The leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1895-1905, 1901-04-17
THE RAILROAD COMMISSION
VISITS BROOKHAVEN.

The Brookhaven Business League
having filed complaint with the Mis-
sissippi Railroad Commission against
the 1. c. Railroad on account of in
adequate depot accommodations at
this place, Messrs. McInnis, May and
kincannon, the members of the Com
mission, came down to Brookhaven
on Monday afternoon to make a per-
sonal inspection of the depot faciliti es
here and confer with members of the
League and other business men on the
subject. For some time past Mr.. J. w.
McGrath, chairman of the Transporta-
tion Committee of the Business League,
has been in corresondence with the
railroad authorities, seeking an en-
largement and improvement of the
Brookhaven depot accommodations,
freight and passenger, but with very
unsatisfactory results, and at last it
was decided to appeal to the Commits
sion for relief. Indeed, as the neces-
sity for larger freight depot, on &C.
count Of the increasing business here,
had become well-nigh imperative, and
something would have to be done, the
League did not regard it as an un-
reasonable thing to expect the railroad
to build substantial brick depot
large enough and so arranged as to be
able to conveniently accommodate all
its patrons, both in the matter of
freight and passenger traffic, and this
was the view presented to the Commits
sion.
On the other hand the railroad
claims that it recognizes the necessity
of greater freight accommodation here,
and is just now preparing to build an
extension to its freight depot, and to
also paint and freshen up it's passenger
and office building, which it claims is
as large and we'll arranged as those of
many other towns on its line quite as
large as this. 1t has been suggested,
however, that the Railroad cannot
build frame extension to it's freight
depot without running up against the
fire district ordinance of the city, and
if this point is pressed on the one side
by the Business League and the City
Council, and on the other hand the
Railroad Commission should insist
that the accommodations which are
confessedly needed should be provided,
the Railroad may be compelled to
build brick depot, as the Business
League and citizens here so much de-
sire.
The Commissioners were met at the
depot on their arrival by F. F. Becker,
chairman of the Business League, B. T.
Hobbs, secretary, j. w. McGrath, chair
man of the committee on transporta-
ton, and Messrs. W. H. Seavey, J. M.
Wood, r. T. Scherck, M. ID. McGIath,
Chas. E. Grafton and others, and
made personal inspection of the de-
pot buildings, offices, passenger rooms,
etc. The Commission gave the Busi-
ness Leagues representatives court
eous and patient hearing, but will re-
serve their decision until their regular
meeting the second Monday in May.
The frequent switching of long grav-
ell trains on the principal street cross
ings Of the city was also brought to
the attention of the Commission, but
it was suggested that relief in this di-
rection might be reached through the
medium of city ordinances.
After the conference, Commissioner
McInnis took the next train south to
meet an engagement in New Orleans,
while Messrs. May and Kincannon
were given drive out to the big plant
of the Pearl River Lumber Company,
and about the principal streets of the
city, winding up with President Scherck
and other gentlemen at the Cherokee
Club rooms, and expressed themselves
highly pleased with what they saw
in Brookhaven.
The hour spent by the distinguished
visitors at the Pearl River Lumber
Company's was one full Of admiration
and pleasant surprise at the magni-
tude and completeness Of that gigantic
enterprise. The entire party was
most pleasantly and courteously re-
ceived by President Moreton, General
Manager Batchelder and Secretary
MiaZza.