The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-11-19
SEAb0ARO IN CHARLESTON.
CITY COUNCIL GRANTS RIGHT OF
WAY TO NEW LINE.
charleston Northern Railway is Name
OF New Branch Line of $. \. l..
Which Seeks Charleston as Outlet
-BOnSal Asks Franchise.

Charleston, Nov. 1.-THE entrance
OF the SeabOard Air Line into Char
lesion was assured tonight when city
council granted to the Charleston
Northern railway a franchise for the
use of certain streets which leads to
the SeabOard Air Line terminal prop
erty along the eastern waterfront,
and also rights Of way through streets
at the northern end of the city that
give a course to the Ashley river for
the purpose of trackage to contem-
plated steel bridge that will connect
Charleston with Savannah along the
new lines planned
The Charleston Northern railway
tacitly admitted to be a branch of the
SeabOard Air Line, must furnish bond
Of $150,00O to the city by December
l to guarantee beginning of construc-
ton Of its trackage in the city by
January /, to be completed within 1S
months. The franchise granted also
provides for right Of way along the
east waterfront for Carolina, Clinch-
field & Ohio tracks, provided the
Carolina, Clinchfield & Ohio shall start
building operations within three years.
Charleston assumes a cost Of possibly
$4,000 by action of city council to-
night. This is 70 pay for the con-
demnation of property necessary to
give the Charleston Northern railway
the right Of way petitioned for in con-
junction with the Carolina, Clinchfield
& Ohio, it being estimated that pos
sibly $4,000 will cover the cost of
securing the Charleston Northern rail-
way right Of way through certain
streets along the east frontage and to
Ashley river.
For several days the Charleston
Northern railway proposition has
been under consideration of a special
committee Of city council, and plans
had been perfected for action at the
I.
The Seaboard Air Line has long
desired to enter Charleston and owns
valuable property on the waterfront
Recent report has said that local bus
mess men have disposed Of an addi-
tional track bordering on the Sea
board Air Line property for magnifi-
cent sum. Mayor Grace declared to-
nights action Of city council is history
making for this city. for the granting
Of the Charleston Northern railway
rights of way in Charleston means the
entrance Of the SeabOard Air Line.
1t is understood that the Seaboard
Air Line and the Clinchfield are work
ing hand in hand on the Charleston
terminus plan and that the two lines
will connect and divert to this port a
The grant made tonight includes
both the Seaboard and the Clinchfield
under certain conditions, making. the
way easy for these two lines to enter
Charleston. Right Of way from An
drews to Charleston, it is understood,
have been generally secured.
The Charleston Northern railway
was recently commission I'd and now
awaits the grant of it's charter by the
State. 1t is the last link between Char
lesion and connecting Seaboard Air
Line, although they may be called by
other names.
The franchise granted tonight by
council will coincide with the length
Of the State charter secured. Messrs
BOnsal and Buist represented the pc
titiOnerS.