The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-06-18
The Townsend and g. T. A. Contro
VerSY.


VerSy.
VALDosTA, GA, June 17.-Editor
Norni1,g NeICS: In view of the recent
charges preferred against me in the
now deceased) Savannah Branch, 8. T. A.,
viz: THAT furnished certain information
to railroad attorneys for use at the recent
railroad commission freight rate hearing ia
Atlanta, which information was not alone
inimical to the interest of Savannah's COM
merce, but tended to athe destruction of the
influence and usefulness of Savannah
branch" now ask that your
excellent paper Will do me
the justice to publish this communication,
containing, as it does, the original letter
received by me in December. 1890, from
Col. s. G. McLendon of Townsville, and
my reply to him, which are now published
for the first time. Inasmuch as your paper
contained the fullest accounts of the recent
proceedings against me, and as you have
large circulation among the lumber and
naval stores people, the enclosed matter
will prove of interest, as it will show what
sort of detrimental information" l gave
Col. McLendon.
1t is hardly necessary for me TO point out
that my letter, SOLAR from being prejudiced
to the lumber and naval stores industries,
was IN fact strong argument in their
favor In the matter at issue. kept no
copy of the letter when written, and had no
idea of what was wanted with the informa-
ton. only secured possession of the said
letter last Saturday night. or it would Ger
talnly have been published sooner.
did not give Col. McLendon any au-
thority to quote or use my name in any
manner whatsoever before the Georgia Rail-
road Commission, and 1 regret that he did
so. also regret to find that he made a
serious mistake in quoting me as stating
that the 10000 acres OF turpentine land
swept over by forest fires are destroyed
Tor milling purposes" / said no such thing,
as there is great deal of difference be-
tween 10000 acres of turpentine boxes an
nually ruinedn and (the same) 100, 900 acres
Of land destroyed for milling purposes"
c.. B. TOWNSEND.
Extract from s. G. McLendon's argument
before railroad commission in favor OF
higher rates on lumber and naval stores:
When say that turpentinng injuries the lum-
DOT and the land, have gone no farther than the
nrSt letter of the alphabet When | say that fire
follows the turpentine man, almost as the night
follows the the day, and that fire destroys and
puts stop to the reproductive capacity of our
forests, present fact which is appalling to
4 all who will stop to consider consequences.
Mr.. G. B. Townsend, who represents the
standard Oil Company, and who travels exten-
hiVeiy through the turpentfne regions, informs
i me that there are now in use for turpentine
purposes 1000 600 acres of land. The Georgia
legislature, which have Just put upon the wit
ness stand, say that S69 1927 acres of land have
been boxed for turpentine purposes, of course
including that now in use.
Mr.. G. B. Townsend states that, In his opinion,
~ least 10000 acres of land, per annum are de.
sToyed by fires that sweep over lands in actual
use; that is to say, that per cent. OF the land
N use by turpentine men, Notwithstanding their
Watchfuness and care, is destroyed for milling
purposes by fire every year. II this land CON
talns 5000 feet of lumber per acre then $1,000,
w feet Of lumber has been destroyed during
this year.
TOWNSVILLE, GA, Dec. 10. 1890.
Dear Townsend
You travel through the turpentine region
more than any man in Georgia and you are
close observer. How many acres of land do you
mink were, or rather have been, 1re-swept in
.he pine region during the current year? will
Oe greatly obliged if you will be kind enough TO
give me an estimate. How many acres of tur-
pentlned land have been swept over by fire this
yearG Yours truly, s. G. McLENDoN.
STANDARD OIL COMPANY OF KENTUCKY,
VALDosTA, GA, Dec. %, 1890.
Ooe y. q. McLend0n, ThomdsUiite, Ga:
DEAR CoLoNEL-Yours of 18th inst. duly TO
ndnd and contents are carefully noted. Your
inquiry is hard one TO answer, as information
usually withheld by turpentine operators
whenever they get any of their boxes burnt
am inclined to think, however, that the area
/ u y, boxed timber swept over by fire grows
snaller every year, owing to the increasing
precautions now taken by the owners or lessess.
r. Keep out the fire. The heavily increased