The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1916-05-03
NEWS OF INTEREST
FROM CAPITAL CITY

FROM CAPITAL CITY
Much Interest In Conference of Ware.
hOusemen to DO Held Next Wednes.
day.
Columbia, April 29.-Of more signh-
canoe even than the meeting of the
Democratic county conventions on
Monday is the conference of the ware
housemen of the State warehouse sys-
tenn on Wednesday according to tho
view in political circles. That meeting,
In their opinion, has potential posi-
bilities from political standpoint. and
the interest has been whetted by the
air of secrecy surrounding the whole
affair.
For the first time in months Senator
John l.. McLaurin is refusing to talk
In advance Of a conference which CEN
ters around the warehouse system.
While the call for the conference came
through State Senator j. Arthur
Banks, Of Calhoun county, who is
president Of the Warehousemen's AS
ISOLATION, political circles have not
lost sight Of the figure Of Senator Nc
Laurin, who is not only the father of
the system, but also its faithful guard
ian. More than once he has made 1t
known that he is read to fight any
body and anything which opposes the
warehouse system and the fact that
hD
declared that a crisis had been reach
ed in the life Of the warehouse has i'm
pressed the politicians with former
statements made by the warehouse
commissioner Of his intention to wage
warfare on those who get in It's way.
The possibility of Senator McLaurin
entering the race for governor has
been revived in the last few days, but
those in touch with him do not for
one minute think that events will take
this turn. That he has something up
his sleeve which will at the proper
time be sprung on the public every one
believes, but just what it is can only
be speculatcd on. If any one has been
trusted with his plans the confidence
has been preserved and respected and
no hint OF what is contemplated has
been allowed to come out.
The insurance situation will have a
large bearing on the conference, it is
believed. The fight which resulted in
driving the Southeastern Tariff Asso-
citation out Of the State and the with
drawal Of the fire insurance companies
was given big impetus, If not act
ually grading it, through the contro-
Versy which arose when the $l.5S rate
for insurance on cotton stored in State
warehouses was obtained. The history
of the struggle before the General AS
sembly, which eliminated in the pas
sage of the anti-compact bill. Is still
recent. and that fight was carried on in
the main by the friends of the State
warehouse system. The warehouse
men are expected to make known their
opinion on the situation which has
arisen, and they are also expected to
come to some definite opinion regard
ing the advisability of the State going
into the insurance business, which was
advocated by Senator McLaurin in his
letter to Governor Manning suggesting
an extra session Of the legislature.
1t IS not believed that the ware
houscmcn will take any hand at pres
cnt in the race for governor. 1t Is
thought that they Will declare for can
didatcs for the Gcneraly Assembly who
are friendly to the warehouse system
and they arc expected to take a stand
on this matter trough resolutions. ac-
cording to well-groundcd reports.
The warchOusemen, composed most
ly Of farmers, may decide to begin a
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