The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-11-06


rived late, was informed Of the prop
osition submitted by Mayor Rlctt
superintendent Anderson replied that
the matter was in the hands of the
railroad commission. Should the
commission order the train from
Lanes. why the Coast Line was per-
fectly willing to comply. but his own
opinion was that the greatest number
OF people would De served by the
train from Sumter Mr.. Anderson
then explained how the service of No.
80 was being improved.
The whole tenor of Mr.. Andersop's 8
talk was against the Lane's-Bennetts-
Vile train snd in favor Of the Sumter
end. He was not prepared to answer
Mr.. Rhett's proposition definitely.
Hon. T.. G. Mcleod. of Bishopville,
made an energetic protest against
any change of schedule thae would
take away from that town the only
passenger train they now have and
the only satisfactory service they
have ever had. Bishopville, he said,
was not consulted or notified Of the
proposed change. but the schedule to
be put into operation on Nov. I'D un-
der the order OF the cOmMission,
would affect that town most jinjuri-
ously. depriving the people of a sat-
isfactory service and giving them the
unsatisfactory service they had en-
dured for years until a short time
ago.. Bishopville would be glad to
see Charleston and Darlington both
obtain the trains they asked Tor. but
not at the expense Of Bishopville,
and he protested against taking away
Bishopville's train.
Mr.. =. M. Wells. president Of Post
H., T. p. A.. Of Darlington. stated
that he had taken up the matter of
having the train operated from Sum-
ter instead Of Lanes, at the sugges-
ton Of the Atlantic Coast Line off,
cials. He had believed the train 80
operated would give Charleston all
1t asked and at the same time afford
much needed service to the people be-
tween Sumter and Benne<tsviile. He
had no idea that the service on the
Bishopville road would be interferred
with and he would protest as strongly
as anyone against depriving Bishop
Vile Of the train 1t now has.
Mayor Gilbert. of Florence, fled a
written protest from the chamber of
commerce or Florence against the
operation Of the train between
Sumter and Bennettsville instead of
from Lanes.
Mr.. r. I. Manning. speaking for the
Sumter chamber Of commerce., Said
that Sumter occupied a position Of
passive acquiescence in this cDntan-
ton. that this city Is reasonably We'll
satisfied with the present service and
desires above all things that no
change detrimental to Sumter be
made. At the same any. additional
service will be welcomed. In the
matter Of the Bishopville train. Sum-
ter was vitality interested and the bus
| mess men Of Sumter join Rishopyille
| in protesting against any interference
| with the present service. The solu-
ton Of the whole matter seemed to
be the adoption Of the suggestion
made by Mr.. Rhett In reference to
| the change in the Wadesboro train
This seemed to work no hardship to
the railroad and would give all Sec
tions interested better service than
they had ever enjoyed.
Mayor Bivens OF McColl and repre-.
sentatives of Lamar presented their
side of the matter, both asking for
improved service. Lamar asking that
the train be operated as ordered. by
| the commission, and McColl asking
that the train be run to McColl in.
stead of Gibson. N. G.
During the course Of the discussion
remarks were made by DR.. Olin Saw.
yer, Of Georgetown, Mr.. Evans OF
| Cheraw, and others. Cheraw was not
! interested in the controversy over the
Sumter -Bennettsville train, but asked
for a double daily passenger service
| In place Of the single train each way
which the town Of Cheraw had been
forced to put up with for more than
fifty years.
1t was In the last few minutes of
the long drawn out hearing that the
most interesting incident occurred.
Mr.. Mcleod was renewing his pro-
test against cutting out Bishopyill.'s
passenger train and was trying to find
| out definitely from the commission
C,noripfopdnp< Ar1o~,o~