Evening star., 1935-07-20
DRIVE TO BEGIN
FOR LINCOLN LINK
Petitions Will Be Circulated
in Western Montgomery
County.
BY JACK ALLEN,
Stad Correspondent of The Star.

ROCKVILLE, Md. July 20 --Mu-
nicipal officials and civic heads in
western Montgomery County we're
mastering their forces today for a
vigorous campaign favoring construc-
ton of the proposed Lincoln memo
rial boulevard aioLg the route which
the Old Trails road falicws at present
Three principal ICasors for support
ing the route through this section OF
the county we're advanced by the
group Of some 20 weil-known Mont
gomery leaders III reaching their de-
cision after a brief conference here
yesterday with a deice ton of Fred
erick County citizens.
Nearly a dozen speakers agreed that
setting up the boulevard in any other
site would rob many business houses
along the highway now in Use OF
much trade, lower the value of real
estate along that stretch and remove
numerous places prominent in Civil
War history from the main tourist
route.
Resolution Adopted.
Ground work for an intensive cam
paign was laid after a resolution ex.
planning the c1lfe. ees' views was
adopted. Petitions are to be circu-
lated in the communities affected by
the highway question, while clubs in
those sections will be asked to Join in
the drive.
The need for haste was expressed
by the Frederick delegation, which
pointed out that the commission
named by President Roosevelt to
study the boulevard question would
begin to function next Wednesday and
definite suggestions should be pre-
pared quickly for presentation to that
body.
They explained that Bethesda,
Rockville, GaitherSburg, Frederick,
EmmitSburg and Thurmont stand in
danger of losing their vantage points
along the highway for considerable
agitation is being stirred up in favor
of building the road along an almost
from Washington to Gettysburg,
The Frederick group, which has been
at work on the boulevard matter for
some time, said that no method OF
financing the boulevard has been hit
Upon by the Federal Government, but
they cautioned their listeners that
those communities must form their
battle lines now to be ready whenever
funds may be made available.
De Lashmutt Undecided.
Only one of those present. former
Police Justice Donald A. De LASH
mutt, who is chairman of the Public
Utilities Committee in the Rockville
Chamber of Commerce, failed to ex-
press himself definitely In favor OF
retaining the present route.
Judge De Lashmutt said he had no
reached a decision in the matter, add.
ing:
Personally I am not convinced
that traffic through town is as bene'
fetal as most people believe. While
I have made no investigation, I an
confident a check-up would disclose
that only a very small portion of oul
merchants trade comes from tourists.
Sydney H Karl, president of the
local Rotary Club, stated that he does
not feel that the Federal Government
viii make any change in routes If II
builds the proposed memorial highway
Such a move" he asserted. would
violate one Of the aims Of the ma
tional administration, for 1t would I'M
poverish one community to aid an
other"
Karr pointed out that communities
along the present road are greatly
developed by business enterprises
while the suggested Sixteenth street
route would 60 through virtually vir-
gin land, land undeveloped but for
few homes.
Conference Monday.
Charles Matthias, J. Walker Carly
Sam w. Naples and Byron Wine
breL.sr, all Of Frederick, said theil
city's committee would confer with
the State Roads Commission on Mon
day to learn what it could concerning
the boulevard proposal. They latel
plan to call q mass meeting OF the
affected communities In Frederick.