The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-10-11
Monthly Meeting of the Business
League.

The Business League met in the rooms Of
the Sumter Club at O'Clock last Wednesday
night with twenty or more members present.
The most important matter brought up for
discussion was the heavy loss OF weight IL
cotton bought here and shipped 10 the mills
and ports. The cotton buyers apd the firms
they represent consider the loss excessive and
unusual ana several firms have already With
drawn their buyers from The market. Other
firms have reduced the lin its Of their buyers,
as they cannot afford to cay the highest price
for cotton when there is such high percent.
age of loss in weight.
Mr.. F. C. Hynan, the resident buyer for
Alex. S2runt l. Son, was present by invita-
ton and gave his experience. He had the
secretary read letter and kilograms from bis
house 10 reference 10 the loss in weight on
several lote of cotton. % one lot of ], 100
bales the loss 10 weight WAS 1912 pouods
and on another lot of 1T bales the loss was
considerably above two thousand pounds Mr.
Lyman stated tha; the loe5 was excessive and
that his house could not stand it. In bis
opinion The loss was due 10 the scales used
by tne public weigbers. Platform scales are
used and, Mr.. Lyman says, it has been proved
ytests that any platform scales will be
thrown out of balance by moving 1t from
one place TO another or even shftlog its posi-.
ton. Toe scales may be balanced with the
standard test weights and after throwing
bale of cotton on the scales they will be
found out of balance. Another cause for the
loss of weight is the failure OF the public
welghers 10 make sufficient deduction on
rain.soaked bales
Mr G.. F. Strbbs made statements n refer
eoce to the loss of weight on cotton bought
by him. His !oss averaged y TO pounds
per bale.
The matter was discussed generally, and
resolution was finally adopted providing for
the appointment of committee of three to
make thorough investigation Immediately.
The committee was empowered TO make sug-
gestions as to the means TO be used to remedy
the trouble. The committee will report TO
the Executive Committee, which committee
has power to act at once in the matter The
chair appointed the following committee:
Neill O'Dopnell. r. l. Manning aud Abe
Ryttenberg.
The matter Of excessive and discriGlna-
tive local freight rates was brought up by
Mr. Julian E Hardy. After discussion the
following committee was appointed 10 collect
statistics for she use of tne Executive Con-
mlttee when the matter is taken up with the
railroads 10 secure an abatement Of the rates:
Julian E. Hardy J. q. Levy and Altamonl
Moses.
President Moses was requested to ask the
Atlantic Coast Line officials to attach ~as
seoger coach to the freight train that sr. $
here from Florence about . O'Clock IF this
is done the people living bet" eea Florence
and Sumter can come 10 Suat ter and return
home on the G p. N passenger train. at
present they cannot come by rail, unless they
take the a. %. train or 55 p. 10 tram.
Rs will alec take up the schedule on the
Bishop7ille road again.
Mr.. r. L. Manning was appointed cou.
mittee of one 10 see the Southern Railway
ofi:ials in reference TO the erection of q pas
senger depot and train shed.
Mr., 81. Ohlander, the compile: Of "Pro-
gressye South Carolina" who had an ap-
pointment to appear before the League was
not present.
There was general discussion and free
interchange of ideas on matters of interest TO
the business community, but no action was
taken as the time was not considered ripe
Tor definite action.