as he was l0l
| per cent back OF not only the road, but any
thing that he could do for his neighbors. HI
said 1t would be a wonderful project. ant
that he would get in touch with his friend
Representative Zihlman, and 90 along witt
him. He took occasion to laud Mr.. Zihl
man in the highest terms and said thai
he served with him in the House for {
number Of years and also on the District
committee and during that time. he said
the Maryland legislator had never left {
stone unturned in the interest Of his dis
trict.
The delegation numbered about so per
sons, and among others than the speaker
included: C. Griscom Randle president
and j. W. Wisner assistant secretary OF
the Rockville Pike Citizens Association
F. C. Getzendanner Of the same oreaniza-
ton Thomas Hampton. chairman of the
committee on roads and streets of the Be-
thesda Chamber OF Commerce William
Burrows. Rockville Rotary Club; Edward
and Vinson Peter. Rockville Chamber of
Commerce; DR.. c. E. Hawks and J. D.
nufhan Rock uilla Amarioan adion Il