The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-11-24
Report on Hotels.
H. A. MOSES,

In compliance with the action Of
your honorable body, on Oct. goth,
appointing Messrs. Neill O'Donnell,
j. w. McKeiver and Thomas Wilson
as committee to look into the ques-
tion Of the present hotel accommoda-
tions in the city Of Sumter and also
as to the possibility of organizing a
company to construct modern COM
mercial hotel in the city, your COM
mittee begs to report that they have
made considerable inquiry as to the
cause of so much complaint regard
ing the poor hotel accommodations in
Sumter and has been informed by
merchants of the city, travelling men
and citizens generally that the hotel
accommodations in Sumter are so
poor that as many travelling men as
can possibly do so avoid stopping ov-
er In Sumter and, in many cases, they
leave the city before their work is
completed and go to Florence or some
other near by town, spend the night
and return to Sumter to finish their
work the next day.
Your honorable body is aware Of
the fact that both principal hotels Of
the city are under the management of
the same man, Mr.. Jackson.
Your committee has interviewed
Mr.. Jackson and is informed by him
that 1t is impossible for him to give
his patrons satisfactory service, and
accommodations, as the furnishings
in both hotels are in such delapidated
condition. He states that the blar-
kets and comforts on the beds are old
and unclean and that he is unable to
get them washed or to make the
necessary requirements.
An examination of both the hotels
by your committee shows that the
buildings are in bad shape; there are
leaks In the roofs which have caused
the plastering to be dislodged, the pa
pering In some Of the rooms to be-
come stained and, in some cases, torn
off. and the buildings in such condi-
tion generally that 1t is impossible to
keep them clean and comfortable.
The bed linen generally was clean
and In fair condition but many Of the
beds are without blankets the only
covering being the spread and old
comforts which are unclean and un-
At for use.
Your committee most respectfully |
suggests that an effort be made to
organize a company to secure a loca-
Ion and construct a modern hotel of |
not less than 100 rooms with a cap
talization Of 100000; say $4,000 |
n capital stock and 100000 bonded |
Indebtedness, and that your honora-
Die body appoint a committee to So
lett subscriptions for this purpose.
In the mean time your committee |
would recommend that the owners Of |
AA~ AAOeSi ouihtCi dilu the t1OCeI |
Jackson be appealed to put their no.
els in better condition. In case the
necessary amount Of money to cor.-
'truct g. modern hotel is raised it will |
require about one year to complete
he work and in the meanwhile the |
'ity will suffer on account of the poor |
lotel accommodations which it now
has, while if the present hotels were
renovated, painted, refurnished and |
managed they would pro-
vide ample and reasonable accom-
notation for some time to come. |
There Is no complaint of lack Of space |
IN the hotels to accommodate the |
present travel, but seems to be based !
on the bad condition of the buildings
etc.
Your committee would further
recommend that the present hotels
be provided with fire escapes. The
buildings being wooden structures
are as at present constructed, dang
erous in case Of fire.
Resolutions of Appreciation to the