The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1906-04-17

Commissioner Caughman Explains
Why the Board Hesitates-Does
Columbia Really Want Morn
ing Train?

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
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
c.. and G. line of the Southern, look
inc 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.
R. ". Hunt were present, the railroad
people agreed to recommend the
change, and members Of the commits
sion were told in Washington recent
ly 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, we
don't like to- be rash about this mat
ter" said Commissioner Caughman
today. "We 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 Greenville is man
ifesting little interest, and Green
wood and Abbeville are openly op-
posing. or appear to be. From Chap
pells down this way the sentiment
unanimous. However, when Mr..
Wharton comes in tomorrow to make
up a majority of the board, a letter
will be sent to Messrs. Williams,
Hunt and Morgan asking them why
the change has not been made"
Still Another Chance Neglected.
Postmaster Ensor says that he has
full authority now to send mail up the
C.. n. & L. road as far as Laurens on
that company's train, leaving here at
5 p. m, and that the delay is caused
by the 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 car, but is part
ly due to the fact that he has not yet
received the final order from the gov
ernment. 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
mittee to look into the needs Of the
city along this line. But nothing !
further has been heard from this
move.
Action Now Important.
It is rich trading section Colum-
oia is neglecting in that direction at
a time it has an opportunity Of seiz-
ng an advantage. And apathy now
may also spoil the opportunity Co.
Iumbia has in another direction. A
conference is to be held at Marion
next Thursday regarding the PROPOSE
ton to putting on a morning train
into Columbia from the Pee Dee Sec
ton. Columbia is growing rapidly
and the need for mail facilities on the
afternoon train leaving here at $40 |
for Charlotte and on the p. N. train
for Augusta, is becoming daily more
pressing.
TO Appoint Committee Tomorrow.
President Clark said today that he
had not yet appointed a committee to
look into mail facilities, but would do
so tomorrow. He is waiting for sug-
gestions regarding the personnel of
the committee from Secretary Clark,