The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-07-29
PRESIDENT HARRISON CON-
FIRMS REPORT TO SEN
ATE AT MEETING
DENIES CHARGES
Says Statements Made By B. L.
Dulaney Are Erroneous and
- Without Foundation

WdSHluSIOH, July li.-COnuTmdLlOu
Of the intention of the Southern Rail-
way to build Immediately at Charles
ton, SC, an independent coal ter
minal, largely for Panama canal traf-
fic, was given today by President Fair
fax Harrison before the special senate
committee Investigating the coal rate
situation in the south.
Mr.. Harrison told at length of the
financial affairs of his road, particu7
larly Of its distress in 1908.\ His cross
tomorrow on the finan-
cial relations between the road and
its directors probably will conclude
the hearings until next December.
President Harrison said Engineers
were now at work preparing plans for
the construction of a terminal to ac-
commodate the loading of one ship at
a time at Charleston, and that it
would take from nine months to a year
to complete the work. He said he
had desired to arrange to use the pro-
posed Clinchfeld road terminals at
but after months of con-
he had found in May or
June last that this was impossible be-
cause Of objections of shippers.
Costs Immense Sum.
Mr.. Harrison estimated that it
would cost s11,3O0,OOO to put his road
from the Appalachian coal fields to
Charleston into proper shape for pro-
fitable coal transportation and to COM
plete the terminals at Charleston.
He said the charges to the shipper
would be he same as that charged by
the Norfalk G Western from the Po-
cahontas field, although the expense
of the traffic to his road would be
greater than over the rival inc.
During his testimony Mr.. Harrison
denied emphatically that his road was
controlled by the solcalled trust
coal interests, by other railroads con-
trolled by these interests, or by Wall
street. He expressed the opinion that
B. L. Dulaney, Independent coal opera
tor of Bristol, Tenn, who charged in
his testimony bad faith on the part oi
the Southern toward coal operators
along its line, was suffering from
a "delusion of persecution"
President Harrison, referring to Mr.
Dulaney, said:
"I believe Mr.. Dulaney has a deep
seated hatred for one or two men who
have succeeded in the Virginia and
Southwestern and Appalachian coal
fields where he failed. Being unable
to reach these two men he attacked the
Southern Railway, as a railroad In
these days IS always a target fer at
tack.
Resents Charges.
II resent with every fibre Of my be-
ing the charges of bad faith and Chi
chancery brought about the organi-
zation of the Southern, and I think
am supported therein by that great
mass of people who have done busi-
ness with us in the south. feel a
further resentment at the charge that
the direction of the policy OF the
Southern Railway has been in outside
hands and that the management has
been for any other interest than that
of the south. The ambition and policy
of the Southern has been to take a
part in the regeneration Of the south
and in that policy its officers and man
agement all along has shaped its
course
Refers to Growth.
President Harrison gave a histori.
cal description Of the growth Of the
Southern, emphasizing particularly
Howth, $500 rifles and 100000 rounds
Of ammunition were landed under the
the brilliant campaign of railroad ac'
uuisition" carried on by the late Pres
ident Spencer.
President Harrison was questioned
regarding the Southern's purch Use o.
the Virginia & Southwestern railway
which Dulaney charged was effected
at an unnecessarily high figure.
IT asked Mr.. Spencer why he palc
talon Of Scottish borderers came on
5000 a share for the Virginia ant
Southwestern" testified Mr.. Harrison
"and he said he had to get it-tha1
there was competition for it and he
felt the Southern needed it to get tt
the Appalachian field"
Mr.. Harrison characterized as "ab
solutely untrue" the charge made by
Dulaney that the Pennsylvania rail
road influenced the affairs Of the
Southern. He declared his campaaJ
had favored the development of hydro.
electric power, saying it developed
industries and could bring glory
enough for all"
In Hard Luck.
Mr.. Harrison said the sudden death
of President Spencer left the company
with one of the severest difficulties
railway ever faced.
'In 1908 we came as near disaster
as a railroad can come" added Mr.
Harrison. "a railroad with income
can borrow, but our income fell of.
spent the time in New York trying to
borrow money and President Finley
spent his time on the road to cut OH
expenses"
Mr.. Harrison read several letters he
wrote to President Finley at the time
One told Of borrowing s2,0OO,JOO from
three New York banks for three
months at 10 per cent. Mr.. Harrison
suggested to the president that all
construction be stopped and the cash
box closed down. He spoke of ]. Pier
to advance enough money to tide over
the Southern.