Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1909-04-29
THEY WILL MOVE.
Southern Powers Company Lo-
Gates In Columbia
LEAVES CHARLOTTE
Because of What it COnstr,cs to BE
Hostile Legislation on the Part of
the City Government-Will Mean
Much for This Section of South
Carolina.

Much for This Section of South
For some time past there have
been rumors afloat that there was a
possibility amounting to strong
probability that the general Offices of
the Southern Power Company would
be lost to Charlotte. and the indica-
tions were that Columbia would Sc
cure them. When it was first talked
about the people of Charlotte de-
rided the idea that the institution
would seek new home for its head
quarters. The newspapers had car
toons making sport of Columbia.
The Columbia State says a day
or two ago prominent business man
of Columbia was in Charlotte, and
IN conversation with Mr.. w. IL. Twit-
ty, cashier of the Charlotte National
Bank, was told that it was an open
secret that 1t had been definitely de-
termined to transfer the offices to
Columbia.
Since then 1t seems information
has been given out from the man
agement itself that the step had been
decided upon. and that within the
next eight or ten months conditions
would so shape themselves as to ad-
nit OF making the permanent remov-
al to Columbia.
There are two principal reasons
given for the contemplated action of
this great corporation. The first is
stated to be that the new charter OF
the city of Charlotte empowers the
board of public works TO regulate
public service corporations, with es-
pecial reference to rates to consum-
ers. This action, it is claimed, has
the effect to interfere with the sale
of bonds, and the company felt that
is rights and privileges have been so
impaired as to make it expedient for
them TO relieve themselves of their
public utilities franchise.
The second reason assigned is
that the power at Lang's shoals on
the Catawba river about 28 miles
from Columbia is the next property
to be developed, and that therefore.
Columbia is the logical place for the
OF its Offices, being so
much nearer the point of opera
tions.
This company, which Is rated at
$11,000.000, has acquired all the
riparian rights along the Wateree
and Catawba to within Is or IS
miles OF Camden, and less than 80
miles cross-country from Columbia.
and their plants are of enormous
magnitude.
On the line of water power de-
indicated. the Wateree and
Catawba. there are now six valu-
able properties that are owned by
this company. On the Wateree canal
just above Camden there is fall of
4,376 square miles. giving 10000
horsepower when developed.
At Rocky cre ck. Great falls and
Fishing creek are other powers be-
longing to this corporation that have
total fall of 173 feet. OF these the
development of Great falls has re-
Gently been completed and that of
the others will follow as the de
mand for power warrants.
The amount of horsepower de-
veloped at Great falls is $4,000, with
4 probable total when developed of
81. 900 horsepower. Rock creek and
Fishing creek will afford 900 and
10000 horsepower respectively.
At Landsford. near Lancaster. an
other power belonging to this com
pany there is a fall of 40 feet. drain
ing an area of 3.425 square miles
and affording energy OF 1900 horse
power. as yet undeveloped.
At Rock Hill, on the Catawba. the
company has a 10000 horsepowe'
plant in operation, supplying power
10 Rock Hill, Fort Mill, Pineviut
Charlotte.
At Niney-Nine Island, on tn,
Broad river, is a plant having a 3 ).
foot fall. the full development o
which is now under way This pow
er will form one of several power!
belonging to this company which Wi
be electrically connected by a sys
tenn of transmission lines furnish
ing power TO all the large towns il
the northern central part of thi
State and TO a number of towns il
North Carolina.
The coming of the Southern Pow
er Company to Columbia will meal
there will soon be located there ais,
offices of the large electrical machin
cry and manufacturing concerns
which will augment the business o
the city to a considerable extent.
The Office force of the compan
will be valuable acquisition to tn
city and to them fair Columbia ex
tends the glad hand ofNa cordial wel
come. The acquisition will not onl
be in the fact that all OF the fore
are high salaried people, but tina
| Columbia society will have a we
come addition to It's ranks.
Gets Four Years.
Samuel T. Stevenson, convicted {