The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-01-03


will touch the million mark. The
citizens OF Sumter have done we'll. We
have had our ups and downs but
solid foundation has been laid for
still greater accomplishments. All
about us are improvements that will
work to make Sumter the Queen of
the Pee Dee section Of South Caro-
lima. The brick pavement on Main
Street. the improved lighting on that
street. the improvements at the A. c.
l.. station. the new Y. M. c. A.
building where the men Of Sumter
will be able to gather and to discuss
city problems. the improved store
fronts. such as the Green building
and the Craig Furniture store, the
coming Of the Rowland Buggy Fac
tory. the expenditure Of large sums
OF money by the Atlantic Coast Line
for increased freight facilities the
improvements at the Sumter Brick
Works the many new homes and
improved resident streets; all these
new improvements and many more
have taken place In the year 1911.
While Sumter has gone through
very trying year because Of the low
price Of cotton. yet the merchants
have done well. Few Of them are
complaining OF the business done and
many Of the stores report a larger
business than during the preceding
year. Labor has been we'll paid and
Is prosperous. Never In the history
OF the country has there been so
much to do and so few hands to do
II with. The County and City need
more labor and this il one Of the
problems to be faced.
During this year the Chamber OF
Commerce has been re-organized
and the citizens Of Sumter are pull
Ing together. might and main. The
aim Of the Secretary has been to
cement this relation and to promote
the get together" spirit.
IL has been his aim to organize the
Chamber on a business basis. The
Retail Association has been thorough
ly organized and the Credit Bureau
has handsomely paid those mer-
chants who have. used II. The yell
low letter has brought results. The
Chamber proposes to stand back of
the merchants Of the city and to en-.
courage home buying and increased
trade. The foundation has been laid
and Sumter Is now ready to alvance
along every line. Forward" Is the
watchword. Forward in city improve
men' city government. city beautiful. !
new business tnd new industries. The
citizens OF Sumter and the Chamber
of Commerce. as In the past. stand
ready to aid the farmers In every eff
fort for Improvement. In the diversi-
fication Of crops. better roads, better
schools. and better living conditions.
To accomplish these things. however,
the united cooperation of the farm
ers is necessary.
What then does the year 1912
promise? We do not like to predict.
II has been the policy Of this Office to
make no promises or statements Of |
what we are to have until we secure |
them. Yet Sumter is reasonably sure
Of the Seaboard Air Line and with |
the promise of other local lines |
Within the year about $4,000 is to !
be expended on the new gas plant. |
This convenience will mean much |
for our homes and for home COM
fort. Our banks have increased their |
facilities. We are promised a new |
bank and office building. This Of
flee building is badly needed. This |
building will offer a home for our
business men and will be a drawing
card for general agencies and COM
mercial men. Another bank Is draw
ting plans for It's new home on Main
Street. The new year will see many
changes among our retail merchants.
New industries are promised and It is
certain that Sumter will secure some
new factories before 1912 shall have
closed.
To recite our needs would fill sew
eral columns but there are severa
needed improvements and openings
ia sumter that our citizens must
bend every effort to meet. A new
hotel Is certainly one Of thse needs.
The Chamber OF Commerce has not
been idle and II Is more than likely
that there will be some interesting
announcements hefnra long Tho