The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson, S.C.) 1914-1917, 1914-05-05
SUSPEND JUDGMENT


not the place to try case that may
require the judicial reference, but
there are in the tangle over the sup
plying Of water to the city schools
some features that are not solely for
til" court. in fact it appears that
there Is some sinister and subtle in
fIuenec ut work in this matter
that the school board is without
knowledge being used to rake thu
chcstnuts out of tho fire
There appears to be determined
effort 10 discredit tho Southern Public
Utilities Company by having it as
sumo an aggressive attitude that
would make it offensive to the people
OF Anderson. A careful reading of
the letter of Prest. II. V. Taylor pub
lished In these columns some days
ago shows that he appealed to the
school trustees to protect his COM
pany, as certain misleading state
ments had emanated as coming from
the board and had not been denied in
the same manner.
Mr.. Taylor asked for construc-
tive case to be made. stating clearly
that he did not wish to cut off the
water from tho schools. The school
board has not accepted the invitation
to test the matter in the ccurts. In
fact the board says that 1t not at
ticking in the rights of the cbhbany,
but merely questions the authority of
the company to charge the schools for
water
In the controversy, which the COM
pany he's not sought, the public in
Anderson should bear In mind a few
things on the equity side 0f this prop
osition.
One Of them Is that, proceeding un-
der contract given by the city of
Anderson, large sum of money has
already been expended converting the
Portman Shoals plant into conformi-
ty with the rest of the power furnish
ed by the Southern Public Utilities
Company.
Another fact is that the Soutnern
Public Utilities company has ordered
the pipe and is preparing to lay the
mains to give Anderson the service
that would have been used now but
for the delay in arriving at settle
ment Of the terms of the new contract.
There has been some covert insin-
uation that the "white way" was fost-
cred by the Public Utilities company,
when the SAct is thsssss there will be an
Itnhmedtate expenditure OF 10000, by,
the companyto give this to the city.
The company has an able attorney
who will look after Its Interests in
court, and upon 'tliat matter we have
no eommant to, make, but we dS5.wSarn
the public not to censure theTc6mpany
for standing up, for it's fiahts when this
matter has been pushed on It, and we
recommend the Sdst Judgment Of the
community to seek out the cause OF
this whole tempest in teapot.
+ Il any OF the citizens Of the comma.
nifty wish to test the validity Of the
contract granted by city council, WhJ
did they not as individuals refuse to
pay the light and water bills under
tho new Contract, contract by the
way, which is reducing the cost OF
these commodities? Why was the
school board brought into this mat
teri
II there is, as there appears to be,
q direct effort being made to discredit
and make unpopular this public SER
vice company. the people should look
for the deep, underlying cause. And
saying this We do not criticise the
school board. for there is every prob
ability that the board is not in1pelled
by any such motives, but wishes
merely to be ON the safe side under
It's own responsibilities. 'l.e' ,a 81
The Public Service company has
been 80 much abused by loose ton
gues that 1t appeals for day in
court? Shall II be given?