The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-10-10
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. NOTES.
ors"hizatioh Dissatisfied With Inac-
uvity OF Coast Line I'm Fulfilling
Promises.

directors Of the Sumter Chamber of
Commerce was held last Monday even
ing. Several matters Of Importance
were discussed.
Mr.. Il. Il. Belser, vice president, who
VIII Introduce n bill regarding the cot
ton acreage reduction legislation. and
an amendment to the State warehouse
bill. conferred with his associates re-
garding provision which will. If
adopted. permit cities and counties to
appropriate funds for municipal and
county owned warehouses and grain
elevators for storage of grain, and for
the purpose Of creating markets for
county raised grains, subject to the
law proposed governing State ware
houses. cotton and other agricultural
warehouses.
The board OF directors unanimously
approved the idea Of municipal and
county warehouses. and directed the
secretary to So notify the entire Sum-
ter county delegation in the legis-
lature.
The managing secretary was called
upon to state what the status of the
proposed improvements at the Allan
tic Coast Line passenger station is,
and II there Is any likelihood of any
relief in the immediate future from
the conditions existing at the depot
as promised by President Kenly Of the
Coast Line during a recent conference
In Sumter with city council and direc-
tors Of the local commercial organiza-
ton. The secretary stated that he
thought the Coast Line was awaiting
the decision Of the heirs Of the estate
OF the late Mrs. Mary A. Epperson as
to grating a portion of their land for
the proposed new street from Hauser
to Harvin. but that he heard there
was no likelihood Of an agreement be-
ing reached.
Councilman j. Phil. Booth, being
present, said that Mayor Jennings had
under previous agreement taken up
the matter with the heirs of Epper-
son estate. but that they, while re-
fusing to give half Of the land neces-
sary for proposed improvements are
willing to sell to the railroad upon
terms.
1t was the sentiment Of the board !
that the Coast Line should come to |
some terms regarding the proposed
and not delay further. |
There was some intimation Of legisla-
i've action being asked to get the
Coast Line to grant the improvements.
some thought that request for or q
'enewal Of the Union station pas
'enger b!l for Sumter was the best
'teps to be taken.
However. after considerable dis
,ussion in which 1t was unanimously
agreed that 1t Is the business Of the
Atlantic Coast Line to purchase
whatever land Is needed or to other
wise obtain same by whatsoever agree
nent can be reached between the rail-
road and other interested parties, 1t
vas decided to refer the matter to the |
secretary to correspond
with President Kenly emphasizing the
TACT that the people of Sumter want
the improvements which are needed
and promised. and to try to get the
company to make a definite
statement Immediately of what might
be expected. and to report to the di-
rectons at next Mondays weekly meet
ing.
The idea advanced Is that the At
lantic Coast line has put up the right
kind Of depots in other cities and
towns unconditional upon private
parties or others donating land there
for. And that the Coast Line is
amply able t. buy whatever land is
needed IL they cannoot get it free.
The people of Sumter are unques-
dissatisfied with the treat
ment accorded Sumter by the Atlantic
Coast Line railway company in the
matter of the passenger station in
The Sumter Chamber of
Commerce and city councils have
been conservative and fair with this
company. assisting in
putting down unfair passenger rate
bills, and otherwise giving the rail-
roads a square deal.
When the Coast Line passenger sta
tion was partially destroyed by fire
several years ago 1t required about ten
or twelve months for the company to
repair the roof and to fix up the inside
OF the depot. a long suffering public
endured winters rain and cold, and