davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1959-09-03
An Opinion
Both Sides Erred
In QuinIan Case
An Opinion

The Quinlan affair has provided govern
ment and political interest of a more than
ordinary degree during the hot months-a
time when things are usually rather dull.
The all-Democratic County Council ended
this episode Tuesday when it reappointed VIII
liam A. Quinlan, Republican, to serve his third
term as member of the Board of Appeals for
Montgomery County.
Now that this phase of the controversy is
over, we believe all parties concerned have
learned worthwhile lessons that might help
matters in the future.
NJ L. Reese, County Manager, probably
realizes that it might have been wiser had he
made an official request for the Board to ex-
pedite an unusual case the Potomac Electric
Power Company was about to file. He could
have advanced his reasons (public safety for
his interest (top administrative officer of the
county government in paving the legal way
for the necessary towers.
Mr. Quinlan should realize by now that
he did not use the best judgment in the way
he went about accusing "high official of
trying to use influence in a pending case be-
fore the Board of Appeals" He left big
question unanswered. And he never answered
it officially.
The County Council must know it took
too long to get the facts and make whatever
disposition of the case 1t felt necessary. 1t
took several weeks to issue statement that
meant nothing to anyone. 1t didn't accuse
Reese or Quinlan of any wrong; nor did it
clear either man with finality.
Mrs. Werner, President of the Council,
signed letter sent to Mr. Quinlan and Mrs.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1959-09-03
Wick Byron

Mary Hepburn, the other Republican member
OF the Appeals Board, in which she said "a
needless embarrassment NAV have been
caused to the government of this county,"
This letter and a resolution passed by the
Council asking the Republican State Central
Committee to suggest at least three names for
the minority post on the Board threw this
whole matter into the political pot
BY passing this resolution at this time,
the Democratic Council practically made it i'm
possible for the COP State Central Committee
to do anything but recommend lust one name
that of Mr.. Quinlan To have done other.
wise, would have meant that the Republican
Committee did not back Mr. Quinlan's theory
that Board procedures should be completely
open. Furthermore, he was the best uual-
fled candidate for the post.
Leaders In the Democratic Party knew the
Council had put itself in a position whereby
IL almost had to reappolnt Mr. Quinlan, a rec
ognized, capable lawyer with more than six
years OF excellent service on the Board of AID.
peals. And although 1t seemed like the reap.
polntment was almost matter of routine. il
Is known that lot of high Democratic pres
sure was put on some of the Council members
10 do the wise and only thing that could be
done under the circumstances-to reappoint
Mr.. Quinlan
only B. Houston McCeney refused to vote.
Grover Walker was absent Had he been
tnere ne probably would have voted against
him. Mrs. Werner Mr. Hickey, Mr. Cahoon,
Mr.. Frosh and Mr.. Williams voted for Mr..
Quinlan. However, there will be another chap.
ter in this case.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1959-09-03

The architects of our court rooms need
not follow the execrable designs OF todays
churches and Sunday schools with most re-
sernbling motels, banks and dormitories into
which angels must fear to tread. But there
are some indications they will. The original
Circuit Court room with its soaring ceilings
and hardwood furniture was long ago split
in half. But even So the remaining half, used
for years by the Peoples Court, retained
quiet dignity But now that half has been
cut again and has received a false ceiling,
synthetic paneling and floors imitation leath'
er chairs all of which makes it almost indis-
tinguishable from typical subdivision rec
reation room.
Because of all these changes, we lawyers
Court has convened since 1888 for fear the
walnut fixtures and familiar jury box and
counsel table shall have been replaced by gar.
ish chromium bar stools and pastel wallpaper.
The book cases of the secluded room
where Judges Peter and Woodward smoked
cigars and befriended countless lawyers have
been ripped out. The pictures of those judges
are no longer upon the wall in their accus
toned places The impressive room where
Judge Prescott searched for law and made his
notes has been partitioned off
So why should we not be afraid and cry
"Why must our halls Of justice be denuded of
their symbols and traditions and why was it
that, in one short year, our court room heri.
tage OF many years has been destroyed"
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1959-09-03
Somebody Axed Our
Courtroom Heritage
County Low.

The Circuit Court for Montgomery Coun-
ty sits only in Rockville. 1t decides criminal
and civil cases in which it has unlimited
power The only thing higher than the Cir
cult Court is the Court of Appeals of Mary
land at Annapolis. The Circuit Court can un-
make marriages by granting divorces, and
make a pauper of a wealthy man by entering
a judgment against him.
1t can convict a man for begetting an IL.
legitimate child, and later give his wife
divorce because he is impOtent.. 1g
1t is presided over by four able judges,
who are the only four persons on earth in
this County with the legal right to take life
ty Perhaps it is this fact, so seldom pondered,
that prompts the public to endow upon them
the myth of infallibility; judge who takes
life of another in the name of the law indeed
must be infallible.
However, the law empowering capital
punishment makes no such pretentious claim,
as it is frequently repealed in many States.
The dead mans children with knowledge that
the Legislature, during the session after his
execution, repealed the law which empowered
the Court to execute him, derive no comfort
from this tardy legislation.
Court with these awesOme powers must
function in a forum suitable to its dignity
and traditions. This forum belongs to the
people Of the county and to their heirs. 1t
should not be the plaything Of radical decOra-
tors or transient county employees.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1959-09-03
Near Tragedy-Again

Asst week the Sentinel in a page one editorial sug-
l. gested that the time had for more energetic
and concerted effort by public officials and the Ba-
more and Ohio RR to solve the problem of the four
gradecrossings in the Rockville area.
Only two days before, a near tragic incident oc-
cured in which B & Train speeding at 20 miles per
hour almost pulverized stalled bus on the Randolph
I'd grade crossing Mercifully there were no passen-
gers In the bus and the driver had leaped to safety
We said at the time-and we repeat now-that
some one, day going to be killed at one of these
four crossings. Must sit back and wait for this to
happen?
Hardly was the ink dry on the issue of last week
than another accident occurred at almost the same spot
on Friday night. section of long freight car roar
ing down the tracks to grief and in few seconds
" freight cars were piled crafty into twisted heaps
over wide area Again nobody was killed
But how much longer are we going to be lucky?
When is the first death-or maybe many deaths-go-
ing to happen? 1t is surely only question of time
The great speed with which the trains roar
through Rockville and the lower part of the county
should be reduced, we believe, a start toward sov-
ing the problem. These urban areas-no longer
rlraland should be treated as such by the railroad
And then, with this accomplished the city with its
two crossings and the county, and the State and the
Federal Government-and the & o. should inn
medately move toward solution of this grave grade
crossing problem Time is of the essence-if lives are
to be saved
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1959-09-03

These are complex projects,
and from the standpoint of
engineering design and financ-
ing alone, take considerable
time and effort. You might
recall how long the Georgia
ave. overpass in Silver Spring
took, and also recall that this
was on a far more heavily
Travelled road in a business
district, and under the author
ity of the powerful State
Roads Commission.
I believe in and welcome
editorial criticism of govern
mental action or omission, as
d healthy manifestation of
our democratic way of life,
but / also believe that it
should present the facts COM
pletely and give recognition
to honest effort and accom-
plishment.
Alexander j. Greene
Mayor
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1959-09-03
Bob Bernstein

bv.nroduct of the I2-mOnth plan. Its first pur
nose is to make better teachers OF the men
and women in our schools. Workshops, semi.
mars. research projects, and other lnservice
training features would form the backbone Of
the summer program.
The theory, of course, is that the entire
school system and, hence, Johnny and Mary
would benefit directly from all this training
and research. Also, in the long run, the pro-
gram presumably would help lure more top
notch teachers, and those to whom teaching Is
a lifetime career, to the county.
Such aims obviously are laudable They
also are expensive. The price tag for the first
summer alone, assuming one-eighth OF the
teachers are signed up las Whittier has pro-
posed), would be something more than $4OO,-
600. Adding more teachers in future summers
would raise the tab accordingly.
No one wants to predict what proportion
of the teachers would accept 12-month con-
tracts. if the offer was made uniformly avail
able to all. But it is clear that the program
has built-in cost accelerator BY its nature,
it would attract more of the so-called career
teachers to the system. And such, OF course,
are the very ones who could be expected to
lump at the chance to work, and be paid for,
full year.
If the taxpayers are willing to pay the
bill, Montgomery County could claim real
distinction as pioneer in the march toward
an age of educational excellence. And an age
of new recognition and respect for the valu-
able role Of the once downtrodden teacher.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1959-09-03
County Comment
I2-Mon+h School
Plan Is Praised

The telephones of school board members
and school administrators have been buzzlng
with misguided parental CONSERVATION over
Superintendent Whittier's so-caled 2-month
school program
Many parents, it seems, fear their Johnny
and Mary will be forced to attend school IN
the summer. Others are afraid 12-month
feature will compress the traditional school
program from II to 10 or II years, so that
Johnny and Mary would be graduated from
high school at an unreasonably tender age.
Two points, therefore, need to be made
clear. First: the program would be purely
voluntary for all concerned, both teachers and
students. No one would be forced to do any
thing Second: the "12-month" tag actually
refers more to teachers. not to pupils 1t
means that a certain number of teachers
and someday, perhaps, all who so desire
would be permitted to sign 12'month, instead
of the present 10-month, contracts.
For Johnny and Mary nothing basic
would be changed. AS time goes on, they
might have a broader selection of summer
courses from which to choose, if they are in
clined to spend six or eight weeks of their
vacation in the classroom. But the number of
summer courses has been increasing each
year anyway Enrolment this summer was
about one-third higher than in 1858, and
similar growth can be expected next summer,
12-month plan or no.
In one sense any expansion of summer
school offerings would be merely an incidental
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1959-09-03
Pulls for B&O

would like to comment on
your last weeks front page edi-
torial on the demolition of bus
by a BIO RR train at Randolph
I'd. crossing.
You seem appalled, at the pos.
sibility that the bus might"
have been carrying school chill
dren. A little research at the
Board of Education would have
treasured you. School buses
carrying children haven't been
allowed to use grade crossings
for many years in Montgomery
County (where an alternative
route exists.
1t is alleged that the bus was
returning from a shuttle run TO
Germantown; that he was re.
turning to the suburban bus ga
rage. If so he must have been
on personal business. Randolph
Road wasn't his most direct
route.
Personally, having ridden the
Suburban Bus Lines between
Rockville and Silver Spring,
am deriving a good bit of salts
fiction out of the knowledge that
there is one less of them to stall,
breakdown, or not show up at
all. I shall be pulling for the
BIO to collect damages for
the Diesel locomotive.
Paid Subscriber
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1959-09-03
Time for Action

A REA officials fighting to block the dumping of sew
age in the Potomac River above local water intakes
, deserve all of the public support they can get
niggardy Congress- willing to spend billions for
pork barrel projects back home has suddenly become econ
omy-inded and decided to spend only $75O000 for
age disposal at Dulles International Airport at Chanly
Va. AS result the airport will be forced to dump its
treated sewage into the Potomac River above points at
which Rockville the District and both Montgomery and
Prince Georges Counties take out their water for public
use
Congress has refused to appropriate 1872 million for
the pipeline that should be built from the airport to the
District treatment plant (where the efuence is dumped
into the river below Washington Instead it wants the
treatment plant built at Chanlly where the effluence
must be dumped into the Potomac above Washington
Historically there has been firm policy that this bad
practice should not be allowed 1t is true that the sewage
will be treated but treatment systems sometimes break
down and never under the most favorable situations
are they 100 per cent effective.
The whole thing is pretty sorry situation and we
hope all of public officials Congressman especial
ly, will try to correct it.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1959-09-03

IL Of u.s. from time to time must eat crow and it is
~ now-t seems-the turn of those die-hard school
administration critics who last year managed to raise quite
lot of rucks the giving away of 10000 out
textbooks for overseas use.
This week. after publicly advertising for bids, the
school board sold 10000 old books They got $500
for the lot which to average of three cents apiece
Quarresome critics of the school SYSTEM Selling upon the
slightest pretex to voice strong criticism last year made
much noise the giving away of the 10000 books They
argued the books should have been sold.
School officials at the time protested that they would
welcome any suggestion to how their book disposal
thods could be improved Other school systems confirmed
that they have the problem Hardly anyone it seems
wants old school textbooks particularly when they're OBJ
solete.
In conducting their campaign of dsparagement the
critics based their in large part letter from book
company salesman that his firm definitely would be inter-
ested in purchasing of the books Ironically and
little sadly for the critics. the company which
this week was the successful bidder for the boot three
cents apiece.
Two other bids received which should we think
effectively silence the criticism of this phase of school OPP
Grafton One of them from a paper stock company
offering IL cents for each hundred pounds of books
The third and final bid received was from junk company
offering $36 for the entire lot of 10000 books
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1959-09-03
Foley Backed

There is a vast uproar today
in the Sixth Congressional Dis
trict over Congressman .Foley's
votes on the labor bills. 1t is to
be expected that two categories
Of citizens would be more or
less outraged at whatever posi-
ton the Congressman might
take.
The first category, Of course,
is the political opposition to the
Congressman - those who
hitched their wagons to the
wrong star. The second cate.
CORY is that elusive yet ubiqu-
itous band of people known as
Status Seekers, an infestation
OF which has all but taken over
Montgomery County. The Status
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1959-09-03
QuinIon Case

INNS has been written to the Quinlan case WIN
the reappointment of the veteran Board OF Appears
member, for another three years.
Now that it is all over it would appear that Qunian
scored something of personal victory Although ne Is
einetly qualified for the post-and this was never cha-
lenged during the long conroversyhe won reappont-
ment only by narrow margin Some Councimen obvious
.ly voted to name him again only with reluctance
The basic issue was whether Mr.. Quinlan right
in rfng his feathers what he interpreted to be an
attempt by "high county official to interfere with the
prerogatve of the Appeals Board We think it is whale
of lot better to have the board who would
tend to do what Quinan did rather than have someone
who would tend the other way and possibly along with
special interests who practice the art of quiet pressure
Quinlan-and the Council-are to be congratulated
on the way the whole thing turned out The public airing
of their differences served useful purpose Now each
side can get on with the important business at hand
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1959-09-03
Mayor Replies

WY
Despite frequent temptation,
I am not given, to writing let
tiers to the newspapers correct
ing inaccuracies or omissions.
However, in connection with
your front page editorial of Au-
gust 81, on the grade crossings,
I feel that this is such an impor-
tant issue that 1 must correct
any misimpressions.
First, only two of the four
railroad crossings you describe
as "in Rockville" are within the
city limits of Rockville. This
fact is significant only in light
of your calling upon the city,
among others, to do something
about them.
Secondly, with respect to the
two crossings over which the
City of Rockville has some jur-
isdiction, we are doing some
thing. What we are doing with
regard to each is summarized
below:
1. Halpine Road Grade
Crossing: The City of Rock
vile initiated a plan for a pro-
posed underpass to be con-
structed at Thompson ave., to
eliminate the grade crossing
at Halpine I'd. in the month of
May, 1858. This plan was re-
viewed and disapproved by
the Maryland State Roads
Commission because of bad
approach gradients. The Com
mission proposed the alterna-
tive of constructing an over
pass using Rollins ave. as an
approach.
Since that time, the City
has: (a) prepared a plan of
preliminary alignment and
grade establishment which has
received tentative approval of
the State Roads Commission;
(b) discussed the financing of
the project through the use of
Federal funds, but found that
the sum required (approxi-
mately $600,00O) was not
available to the City, since to
date the City has only ac-
crued $32,677 in this fund. To
qualify for any contribution
through this source, a route
must link two major thor
oughfares, and the City would
therefore have to consider a
complete road from Veirs
Mill Road to East Montgom-
cry ave., the balance to be fl
nanced by the City; (c) con-
ferred with County officials
with respect to establishing
the proposed overpass and
roadway as a route to be in
corporated in the State Sec
ondary Road System; I'D
held discussions with CONSUL
tant engineers who are con-
sidered bridge specialists with
regard to the eventual design
of the structure; (e) arranged
for a further discussion to be
held with the Public Works
Dire tor of Montgomery
County, Mr.. Mason A. Butch
er, on September 9, 1859, to
discuss respective RESPONSE
bilities with regard to the de-
sign, construction and financ-
ing of the proposed overpass
at Rollins ave.
2. Frederick Avenue Grade
Crossing: The City of Rock
vile is at this time investi-
eating the possibilities of con-
structing an overpass at Lin
coin ave. to connect with N.
Washington ST., thereby elimi-
mating the Frederick ave.
grade crossing. Preliminary
alignment has been deter
mined and the City will short
ly submit a plan to the State
Roads Commission for re.
view. No financial details
have been worked out with
regard to this overpass, but
1t Is known that there are no
Federal or State funds avail
able for this project.
Thus, while the grade cross
ings are not yet eliminated,
we are doing everything we
can to achieve that goal.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1959-09-03

Pen names may be used
but letters will not be pub
Eshed unless the aOriter
Identifies himself to the
Sentinel.
The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1959-08-27
Noble Cookies

The Noble Cookies All club
met August 81 at the home of
Veronica Sailing. Meeting was
called to order by president,
Maureen Bowling. Roll call was
answered with an idea on the
fair booth. Seven members and
one advisor were present.
There was no old business, but
we discussed the fair booth as
new business. Sandra Nau gave
a demonstration on how to make
tailor tack. Judy Wilson gave
a demonstration on how to sew
on a button. Veronica Sailing
gave a safety talk and Lois Til
ton gave health talk. Meeting
adjourned and refreshments of
ice cream, kool-aid and cup cakes
were served.
The club met last week at Judy
Wilson'S. There were nine mem
bers and one advisor present.
Carla Bowling gave a demonstra-
ton on a we'll packed lunch. We
decided who was going to give
demonstrations on Thursday
evening. We decided to meet in
a week to work on fair booth.
Judy Wilson-Reporter.
The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1959-08-27
lQhd0nni WQufion

/ Weekend visitors at the hOm,
of Mr.. and Mrs. Elmer Bettinge1
and family, of Caldwell route
were Mr.. and Mrs. Charles Bet
finger and children from Can
ton;> Mrs. Ancil King and chill
dren from Reinersville; Mr.. anc
Mrs. Jim Wickham and daughter
Judy, of Caldwell route, Mrs
Everett Feldner, of Caldwell, ano
Mr.. and Mrs. James Bettingel
and children, of Berne.
Recent visitors in the home o.
Mr.. and Mrs. Forest Archer, OF
Summerfield route, were theil
son, Richard Archer and wife
of New Concord; great grand
daughter, little Miss Dawn Lou
Archer, Of GAINESVILLE; 1t. and
Mrs. Robert Davis and son, Dale
Robert of Lawton, Oklahoma
and Mrs. David Blackwood, OF
Quaker City route. Mrs. Black
wood and Mrs. Davis are their
granddaughters.
Mr.. and Mrs. Bernard Carnes
and son, Eugene, and Mrs. Ivan
Carnes, Of Belle Valley, spent
Wednesday at Columbus. Mrs
Ivan Carnes and grandson
Eugene, remained to visit for a
few days with Mr.. and Mrs
Wayne T. Brown.
Mr.. and Mrs. Harry Knox, OF
North street, were weekend
guests in the home of Mr.. and
Mrs. Eugene Leach and daugh-
ter, Martha, of Westerville.
Amos Day Jr., son of Mr.. and
Mrs. Amos Day, North street has
arrived home from Indianapolis,
Ind. David Etc, of California, is
also a guest in the Day home.
Miss Dawn Carol and Marianne
Johnson, of Pataskala, visited
Sunday afternoon with Miss
Karen Sue Bates and Joyce Ann
Bates, of Sarahsville.
Mr.. and Mrs. James johnson,
of Pataskala and Mr.. and Mrs.
Ivan Ziler, West Playground
street, visited Sunday afternoon
in the home of Mr.. and Mrs. Don
E. Ziler and daughter, Sherri
Lynne of Cumberland route.
Other guests in the Ziler home
were Mr.. Elvin Ziler and daugh-
ter, Clarelaine of Brookfield
township.
c. F. Beckett and daughter,
Linda, of San Angelo, Texas,
visited with friends and relatives
in this area last week. They were
Thursday dinner guests of Mr..
and Mrs. Bolon Barnhous, Of
Bronze Heights.