The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1906-04-17
1s coLus1B1A INDIFFERENT
Commissioners Oaughman Explains
Why the Board Hesitates Does !.
Columbia Really Want Morn
ing Train7 .7..s

y
Friday that the change Of schedule
was held up for the present at least.
OF course the apathy and indiffer-
ence Of businessmen of Columbia is a
little queer. We shall yet get the
change even if it is held up Temporal
rily:
That the proposed change Of sched-
ule has not been put into effect on the
G. and G. line Of the Southern, look
ing to an afternoon train out of CO.
lumbia to the up-country so as to
give people living along the line op-
portunity to come to Columbia in the
morning and get back the same day,
is due in measure to apathy on the
part Of Columbia. The chamber Of
commerce has so far taken no action,
which causes the commission to won.
der whether Columbia is so anxious
for the change.
At the recent conference before the
commission, at which Superintendent
Williams, Assist. Gen. Pass. Agent
Brooks Morgan and Div. Pass. Agt.
X. w. Hunt were present, the railroad
people agreed to recommend the
change, and members of the commits
sion were told in Washington recent
~ by Passenger Traffic Manager
Hardwick that he "would figure on
the change if the commission was
sure it desired it," Mr.. Hardwick
was told that the commission was in
no way hesitant.
"But, to be perfectly frank, ne
don 7 like to be rash about this mat
. tcr.' said Commissioner Caughman
today. "NVe feel a bit dubious about
ordering the change so long as there
is doubt about it being desired. CO.
lumbia. the principal town interested,
has not asked for the change. We
have heard nothing from the chamber
of commerce. And Grccnvilc is man.
ifcsting little interest, and Green
wood and Abbcvillc are openly op-
posing. or appear to be. From Chap
pclls down this way the sentiment
unanimous. However, when Mr..
Wharton comes in tomorrow to make
up a majority Of the board, letter
will be sent to Mcssrs. Williams,
Hunt and Morgan asking them why
the change has not been madc.'
Still Another Chance Neglected.
Postmaster Ensor says that he has
full authority now to send mail up the
G. N. & l.. road as far as Laurens on
that company's train, leaving here at
S p. m, and that the delay is caused
by tho railroad people having no mail
car to handle the business.
President Childs, Of the road, said
today that the delay is not altogether
due to the lack Of Il car, but is part
ly due to the fact that he has not yet
received the final order from the gov
crnment. He says he is having car
fitted up for this service, but that
scarcity of material is responsible for
the fact that it has not been gotten
ready.
At the recent directors meeting Of
the chamber of commerce the presi-
dent was authorized to appoint com,
mittec to look into the needs Of the |
city along this line. But nothing
further has been heard from this
move.
Action Now Important
II is a rich trading section Colum-
bia is neglecting in that direction at
a time it has an opportunity Of soiz-
ny an advantage. And apathy now
may also spoil the opportunity Co.
lumbia has in another direction. A
conference is to be held at Marion
next Thursday regarding the proposi-
tion to putting on morning train
into Columbia from tho Pee Dec Sec
ton. Columbia is growing rapidly
and the need for mail facilities on the
afternoon train leaving here at $40
for Charlotte and on tho s p. m. train
for Augusta is becoming daily more
pressing.
To Appoint Committee Tomorrow.
President Clark said today that he
had not yet appointed q committee to
look into mail facilities, but would do
so tomorrow. He is waiting for sug-
gestions regarding the personnel Of
tho committee from Secretary Clark,
who has beon very busy for the past
two days with the Shrinors.