The Morning Herald from Hagerstown, Maryland • Page 3

People He's been on the railroad By MAURY MACHT William Bretvbaker Jr. Is one railroad man who says he's glad the diesels replaced steam locomotives. As a man who has spent his Hie around railroad yards and his adult life working as a locomotive mechanic and supervisor, he should know. "I'm one person who never missed the steam locomotive," he says. "It was dirty work, hard work.

You'd wear new overalls to work and by dinnertime it looked like you had 'em on for six months." For the past 10 years, Brewbaker has been general foreman of the locomotive shops and car foreman for the Chessie system in Hagerstown. i a Maryland line several years ago. Brewbaker's job to see that all the engines and railroad cars in Hagerstown are in good working order, It's a big job, with many responsibilities, stemming from the large surroundings of the round house located between Burhans Boulevard and W. Washington Street in the city's west end, Brewbaker, 54, is a tall, husky man, not afraid to voice opinions and full of railroad yarns and codes to live by. What he's learned in 36 years working for the railroad, he says, in great part had been passed to him by his father, William M.

Brewbaker whom he says is "the best railroad man I ever saw." The senior Brewbaker worked locally for the railroads for 42 years before retiring in 1965. He since has been a Judge of (he Orphans Court. For years he held the general foreman's job the son now holds. The round house was built to con- lain the gigantic 150,000 pound diesel engines which the mechanics repair. The men, in work boots, hard hais and engineer coveralls, are dwarfed by'the elephantine machines.

Brew-baker says (he work is hazardous and highly specialized. The have to be constanlly alert for moving locomotives. They have to be aware of the massive electric voltage In the diesel engines. A good railroad mechanic, Brewbaker says, lakes years to develop. At least four years of apprenticeship and then four years for a man to be "on bis own" are required before he becomes master at his craft.

Mechanics live by the thought, "That it just takes a little longer to do the impossible," he says. Most of the mechanics have worked at Hie yards for many years, They seem to bear out his adage that "When you get a drink of Western Maryland water, you're destined to die there." Nevertheless, over the years Brewbaker has seen Ihe work force at Western a a drop from 800 employes in the locomotive and car shops to 200 employes. The loss has had some effect on employe morale, he says. "When I lirst came, everybody worked like a family. We all felt no railroad could do well as Ihe Western anything as Maryland." The decline of the railroad's Influence has been felt in Brcwbaker's family.

Ills son won't continue Ihe tradition of working In the yards. And his three daughters from 25 years of marriage lo Anna Margaret Stoner Brewbaker aren't likely to follow their father. When he steps down from Ihe railroads, Brewbaker says he'll be leaving more than a job. "I grew up on railroad men's laps. I brought my father his lunch to Ihe yard when I was 12.

Everything revolved around the railroad. 1 didn't even know there were other Industries. "I come from a railroad family. My wife's people are railroad people. My father-in-law worked here for 42 years.

Her grandfather worked here 40 years. My father worked here 42 years and I've worked 35 years. That's 159 years of railroad service in the' family." Bill the railroad (or Police log Hitchhiker takes auto A Rockville, Md. man had his car stolen by a hitchhiker, while he stopped lo pick up auto parts near Cearfoss, state police said. But by the end of the day, both the hitchhiker and the stolen car were picked up in Charles Town, W.

Va. by state police there, police said. Police said James C. Jenkins picked up the man outside Frederick, late Thursday evening. The next morning he and a friend and the hitchhiker, identified as John Henry Jenkins of Baltimore, slopped near Cearfoss.

When James Jenkins and his friend got out of the car, the hitchhiker allegedly drove off. John Henry Jenkins is being held at Jefferson County Jail, pending exlradition for auto theft, police said. Police said that they have not yet located James C. Jenkins, who left the area 'during police investigation. The Jenkins' are not related.

Fire damages Sharpsburg Post Office Fire damaged the front section of the Sharpsburg Post Office at 6:50 p.m. Saturday, fire officials said. The Sharpsburg Fire Co. battled the blaze for more than an hour before bringing it under control. Fire Chief Terry Mose said that no cause has yet been found for the fire.

Damage costs have not yet been estimated. Officials said the Post Office will be open for business today. Advertising sign wrecked by vandals Vandals did between $700 to $1,000 damage to a flourescenl sign at the Martha Washington Candies and Ice Cream shop at 1301 Pennsylvania city police said. Police said an object was thrown at Ihe sign overnight Saturday. Resident beaten by juveniles A group of juveniles 'surrounded a man leaving the Bull Ring Tavern Sunday at 1:15 a.m., and one punched him in the nose, city police said, Police said the incident occurred at the corner of S.

Potomac and Antielam Streets. Edward L. Bryan of the first block of Madison Avenue was treated and 'released from Washington County Hospital for a broken nose, police said. CB radio taken from car A thief broke into a car owned by Charles Eugene Tyrrell, of the 400 block of IS 1 Prospect and stole a Citizen's Band radio valued at $125, city police, said. Tires, rim removed from trailer A' thief stole two tires and two wheel rims from the side of a trailer which was parked at the first block of W.

Lee Street over the weekend, city police said. The loss was estimated at $400. The trailer is owned by Myers Truck Leasing Co. of Allentown, Pa. Women team to rob jeweler Two unidentified women teamed up to rob Saum's Jewelers 49 W.

Washington of a ring valued at J875, city police said. Police said a woman with stringy blonde hair, 5-feet, 5- inches weighing 260 pounds, talked to the clerk while another woman, described as being 5-feet 9 inches and weighing 120 pounds with short black hair reached in t(ie case and removed the ring. The theft was not discovered until 15 minutes later, police said. The women were seen walking with two well dressed men, with slicked-back dark hair. The incident occurred Friday at 3:45 p.m.

The ring was a seven-diamond cluster, set in white gold of 1.4 carats, police. $649 bicycle reported stolen A thief stob a bicycle valued at $649 from a van owned by Jeremy K. Boyer of the 1400 block of Haven Road, which he had' parked in the lot behind the YMCA Thursday, city police said. Police said the professional 12-speed bike was stolen between 7:15 p.m. and 8:15 p.m.

Also taken was a tool box, tools, and spare tires valued at more than $100. Walker mugged in alley A city man was mugged as he walked north on Ihe 300 block of Jonathan Street Friday at 3:15 a.m., city police said. Police said Hobert E. Orndorff of the 200 block of Jonathan Street, was grabbed from behind, dragged into an alley, and robbed of his wallet. The loss was valued at $5, police said.

Jewelry, coins taken from home A burglar made off with nearly $1,200 worth of jewelry, watches and centennial coins from a home at the 900 blocX of Oak' Hill Avenue, Friday, city police said. Police said the owned by Ruth Elizabeth Schreck, wm broken into between 4:30 p.m. and 10:25 p.m. The burglar entered the house through a rear window, after he had broken the latch to the rear enclosed porch, police said. AH of fte bedroom dressers had been rifled, including one tenant, police said.

$1,200 motorcycle stolen A thief a motorcycle valued at $1,200 from Jeffrey Cramptoft of Brightwoad Drive. Nelson told police he hMl Ihe wfeicie the Red HOTK Steak House, at MM Dwi MigJwwy, ety peiktt Mid. MM to MW UMk fcttfte wm Holes between 11 :30 f.m. Md tM. Monday, October 1975 Homeowners polled County residents split on annexation U.S.

Army photo Taking command Brig. Gen. Kenneth R. Symmes, left, Maj. Gen.

Jack A. Albright, commander of (he assumes command of the 7lh Signal Command U.S. Army Communications Command Gen at ceremonies recently at Ft. Ritchie. The com- Symmes succeeds Brig.

Gen. Albert Redman mand colors were passed to Gen. Symmes by who served for nearly 3 years at Ft. Ritchie. Maryland Metals, Could expand she citizens argue issue City leads SCWCF 4 By ARNOLD S.

PLATOU Washington County residents whose homes may be sewered by Hagcrslown lines within the next decade are split sharply on (he question of annexation, according lo a random survey by The Morning Herald. Ten of (he 20 homeowners interviewed by telephone Sunday night said Ihey would favor annexation by the city. Eight others were in opposition and two were undecided. Those reacting favorably said the benefits of public sewer service outweighs the disadvantages of annexation. Opponents argued that taxes are already loo high for Ihem lo pay both city and county levies as a city resident.

The poll was conducted in a three-block area of Jefferson Heights off of Maryland 64. Construction of public sewer lines to that area is presently planned lo begin within six years. Under a city policy, strongly reaffirmed recently by the Mayor and Council, these county residents and others must agree lo annexation, before they will be allowed lo hook onto the city sewer lines. The Jefferson Heights area and other county residential sections would be required to use Ihose lines. Residents would be given Ihc option of either hooking on immediately or hooking on when their septic tanks fail.

"If my only way to gel (public) sewers is to be annexed by (he city," said James T. Young Jr. of 1825 Harwood "(hen I would be for it." Two of his neighbors, however, said Ihey doubt annexation and Hie city services lhal accompanied it would be worth Ihc cxlra taxes they would have to pay. "No, 1 wouldn't be for it," said Robert Socks of 1829 Harwood Ave. "I'd have two taxes lo pay.

Taxes are high righl now It's just rot worth it." Roberl D. Bender of 1831 Harwood Ave. agreed. "The Ihing lhat gets mo," he explained, "is there's been quite a bit of trouble with other sower systems. 1 understand there's been quile a mixup in the sewer system in Halfway (served by the county sanitary system).

"The lines charge is said to be quite high. And as far as services, I've already gol the state police and sheriff's department so I wouldn't get much better from city police." But to Jesse N. Green, who owns two properties along Sheridan Avenue, both the sewer lines and annexation would be welcome. Edward J. Rider, one of his neighbors, also favors (he idea.

"I certainly would be interested in thosewer lines," saidliider. "If Ihey do bring it out a I understand they might someday," he said, "I'd rather hook on now Iban wait until my septic lank backs up into Ihe cellar. "I'm definitely going to get hooked up," he added, "even If it costs me city taxes." Mrs. Paul K. Nigh, a resident at 1765 Sheridan Ave.

for 23 years, thinks the city has her "over a barrel" on the sewer-annexatton queslion. But, she said, "1 guess we'd have to go along. There's not much you can do about it But Mrs. Rella Koncer hopes something will be done to change the annexation requirements "I wouldn't mind having Ihe she said, "but 1 don't want lo be annexed. Taxes are plenty high now.

I don'l think it should be that a person is made to annex. The individual doesn't seem lo have any rights anymore." Donald L. DeLaulcr of 1822 Sheridan Ave. would also oppose a move lo annex his property. "The taxes are loo high already and there's just not enough benefits Ihc city could offer," he explained.

"Besides, I've got no problems with my septic lank." "My septic lank works great," said John E. Snydcr of 1823 Sheridan Ave. "And the taxes are high enough." But, he conceded, "what could you say when (he septic eventually tails? You'd have lo hook up." D.ivid L. Orndorff of 1829 Sheridan however, Ihinks Ihc majority of his neighbors are going to be in favor of a sewer-annexalion deal. Orndorff said he figures the extra taxes lo be pail would be worth the extra city services.

"Scplic tanks are not the best syslem anyway," he said. "Anything you get nowadays, you have pay for." But Orndorlf doubts thai either lie or any of Ills neighbors will ever be offered Ihe chance to hook up. "1 can'l even believe that a project between Ihe City of Hagerstown and Washington County could ever jive. "None have ever worked. And it's the citizens who always suffer.

It'll never materialize," lie predicted. "I just don't believe it will ever happen." By ZITVEB a a a Metals, and for 10 persons i i near the company's Security yard argued Friday in Circuit Court over whether the site is a junkyard, a recycling center or both. Maryland Metals is appealing a decision last year by the Washington County Board o( Zoning Appeals lo deny its request for an expansion of ils use of (he Security yard. The yard now contains an automobile shear, which company officials contend is inefficient and outmoded. The shear is used to crush and slice junked cars for shipment to steel mills for re-smelting.

The company wants to replace Ihe shear with a shredder, which it says could handle more care more efficiently. Residents of the surrounding area, however, arc opposing the plan. They say Ihe shear causes too much noise, dirl and traffic, and believe a slircdder would be evon worse. The zoning appeals Board hist year decided lhat the Maryland Metals operation is a junkyard and Ihereforc not subjecl lo any expansion of its current nonconforming use. The facilily is in an area zoned residential suburban.

At Ihe courl hearing Friday before Judge Irvine Rutledge, a a Melals a Williams P. Young Jr. said (hat under the county zoning ordinance, the site is not a a but a "recycling center." John I a representing the neighbors, replied, "1 don't see any reason why an operation can't be a a and a i center." He -said the facilily had sold items to the public. Continued from pag standing is that the mayor is going to enforce it lo the letter." That has been Mayor Varner L. Paddack's slated intention.

But the mayor has also said he believes the policy is "legally unenforceable." He has said that when an area is endangered by the health hazards of failing septic tanks, a municipality cannot hang annexation over a resident's head before granting sewerage service. Three city sources said they believe the mayor's twoadcd sland is a ploy lo force Ihe council to a new decision either clarifying the policy or completely changing It. They said the mayor believes the city would lose a court challenge of the policy. As it stands now, however, Ihe city will "without a doubt" gain new territory along its easlern and southern boundaries to Funkstown, says Alan R. Musselman, a county planner.

And, he says, within six years, it will be able to grab up all of Ihe easlern properly to and including Sycamore Heights near Chewsville. But the outlines of a "political hassle" are visible over control of Fountain Head and older areas north of (he city, accor- trol of Fountain Head and other areas north of Ihe city, according to Harold Nunamaker, administrative engineer of Ihe "We were planning to build the lines in Fountain Head and purchase the capacity from the city to sewer that area," he says. "But it the city plans lo annex that area as soon as the sewer lines are laid, there's no way in hell we're going to build Ihe lines. "We're not going to build lines in an area that's going to benefit the cily," Nunamaker says. C'ily officials say they do not know whether annexation will be demanded in Fountain Head.

But Ihey do voice concern that Ihe county and the city must work together to hurdle the potential health problem caused by failing septic tanks there. The areawide health problem is the trump card in the city's deck. James Rooney, county Health Department sanitarian, says he can order residents to hook onto public lines "the moment after" their septic tanks fail. But he says residents can resist buying the public service and agreeing to annexation in some areas for as long as their septic tanks continue to function. And Rooney says the definition of a failing tank is Ihe subject of much difference of opinion, too.

To the health department, he says, a failing tank is one "where there is absolutely no chance of repair, including the installation of a new lank." So Ihe question of annexation in exchange for sewerage.ser- vice may not be resolved in some areas for two or three decades, Rooney says. But eventually, he says, most residents will have to hook on and, if Ihe city policy prevails, be annexed..