Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1911-05-10
BUILDING BLUE RIDGE ROAD.
Delegation Encouraged - Another
Conference to BE Held.
(Anderson Mail. 8th.)

\EAHueISOH MallI SCn.)
The Anderson delegates are at
home from Washington, wherera con-
ference was held with President Fin
ley and Col. Andrews, OF the South
ern Railway, In reference to the pro-
posed completion of the Blue Ridge
road through the mountains to
Knoxville, Tenn. President Finley
told the delegation that the matter
would be brought to the attention OF
the directors Of the Southern, and
that another conference would be
arranged later on, to be held at
washington, when there could be a
more definite discussion of the mat
ter.
Gen. M. l.. Bonham, who is chair
man Of the committee named by the
Chamber OF Commerce to have charge
or the matter, said to-day that there
Is VERY reason to be encouraged over
the result Of the conference. It was
not expected that a promise would
be secured that work on the road
would begin at once, but that a new
interest would be worked up in the
matter on the part of the railroad
heads. This has been accomplished
and a second conference Is to be
arranged.
1T was a strong delegation that
met with the railroad officials. The
members came from points along the
line from Charleston, 8. c., to Frank
lin, N. c., and it was shown that the
whole section thai would be traversed
is deeply and earnestly interested In
the completion of the road-eyen to
the extent Of rledging money with
which to aid H. It's construction. The
plea for the finishing Of the road was
presented In a stronger n than
1t has ever been before, and a better
impression was made.
President Finley was much i'm
pressed when Gen. Bonham asked
that, in the event the Southern did
not see fit to finish the road, under
what terms and agreement would the
rights OF way, charter, franchise, ETC..
be turned over to the people inter
ested along the route, the road to be
built by them. Mr.. Finley said that
the matter had never before been
presented in sc business-like a man.
ner as that. and thai while there we're
Others to be consulted, he would
bring the question before the proper
authorities.
The conference was held at noon
Friday In h offices of President
Finley. and lasted for two hours. At
Washington the delegation was Joined
by Congressman Wyatt Aiken, Of Alb
bevillc, who went with the members
before the railroad officials.
From Anderson those who were
there we're: Messrs. NJ. l.. Bonham,
b. Il. Mauldin, Lee G.. Holleman, A..
NJ. Carpenter, J. r. Shelor, r.. e.
Lyon and w. r. Osborne.
Messrs. r. ~. Jaynes and e. l..
Herndon from Walhalla; G. w. Gig
nilliat and Drs. e. G. and VIM. r.
Doyle from Seneca; Dr. r.. b. Day
and s.. l.. Eskew, from Pendleton:
ID. A. Gcer from Bolton.
Abbeville was represented by T.. B..
Gary, f. r.. Harrison and Charles D..
Brown; Newberry by e. H.. Aull;
Columbia by r. j. Blalock; Char
lesion by r.. w. Durant, and Frank
I'm, N. c., by S. L.. Rogers and Mr..
Day.
While nothing of a very definite
nature was accomplished by the con-
ference, the matter was laid before
the southern officials in a more bust
ness-hke ann than ever before,
and an impression was made. The
officials have been convinced that the
people are determined in their eff
forts to get the road through.
The fact that a second conference
Is to be arranged is taken by the
members OF the committee as an en-
enlargement, and the fight for the
completion Of the road Is not ended.
but just begun.