The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-12-24
FIeHI UI7H The SOUTHERN.
Commercial World of Charleston
in for a Finish Struggle.

Ehere IS very general interest felG In
the findings that the railroad Scommis-
sson Will announce upon the case Of
charleston against the Southern Rail
var as presented at the hearing at
Charleston on Friday last. 1t is felt,
that there can be only -oae conclusion,
that the complaint Of discrimination
has been proved and the interest is
chiefly as what form Of correction the
commission will recommend for the
troubles set forth.
There is misunderstanding IN the
minds ofasome people as to the form
IL which the complaint was laid be-
fore the railroad commission. 1t was
not ii any sense a suit for redress by
the merchants of Charleston, but was
merely a proof submitted by them OF
conditions which were OF common re-
port and which the commission de-
sired to have elaborated before 1T.
The whole matter arose from some
newspaper correspondence OF which
r. G.. Rhett and Mr.. J. +. May
bank stated facts concerning the prac-
5icaI driving ont Of business IN the ter
ritery Of the Southern OF the cotton
Grn of Inman & Co, as far as Its
business at Charleston was concerned.
The commission took account Of the
correspondence and desired Substantive
sion of the charges in formal way
and sas5he hearing at Charleston for
this purpose. The facts were brought
OFT a5 shat hearing and 1t was shown
shat the firm had been driven out
of the SoutherR's territory and alb
soIute xerifcation Of all the points
alleged was submitted. Nothing was
oGered concerning the treatment or
6his firm BY the Southern at the pre-
sent as that question was not IN
volFed IN the case called by the COM
mission.
Thes railroad made ne. effort con-
tTogert the statement Of Alr. Maybank
and in eject confessed chat the con-
ditioas set forth had prevailed. This
swas also practically agkao 8tedged by
the officials Of the1oad In conFersation
outside The hearing The broader
scope of the discussion taken On RI
IN which the general policy OF the.
ssouthern railway towards Charleston
Was considered does notg,ome within
tie Jurisdiction ofsthe State commits
sion and it is not expected that there
will be any rule on the points in
oIYed IN the presentation. To the
mind Of the people who heard the testi
n1ony and argument on this line, how
ever, very strong cass was made,
agains5 the Southern and isis be-
ieved that the railroad officials were
greatly concerned at the severe ar
raignment made of the Southern's
policy and viii be inclined to an al
deviation ofsthe conditions before more
drastic action is taken by the COM
unity.
me conferences held with the mem
5ers Of the freight bureau hoard and
with Mr.. Rhatt and Mr.. Maybank by
Powell, the traffic manager Of the
Southern on Friday night and Satur-
day took into account ths various
gEisVances Of wide nature thet the
community has against bhe Southern.
he whole subjsctsof freight rates was
discussed and an effort was made to
impress upon Mr. Powell the neces-
.sisy for q modification Of the South
arms policy towards this port. There
was no effort TO secure concessions on
any special lines of commerce and
no request for particular favors to
Charleston. It was merely but strong
" Insisted that Charleston was en-
titled TO consideration of equal favor
with other points and to enjoy the
full benefit of the natural advantages
of her commercial position, as a
matter of absolute right.
isstoo soon to say what wlNFbe the
result Of these conferences, but it is
hoped and expected that good will
result from them. It is, felt by all
concerned that Charleston has present
ed 4 convincing case of discriminating
policy on the, part of the Southern
against this community and the spirit
Of the whole commercial world of
Charleston is wrought up greatly on
the matter and everybody is eager to
press the fight to the last point.
There is "a good deal Of Indignation
felt and expressed at the attitude Of
the News and Courier in this whole
matter, which is considered as being
utterly hostile to Charleston S interests
and attempting throughout to justify
the Southern railway. It's expected
that the feeling in this matter will
take form in protest and denuncia-
lion of the paper by the leading mer-
chants of the Charleston Post.