The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1907-12-17
SIMPSON TRANSFERRED
TO ASHEVuLE DIVISION.
Capt. Henry A. Williams Division
has Been Enlarged-
Shake-up in this District.
Columbia State, 18th.

oIolN3 A3oA'
The rumors Of changes affecting
the superintendent of the Columbia
and Sparta1burg divisions Of the
Southern railway, were yesterday
confirmed by an order from Mr.'.W.
N. Foreacre, the general superintend-
ent of the Southern, instructing
Supt. R. E. Simpson Of the Spartan
burg disivision to report for duty at
Asbeville to take charge Of that
division, and Supt. Henry A. Will
hams Of the Columbia division was
instructed to take charge of the
Spartanburg division, consolidating
tnat with the Columbia division.
This means a promotion for each
of these officials, which will be very
gratifying news to their many
friends in Columbia and throughout
the state, although Supt. Simpsons
removal from Columbia will be
matter Of general regret.
It is rumored that other changes
Will be announced today ,or tomor-
row, one of the rumors being that
MIR. Geo. W. Bishop, trainmastar
Of the Spartanburg division, will be
assigned to other duties, and an
other is to the effect that Mr.. ". W:
Barber, general yardmaster Of tne
Southern at Columbia will accom-
pany Mr.. Simpson to Ashevllle and
will be promoted to trainmaster OF
:, that division. Mr.. Bishop was spe-
cial law agent for years of the Co.
lumbia division before the formation
Of the Spartanburg division.
. Mr.. W. N. Foreacre, general sup
srintendent Of the eastern division Of
the Southern, is expected to arrive
l. in the eiitysthis morning to consult
vita Supt. Williams about the 9th
.er changes which this new order
makes necessary.
-. Trouble in Asteville.
The changes announced in the or
der issued yesterday are caused by
the recent dismissal of the head Of
fieials Of the Asheville division.
Supt. Ramseur, Roadmaster Ramsey
and Traismaster Fortune Of the.
Ashevilie division were forced to re-
sign. Their designations were fol-
lowed by the resignation Of the chief
dispatcher and other minor officials.
The action Of the Southern in fore
ing these men out aroused strong
protest from many Of the business
men Of Ashevilte and a petition,
numerously signed, has been for
warded to President Finley, asking
that these parties be given a hearing
on the charges which were preferrsd
against them. Tne wording of the
following petition indicates that
those charges were Of serious char
acter:
3"Mr. W. W. Finley, President
Southern Railway Company, Wash
ingto1, D. c.
t"Dear> Sir: You are doubtless
aware of the recent action Of the
Southern railway resulting in the
dismissal Of Supt. Ramseur, Road
master Ramsey and Trainmaster
Fortune of the Asneville division.
ssIs is generally understood by the
Asheville public that there has been
40 hearing given these gentlemen,
and no opportunity Of making pro-
per defense. We believe that the
charges we have heard in connection
with this matter are untrue; and
that, Judging by the character Of
these gentlemen, an injustice has been
done through lack Of full ilforma-
tion. Relying on your sense Of JUS
tice and fairness, We request you to
make personal investigation at
once, so that there will be no posi-
bility that any injustice be done
these gentlemen.''
The following telegram from Gen
eral Manager Ackert, in reply to a
telegram from Mayor Campbell of
Asheville, indicates that the South
ern will stand pat in its action:
Birmingham, Ala, Dec. II.
John A. Campbell, Mayor, Asheville,
N. C.
I nave telegram addressed to Mr.
Finley in regard to petitions being
sent in from Asheville relative to
change in division officials at that
! point. It is not my desire to do any