The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-10-25

Mr. Editor:
Any public spirited citizen who
can look upon the present situation in
Sumter and not hang his head. does
not deserve to be a citizen. The no
tel situation Il intolerable and a dis
grace to this city. Some few months
ago an attempt was made to raise the
money and build the hotel, but be-
cause few OF our citizens were not
exactly satisfied as to the location Sc
lected the plan fell through. Sumter
In not such a large city at present
that any particular location could
make any material difference so long
~ that location Is near the business
center. But that Is not the problem
now. Every man must face the situ-
alton for the fair name Of this city Is
at stake.
This morning the writer was cali
ed up by travelling man and In
!, formed that twenty-five travelling
men were unable to secure accommo-
dation last night. This travelling man
did not wish to make any particular
complaint. only wished to call our
attention to the situation. Have we
not known of it? Have not some Of
! Dur citizens been walking these streets
the last few days trying to devise
some way to units our people and
build this hotel? Some of the bust
ness men have no money for this pub
lie enterprise but those same citizens
have the monty with which to run
} automobiles. III the present situation
keeps up there will be. In a few years.
little money for any automobiles In
Sumter. Commercial travellers are
avoiding Sumter. Strangers who visit
us are turned out into the streets at
night. Some have had to sit up all
. night. These men are travelling
throughout the land spreading the
news and telling others OF our splen-
Old reputation for hospitality. Is
this doing Sumter and good? What
are you. Mr.. Citizen. going to do soou,
III This h not the fault OF any one
citizen. nor OF Mr.. jackson at the
Hotel Sumter. Sumter must have a
new hotel and that hotel muse have
at least 100 rooms and cost around
100000. No one man In Sumter can
build this hotel nor any Ave men. The
entire community must build Il. When
approached on this subject the ma
'jority II our citizens have said: Let
the other fellow subscribe" Man
after man. who has been seen. has
put up the same story. sumter is
not large city In which a few can
accomplish an undertaking an largo
as this one. Subscribe every dollar
; that you can and the other fellow will
Tdo his part. II takes team work to
build a city. IL John Jones has not
done the right thing in the past Il Is
no reason why you should not show
your public spirit now. What DIFF
ierence does II make whether the no.
tel goes on Liberty Street or whether
IL goes on. Main Street? The hotel is
the thing We want. The hotel we
must have. The reputation Of Sum-
ter is II stake.
Sumter is fast losing her position In
the state OF South Carolina for prog
}. ressiveness and for hospitality. The
writer has only the best interest of
Sumter at heart In every other line
Of endeavor he has found the citizens
a unit and has found them pulling
together like men. There was no
more inspiring sight than chat exhibit.
, I'D when the offer Of the seaboard Air
Line was accepted at the public meet
Ing at the Chamber of Commerce
What was done In teat case can be
done again. Are you. Mr.. Citizen.
ready t. do your part? Again I ask.
What are you suang TO do about IL?
Respectfully yours.
A. v. SMELL.