The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-03-14
h SUMTER WEDNESDAY. MAR II IA, 1906
RAILROADS sWAstPED.
Railroad Commission Issues State
ment-Roads Caught Napping-Did
Not Expect Such Big Volume Of
Traffic.

Columbia, March 3.-The railroad
commission, feeling that it should give
some explanation of what it is doing
to relieve the. congested condition OF
railroad traffic, today issued a formal
statement for publication.
"On account Of the great number OF
complaints that have been filed in this
Office within the past three months, as
to unsatisfactory passenger service
both as to connection at junction
points as we'll as universal delays on
all passenger trains, to the great in
convenience and expense to the trav-
seling public, and further the COM
plant of want Of cars for all classes
of freight movement having been un-
precedented, creating congestion
that has never before been equaled in
the state, we desire to say that upon
receipt Of the first of these complaints
we took the matter up with the trans
portation departments OF the railroads
(both local and general oficers) with
view of remedying the evil.
1--WE found upon investigation, that
the entire freight business of all the
roads had increased beyond the most
sanguine expectations of the carriers,
the tonnage of the past season ex-
ceeding the preceding year by S17,-
377 tons. The movement Of this ex-
cessive heavy tonnage of lumber, fuel,
wood, coal and fertilizers over tracks
with light rails during the very wet
weather, put the road beds in such
conditions that it becomes impossible
For the roads to make proper passen-
ger schedules or to move freight
trains in anything like reasonable
time, so as TO keep out OF the way Of
passenger schedules.
."The serious mistake made by all
railroads was in not making more pre-
parations for the winters business by
re-laying the light track with heavy
rail- using more and better ballas.
during the past summer and early
fail, which we urged done when we
made our summer inspections. Posi-
bly, not anticipating such a heavy IN
crease in the winter business, the
railroads did not make the proper
preparation for handling the same, by
during the summer putting their en-
tire motive power in first class condi-
ton so far as it could be done through
their own shops Therefore, when
33-1-3 per cent. more fertilizers were
offered for shipment, instead OF any
diminution in the usual movement Of
heavy f-eights, like lumber, coal.
wood, live stock, etc, the same was
on a marked Increase. The railroads
we're confronted with live business
proposition. instead Of prospective
business, and under the existing
weather conditions they seemed IN
able to prevent one of the worst rail-
road congestions that our state has
ever passed through.
'As soon as this situation became
apparent we urged that extra force be
placed on the road bed OF the
Southern railway, as it has so much
track in the city section of our state
and therefore subject so quickly to
the charges of 1ai2te7. &c i1s was
-dode Immediately and large force
was placed on the road.
'On personal inspection we found
the bridges and trestles in good con-
dition, but continued rains had SO eX-
posed the ties that otherwise would
have held the track, and became in
some places really dangerous. New
timber is now being placed in the
track and we are assured by the gen
eral superintendent that heavier rails
will at once replace the present light
track
Eve have had up with the passen-
ger department the matter of some
| improvements. not. only in the passen-
ger service, but as to prompt connec-
tions and schedules more suitable to
! the convenience and accommodation
Of the public. We have several pc
titions for the changes Of schedules Of
some trains coming in and going out
OF the city OF Columbia, and are Civ
| ing these matters our earnest atten-
ton and have called a conference
with the passenger management and
! the petitioners for the 18th instant,
and shall endeavor to so arrange
these schedules to accommodate the
greatest number.
"In conclusion we desire to say, in
| justice to ourselves, that we deemed
some expression necessary as other
| citizens have annaarad in tho Duh1ic