The Anderson daily intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson, S.C.) 1914-1915, 1914-11-21
THAT RAILROAD TO ATLANTA

is that OF the proposed railroad to
Atlanta from Anderson. The Intelli-
gencer has made some inquiry TO as
certain the facts I'm regard 10 this
matter, and TO see If there really is
any connection between the very
much desired and needed railroad di-
| rectly to Atlanta. and the franchise
granted the Southern Public Utilities
Company. The charge has tecn made
br rather iE&inuated. that the high
officials OF the Southern Power Com.
| pany, and several OF the prominent
gent .emcn of the city, promised that
If the franchise were granted that an
electric road to Atlanta would be
forthcoming almost at once.
1t appears that the railroad matter
came up at a meeting held in Amber
| son to rcorganizc the then defunct
Chamber OF Commerce. One Of the
speakers at this meeting was Mr. w.
S. Lee, vice president OF the Southern
| Power company. and u man high up In
the counsels OF his company, and an
| Anderson county man. In his speech
he stated that he expected to be build
ing railroads for the next ten years.
This remark set some of the business
men nt this meeting to thinking of
the possibilities of a railroad to At
lanta. Mr.. Lee was also u speaker
at another meeting held later.
a t. p. A. rally, at which
representatives of number of
cities and towns of Georgia were
present. At this meeting the matter of
railroad to Atlanta from Anderson
was limited. and MIR. Ice told the
gentlemen present that IL they work
ed hard enough and were patient,
they could secure railroad, but that
1t would take time and perseverance
on their part. No promise was made
/ that. his company or that he would
have anything to DO with building this
road.
Following this meeting, and months
before the franchise matter was even
thought of. number of progressive
| business men OF Anderson, got togeth-
er and formed a syndicate, each sub
scribing $500 to fund to be used to-
gether with similar fund by q SINH
lar syndicate in Atlanta, for the pur-
pose OF promoting this railroad mat
ter. They were to secure rights of
way, make surveys and do oil neces-
sary detail work to be done
to interest capitalists In the matter
Of building this road. Their agreement
was drawn ty local attorney. and
among the provisions of this agree
ment, no effort Was to be made to
make any money. but It was express
ly stated that the syndicate would do
all this work. and turn It over to the
Juilders OF the road. they to be re-
imbarsed for their actual expendi-
lures with per cent interest on their
money.
The purpose of this syndicate was
to- secure a direct railroad to Atlanta,
not necessarily an electric road. They
were working for the upbuilding of
<hhuSi SUM- uLu W IihpuSh liSti iuo-
tives is to acknowledge either preju-
dice or mislnformation. Had the mat
ter gone through as they hoped It
would, there might possibly be now
definite prospect of this much neede'
railroad being built, but tine Atlanta
end of the syndicate proposition did
not mateFiaiize. and while the hope
is not yet abandoned, it is for the
present held in abeyance, although
this agreement Is still in existence
and will be shown anyone who wishes
to see It.
When the franchise matter came up
later, these gentlemen, being public
spirited and wishing to build up the
city. were in favor Of Il being granted.
The Intelligencer Is assured by some
Of them that there was no promise
nor induceinent held out to any mem
ber Of the council by any member of
the syndicate that a railroad would
be built as a result OF granting the
franchise. To state that Council wa
unduly influenced in granting this
franchise would be to question their
honesty and the honesty of the gentle
men who composed this syndicate.
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