Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1958-07-31
Wick Byron

Trying to figure out why public officials do
certain things isn't always the easiest thing to
do. But we believe it would be interesting to
speculate few questions this week.
Why did Harry Shaw, Chief Engineer of
the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commits
sion, push with such speed the pIa, to extend
a sewer trunk line up the Northwest Branch?
This is especially pertinent since the project
would be outside the jurisdiction of the Sanitary
Commission, is not included in its fiveyear con-
struction program and is not included in the
general development plan for the area created
by the Maryland-National Capital Park and
Planning Commission.
First of all, Harry Shaw the strong-willed
"boss" of the Sanitary Commission has always
wanted to put sewer line up the Northwest
Branch He saw an opportunity when the Seventh
day Adventists came to him asking the possibili-
ties of getting sewer service to a 263-acre tract
at Browns Corner and Colesville Road on old 29.'
The Adventists have option to buy this proper
ty and would like to it for the future home of
the Washington Missionary College.
The sewer trunk line would cost in the neigh
borhood of 100000. The Adventists agreed to pay
100000 Mr. Shaw got busy the plans. He
submitted them to the Park and Planning Com,
mission and the County Council about As days ago..
We imagine Mr.. Shaw emissions great growth
along the route of this proposed trunk line. This
Sanitary Commission And all of this might not
be such bad idea if the proper plans and coming
regulations could be put into effect. However, 80
or go days is awfuly short time for any project
of this magnitude to be rushed through.
The planning staff of the Maryand-l
National Capital Park and Planning Commission
has done an excellent job in trying to make pro.
visions for orderly development in Montgomery
County. OF course, the really great example is
the overall coming plan of the vast almost I'M
developed Cabin John area The same could be
done with the beautiful 10000 acres that make up
the Northwest Branch valley. But it takes more
thought and planning than people like Shaw,
Gingery and others seem to want to give it.
Why did the Park and Planning Commits
sion hurredly approve this Northwest Sewer
Trunk Line Monday?
There are several reasons, most of which are
unknown. But there is no secret that Don Gingery
is builder with burning desire to see houses
everywhere and the closer they are built together
the better he seems to like it. He is strong per-
sonality. He bellows like bull He flattens his
opponents. He has enough knowledge to sound i'm
pressive at times. He gives the impression of
being man of action. He is. But most of the
time he is like buldozer. He goes in swinging
and if what he chops down is right that's fine
IT, on the other hand, he destroys lot of good
that's tough 1t is unfortunate that his chief
opponent Newton Brewer, wasn't there to calm
him bit. At any rate, Mr.. Gingery bulldozed
some members of Prince Georges County and
they voted with him. 4
1t isn't at all clear why the Republicans
David Scull and Lou Gravelle, went along with the
quick decision to approve this trunk line. We
would dislike believing that both Scull and Ora
velle were thinking about things other than good