The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-02-20
WORKING FOR SUMTER.
Some of the Matters Discussed at the
Mass Meeting.

| House on Tuesday night was attended
by g large number Of representative
business men and while no defnise ac-
ton was taken toward the establish
ment Of any particular nanufactur-
ing enterprise, still the meeting was
not altogether unproductive Of results
that will eventually make for the ben
eft Of Sumter. AS was stated in the
call the meeting was primarily for the
purpose of formulating plans for the
promotion Of new manufacturing IN
dustries in this city and to encourage
and aid in the extension and develop
ment Of those that are now in exist
ence. The general discussion that
was INDUCED in took a wide range
and the conditions that exist here
were pretty thoroughly canvassed.
There was one. proposition that
was brought up in definite form, viz:
the removal of manufacturing es-
tablishment from another place. The
condition upon which the concern
will come to Sumter is that this city
furnish the capital needed to enlarge
the factory and equip it to increase
the output to supply the demand that
has been created by the present own
ers of the factory. On the whole, the
sentiment of the meeting seemed to
be decidedly in favor Of complying
with the condition named and to
do everything possible to bring this
factory to Sumter.
AS preliminary to the acceptance
of the proposition it was decided to
appoint two committees to make a
thorough investigation of the fnan-
cial and physical condition Of the
factory. Messrs. r. Manning, C. G..
Rowland, Neill O'Donnell and G. A.
Lennon were appointed on the COM
mittee to make the investigation Of
the financial affairs of the concern,
and Messrs. Perry Moses, Jr, J. W
McKiever, E. L.. Witherspoon and W.
B. Burnes were named as the COM
mittee to inspect the machinery and
make q report as to the condition
and value Of the plant as it now
stands. These committees will per-
form the duties assigned and report
at the earliest date practicable.
Another matter that was brought
up and generally discussed was that
of railroad service, accommodations
and freight rates. This is a matter
Of equal or greater importance than
the establishment of new manufactur-
ing enterprises, for unless good rail-
way service and fair freight rates can
be guaranteed the success Of manu-
factories is an impossibility.
The. following resolution, offered
by Mr.. A. W. Crosswell and seconded
by Mr.. r. D. Lee, was adopted and
Secretary Reardon was directed to
forward copies to Congressman Le-
yer with the request that he exert his
influence and secure the cooperation
of the senator's and representatives
from this State to have the Railroad
Rate Law amended as suggested:
Whereas, the Interstate Commerce
Commission Of the United States, and
a majority Of the leading commercial
organizations Of this country are en-
deavoring to have the Congress of
these United States Of America, to
enact a law that will give increased
and flexible power to the said Inter
State Commission, whereby the Com
mission can exercise fair and i'm
partial superviion, and assist in re-
lieving a situation which is in many
respects the most serious one which
has confronted the bushes interests
of this country for many years by the
failure Of the transportation lines to
promptly and efficiently handle the
freight business of this country,
And whereas the railroads Of this
country are allowed by law to make
demurrage charges for all freight de-
layed in delivery after certain
lengths of time, and to charge storage,
ETC., but are not held accountable for
the delays on the part Of the rail-
roads,
And whereas, this seems to be un-
just and unfair to the shippers and re-
ceivers of freight,
Therefore, be it Resolved, That the
business men of Sumter, South Caro-
lima, in meeting assembled, request
the officers Of the Sumter Chamber Of
Commerce to Immediately request our
Senator's and members Of the House
of Representatives, in the National
ConpreSS at WASHINGTON to assist in