davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1962-12-13
This Is Progress?

When I read the plan for
Rockville's face-lifting, I rub
bed my eyes in arnazement,
looked again at the story and
pictures of the "new'city, and
when 1 realized 1 was reading
it correctly, I cried out in dis
may "Oh, not"
/ am sure our Creator, if he
has a moment in these trou-
bled times to glance at our
activities, must surely wipe a
silent tear from his eyes and
wonder: when will these
humans ever learn"
There seems to be a mass
hysteria sweeping through our
country. We are prosperous,
wealthy, and like all powerful
people are now frightened that
somebody will come in and
steal our wealth. And so we
seem to be either digging cof-
fins under the ground where
we can hide and at the
same time, which is possibly
even worse, building higher
and higher monstrosities
where we should live and
work. Today, for some reason,
our planners think that what
people need are more and
more commercialization, wider
and wider roads, and more and
dangerous traffic. The once
beautiful Rockville Pike, with
its bigger and bigger stores
and signs is a good example
Of local progress.
Rockville has, in all the sub.
urbanization of its surround
ing, remained a lovely quiet
little town, with an interesting
identity of its own. Does this
satisfy our planners, who plan
ned the thousands and thou
sands Of box-like cracker box
dwellings in the area? They
say, this town is sleepy, it has
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1962-12-13
by Barney Welsh

stone angels and cheribums smiled as she
walked with her father to the altar. And l
might say. as one father to another, that I
hope that do as well when my times comes
to Join that innumerable caravan which
got side tracked there Very few fathers could
do as well as Dave did that evening. 1 men,
ton this twice because nobody mentions the
father of the bride at wedding and have a
lot of admiration for a man who raises love
" daughter to lose her to a lawyer, however
fine he is.
We watched all of Rockville transfer to
the Cathedral and all of the judiciary too.
The entire Circuit Court Bench was present,
also part of the Federal Court from Balti-
more. all of the Peoples Court and even the
fallen angels from the office of that Ole Deb
bill, the States Attorney. But these young dep
uty prosecutors and the Chief Ole Debbil him.
self, were ushers and one of them tripped on
the steps just like he does in the court room
so felt right at home with my court room
enemies.
My but it was wonderful when the organ
played the wedding march 1t sort of cleared
ones head and drove away the thousand
thoughts that old folks think during a we'd
ding. And the girls in blue and green walked
Uy-SOII VI Tic SWAIllS sea
when the sun light hits it right.
And then there is a hush for the process
sion has passed by and the age old ritual COM
mences once again and the power of ecclesias-
teal law is felt by all of the people, lawyers
and judges present. And the marriage vows
are taken in words that are as much part
Of the English language as the Lords Prayer
and listening to them brings tears.
1t is relief when it is over and tho
tenseness has subsidized. And it was grand to
hear the organ again and watch the married
couple walk swiftly out and be whisked away
to new life.
Joined the serpentine receiving line that
wound around and around in the specious
halls and rooms of Chevy Chase Club drank
the champagne from the back of the line un-
til 1 reached the bride and 1 kissed the
brides mother just like did in high school
in the roaring fifties. The roar has gone out
of this lion since those days but there were
moments at the wedding that thought
could roar again
l know this is pretty poor account Of a
mighty fine wedding but I have run out of
space. oh yes, about that courageous officer:
the certain local citizen that he gave the ticket
to for speeding was Dave Belts who was run
ming behind on his now famous trip from
Hectic Hill to the Washington Cathedral for
Barbara's wedding
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1962-12-13
Broken Man Sobs Tale
Of Never Serving County

From: Bill ii. McAda, reporter
To: Roger B. Farquhar, Sentinel
editor
Subject: Scoop of the year.
Dear Boss,
/ have bumped into a story
which 1 believe would be a nat.
ural for the readers of our news
paper. 1t is the tender and
touching story of a man who
has been completely ignored by
his government, his friends,
anti-government groups and
even his enemies.
Unreal as it will seem, Mr..
FELTON, P. F'inster has never
been named to a single govern
mental committee in all of
Montgomery County!
Realizing how unbelievable
such a story is, I interviewed
Mr.. Finster to get the quotes
you would require to back up
my find. Here is the interview
exactly as I lived it and wrote
it:
Me: "Mr. Finster, tell me, sir,
is it really true you have never
been appointed or elected to any
committee, agency, council, COM
mission, or board, in the 50
years you have lived in Mont
gomery County,"
Mr.. Finster turned his head
and stared far out across the
rolling hills surrounding his Up
County farm. His finger wan
dered wistfully over a list of so
or more government commit
tees, agencies, councils, commits
sions, and board, had handed
him minutes before. Then he
turned to face me and there
was determination in the set of
his jaw.
Finster: "All right, darn it,
it's true! My own people have
passed me by-all these years."
tThere was a culver in his
voice.
Me: ut seems incredible, Mr..
Finster." (To show my SYM
pathy I CLICKED my teeth-Tch!
Tch!-To show him I, too, felt
the pangs of hurt throbbing in
his heart.) why have they over
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1962-12-13
Yet Another Agency?

Montgomery County Counclmen should keep keen
eye on the future of what remains of autonomous govern
ment Political epediency possibly axity in the
past has allowed too many groups under this or that
to chip away at the Councils right to sedeermination
The hist OF agencies boards commissions etc. holding
these chips is too long to mention 1t viii include Is to 20
and take into account none of the Cocapponted bodies
who help to do the local job.
Recently there was suggested top-level planning
agency to have the final say such matters as location of
highways rapid transit routes and major employment CEN
ers both public and private The proposal the
tonal Capital Regional Planning Council an advisory
group.
Without question, there worthwhile ends to be
gained by the creation of this yet another agency But the
suggestion of another agency of type another simply
follows the pattern of past years which has seen the birth
OF an agency every time new problem pops up.
might be well for full reassessment of the duties
responsibilities and authority of the multiplicity agencies
and commissions which exist Many are known to
overlap duplicate and often compcate the job of nipple
mentng solutions to problems as they develop
In any case let the Council watch its future position
with care and even jealousy
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1962-12-13
by Les KimbIe

Hall estimates that there are 1000
hate groups on the far right and 15O on
! the far left. He estimates that seven mill
lion Americans, SIS million on the far
right and 1.5 million on the far left. are
connected with these extremist groups.
Those on the far right tend to attack
I racial and religious groups while those on
the far left tend to attack system or an
idea. Many of these groups have one
thing in cOmmOn-they try to silence
those opposed TO them. They are not
content to discuss and debate ideas i'm a
rational way.
Hall defends the right Of all to speak,
even those of the hate groups that he is
fighting so hard. Hall points out that we
must all be careful to distinguish between
liberals and conservatives on one hand and the
extremist groups on the other. Liberal and
conservatives Americans have faith in our
system Of government, the extremists do not.
That is why extremists will try to silence op-
posing opinion by any method that will work
and that they can get away with.
we have two recent examples of small hur-
rlcanes OF hate, one in Mississippi and one
in the nations capital on Thanksgiving Dav
1t is good to know that neither one of these
hurricanes of hate are being forgotten. Let
the conditions that produced them be kept
under surveillance
IL was good to see in last weeks Sentinel
letter from an organization in Mississippi
offering to furnish speakers to groups in
Montgomery County for the purpose of ex.
planning Mississippis attitudes and problems
Let us hear from all groups Let opinions
flourish and do battle with each other in
open, honest debate. believe that Americans
can recognize the extremists as long as all
opinions are heard and as long as we have
enough Americans who have and will voice
their opinions.
BY Gordon Halls estimate we have 115o
whirlwinds of hate throughout the United
States. The way to keep these whirlwinds
from growing into hurricanes is to voice YOUR
opinion no matter what it may be. Speak I'D.
Write letter to newspaper or to maya
zine One group of dangerous trouble.makers
in this country are those citizens who never
hold or voice an opinion.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1962-12-13
Project the QuoIity

Montgomery County's newly-constitued School Board
has before it documents outlining the financial needs
Of the massive school system for the coming fiscal year.
The dollar amount is staggering always but it is less
than in the immediate past
There two theories to why Supt. c. Taylor
Whittier able to offer proposed budgets which require
fewer expenditures than in the 1928 school year. Critics
say Dr. Whittier the politically moderate handwriting
the wall and applied the blue pencil with gsto Dr. Whit
tier chief architect of the budget proposal says the spend
in deciding which tems-mostly in the field Of expansion
and new consIuction-coud be deleted postponed.
But the why the budget request is held down.
about S4 million under the total amount authorized last
year despite the normal student load growis hardly
poran The important thing obviously is that it held
down.
Molding the 92000-plus young people of the county
into responsible and Intellectually responsive citizens is
awesome job that todays way of life has allowed to be
divided between parents and the schools AS any father
knows. his part of the job is expensive
This week. when Dr. Whittier revealed to the press his
proposed operating budget he called it ian adequate mini
mum budget to maintain status quo If he this
acty it said there may be for
anyone who is half awake knows Status quo is standing
still while the schools must move forward.
This is not to say that Dr. Whittier should not have
made the cuts The paths of his discretion are audable
and indicate there may be breathing spell for taxpayng
citizens in the future
But we hope that DR. Whittiers discretion trimmed
away only excesses and left intact those virtues of the
school system which have consistently produced the highest
aures for the ways of learning in Montgomery County.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1962-12-13
From This Angle
Hurricanes andHa+e

The beginning of a hurricane is not an
impressive event-the warming of the air in
a small section of the 1arths surface the
rising Of that warmed air. and then the grad
ual circling of the air about the warm spot.
In the Atlantic where many hurricanes form
there are no Instructions to break up that
circular motion of air. Air continues to whirl
about spot in the ocean, drawing more air
in from the calmer atmosphere around it.
Unimpeded by land masses the hurricane
grows in strength and fury until it smashes
everything in its path.
just as rising warm air under favor.
able conditions can grow into a hurricane
so hate groups, although small in size, can
pull in the calmer elements around them
and in time destroy the society and the
culture of a nation. just as obstruction
of hills and mountains can break up
hurricane, I believe that buIwarks of re-
spOnsible opinion can break uD hate
groups. Varying opinions from the peo-
pie obstruct the flow of hatepropaganda
and must be surmomted by the peddIers
Of hate.
III, however, opinion is silenced by any
means, direct or indirect, so that only one or
two elements of opinion are heard we have
a condition which might be compared to the
vast stretches of flat ocean areas which are
conducive to the formation of hurricanes.
Recently this column mentioned the fear of
controversy which apparently has done much
to make large minority of our high school
students in some areas ready to give up some
OF our basic freedoms. This fear of contro-
versy tends to hold down the expression of
opinion and so produces flat surface of con-
fornity where hurricanes of hate can form.
An article by Roul Tunley entitled BAT
tier Against Bigotry" in the Dec issue of the
Saturday Evening Post describes one mans
crusade again hate groups. This one man,
Gordon Hall, quit his job and went to work
fighting extremist groups of both the right
and the left. His funds are provided only by
the lecture fees he earns. He has no staff.
except for his family, and no official backing
of any kind. He has compiled one of the most
exhaustive files of hate literature in the coun.
try. He lectures all over the nation, exposing
the names and methods of the haters.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1962-12-13
The Public Forum

to be modernized.We must re-
move any individual identity
the town has, and give it the
special stamp of commercializ-
alton and hecticness that is
now sweeping our country. II
life is to be hectic in America,
let's not escape it here.
Because Rockville is the
County Seat and many, am
sure, love the city, urge our
planners and city fathers to
visit the city of Princeton,
N. ]. Here thoughtful citizens
have successfully fought PRO
gress" and high rise buildings.
There a beautiful Palmer
Square has been built, with
artistic shops, excellent taste
and sheer beauty. The atmo-
sphere of the business area is
somewhat like Williamsburg.
On Saturdays and Sundays,
families stroll down the main
street, do their shopping, visit
the local library, attend a con-
cert at the University, and
just relax.
In Princeton, anything "hign
rise" is an anathama and
fought against valiantly by an
alert citizenry who care. They
love their little town, they
love their old and charming
homes, and they won't permit
creeping commercialism des-
troy these esthetic values they
cherish.
The local government Off.
Gals of Rockville have an
ideal opportunity to make our
County seat an inspiring cul-
tural center. It's efforts can
become a guide for other
municipalities throughout the
nation. 1 can see a beautiful
square, with green parks,
beautiful buildings housing
our library, a county museum
to preserve the local history
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1962-12-13

County Government Agency?
>. Appeals Tax Court? f.
Board Of Appeals? Person
mel Board? -. Range Approval
Cotnynittee? Electrical
Board? Recreation Board?
-. Financial Advisory Commit
tee to the County Cuncil? /.
F'inster: TITS hopeless :"
Me: Human Relations Com
mission? -. Sewage and Drain
age Commission? Welfare
Board? Library Board? i.
Civil defense Advisory Commit
tee? -. Safety Board? +. .Po-
lice Relief and Retirement
Board? Board of License
Commissioners?
Finster, poor, poor Mr.. Fin
ster placed his head on the table.
There were spasms Of sobbing.
He said nothing while 1 cropped
for something to make him q
whole man.
q. Board of Education?
Fire Board? County
Council?.
Finster: They must hate me,
they must hate me-" he Sobbed
over and over.
The list went on until l real
lied it was hopeless. BY now
tears flowed unashamedly from
his Redeemed eyes. My driving
questions may have broken any
spirit. No place-No place on
committee.
With the lump in the throat
reporters are never supposed to
have, / left him in his detection.
AS ! started to drive away
from his home, l heard him call
to me from his porch:
Are you going to print what
/ have told your" Ills voice
was cracking.)
Me: We'll, yes, l think the
people of the county would
want to know your plan and
anguish" Image man in Mont
gomery without committee!
Finster: But isn't that libel
Gus? l mean, you are holding
me up to public rfdicule."
Me: "Pll write it with honesty
and sympathy"
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1962-12-13
Three Crosses
Trudy Morse

In a recent issue of the
Sentinel, Edna A. Reber writes
under Memories Are Stirred
by Faded Old Homes" asking
the question about the three
crosses across the road from
the main house at Greenwood.
These three crosses mark
the meeting place of the East
Montgomery County Council
OF Churches for the annual
Easter Sunrise Service. The
Council of Churches conducts
the service INSTRUMENTATION
ally on an interracial and inter-
faith basis in observance of the
Resurrection of the Master on
that first Easter morning.
Starting in 1912, it has been
observed for 20 years and
though the attendance is small.
seven or eight denominations
have been represented and
members of different races and
faiths have come.
The East Montgomery Coun-
ty Council consists of about 10
white churches and five Negro
churches and the fellowship
observed reflects a Christian
atmosphere that is encourag-
ing in the life of the local
council.
Wilbur r. Nash. Jr.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1962-12-13

community S progress and economic prosperity are
part and parcel of the stories of its business areas
As the old chestnut goes they together like hands in
gloves.
1t behoves u.s. then to pause second before shufing
off to the crowds and congestion of the big stores downtown
to spend the hatfu we somehow, manage to spend for
Christmas
Corny as it may seem, we believe in supporting our
communities enterprises and retail establishments We be-
eve stores and shops heeabous need the encouragement
Of your spending and the faith you express by patronage
Of the job they're trying to do majority of our business
firms are owned and operated by people who live and pay
taxes in Montgomery. So do you.
In short what we're trying to say is this: Buy at home
You're not dealing with duds when you deal with the home
town boys and girls You're dealing with group of enter
psng purveyors of goods and services second to none
Make no mistake about it, when you spend bit more
IN the home baiwck and contribute to the successes of
local businesses you reap than the convenences of
local buying! You strike substantial blow for the contin-
ing growth expansion and prosperity of the county as
whole
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1962-12-13

and county. A small nature
center and zoo would be fun
for the children. And l dream
OF a large concert hall for
local artists to perform and to
be encouraged. National and
foreign artists could also be
sponsored by this group. Sure
~, a county such as ours with
the wealth and educational
background of its citizens de.
serves such a beautiful County
seat.
The duty of good govern.
ment has always been to pre-.
serve the history and encour-
age the arts of its people. Let
our Citizens for Good Govern
ment take the lead and build
a small cultural center so
necessary amidst the mater
ialism and commercialism of
our age.
Trudy Morse
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1962-12-13

looked you?"
Finster: II guess .. I guess
-. a a. no good. (He
shifted loudly for emphasis.)
Me: "But surely you must be
good for something. There must
be something you know some
thing about"
(Mr. Finster shook his head.
He was looking down at his
hands twisting them nervously.)
Me: How about the Taxicab
Review Board?" / asked, hoping
to cheer him with a spear of
hope.
His alert eyes frightened.
1--WE ridden in a couple in my
time" His eyes returned to his
nervous hands. But nobody
ever asked me to serve on the
Taxicab Review Board =. ever"
Finsters grief and humiliation
was yelling up into his eyes. He
was making little whimpering
sounds deep in his throat.
knew there was a place for
him, someplace. In Montgo-
merry County, everyone serves
on a committee
Reckless in my dispair for
Mr.. Finster, I offered:
Agricultural Sterilization
and Conservation Committee?"
Finster: NO" he answered.
Me: Maryland National Capt.
tai Planning Commission"
Finster: mo, no." (Tears
welling)
Me: Transportation Compact
N g o tia tion Commission"
COnly a negative nod of his
kindly face
Archaeological Transporta-
ton Agency? Washington
Area Transit Commission? 4.
interstate Commission on the
Potomac River Basin? Metro
politan Washington Council of
Governments? Washington
Suburban Sanitary Commits
Finster Never a word to
me :"
Me: University of Maryland
Extension Service? Board
of Supervisors of Elections? /. /.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1962-12-13

les Jamison, Samuel Riggs,
Charles Buscher, and Edwin
Bright.
Hardy, states attorney and
principal speaker at the organ
Rational meeting, said the
group will avoid the extremes
OF both left and the right, and
provide the vast majority of the
party's membership with the
IN o derate" leadership they
want.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1962-12-13
MOderates Form New Demo Croun

Moderates of the Democratic
Party organized this week into
the Montgomery Democrats"
In an effort to heal party
wounds and return the party to
its former position Of domin-
ance.
About 100 party members at
tended the organizational meet
ing.
According to Alger Barbee,
a member of the groups execu.
tive council, the organizations
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1962-12-13

aim is to unite the presently
split county Democrats under
middle-of-the-r DAD leadership
and regain control of the
County Council and the State
Legislative delegation in the
next election"
Named to the council with
Barbee were Leonard Hardy,
Virginia Black, Donald Lam
borne, Edwin Brown, Wiley
Barrow, Donald Claggett, Char
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1962-12-13

SUBSCRIPTION RATES
One Year $3.50 Two Years 81. 70
Telephone: Garden 4.7TO0
Mailed In Maryland and the
District OF Columbia
ons Tear $500 out II Stnts
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1962-12-13
gaHtaametr
Cdlla4Statintl

Established 1855
by MdtthetO Fields
Published by
MORKAP PUBLISHING co.
ROGER B. FARQUHAR
Editor and General Manager
LEONARD KAPTLOFF
Publisher
BERNARD KAPILOFP
President
MICHAEL r. McDADE
Circulation Manager
Member Audit Bureau OF Circulation
Maryland Press Association, Affiliate
member National Editorial Association.
Published every Thursday AZ us Z,
montgomery Ave. Rockville. Md.
Entered as second class matter a,
Post Office, Rockville, Maryland, undef
Act OF Congress. March 3. 1879.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1962-12-13

Wilbur r. Nash, Jr.
Milford chronicle., 1962-12-21

the Christmas spirit by singing
many carols with Carolyn at the
piano After devotions, led by Mrs.
Sadie Favinger, and the mizpah
'benediction, gifts were exchanged
and a gift was presented to the
leader for her leadership the past
two years.
All were invited ito the dining
area and enjoyed the delicious re-
freshments of chicken salad, ham
salad, sandwiches, coffee, cookies,
cakes, and many other goodies.
Each member had a gift at her
place at the table. AT a late hour,
all left saddened by going into a
new group in January, and thank
ing Mrs. Horvat for her hospitali-
ty.
To all the readers of this column
and my many friends, invite you,
one and all, to come enjoy our
Christmas scenes and decorations,
both inside and outside. The lights
will be on by Saturday, Dec o.
/ wish you all a very Merry
Christmas and Happy and Pros
porous New Year.
Serena Hayes