The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-01-19
RumOrs and Grumbling.
Editor Daily Item.

| ruiiiof anu SrumDllnS, circulating In
Sumter, as well as many other places,
touching a number of things, which
those who are in a position to do so,
and either publicly and authoritative
y denied and set at rest, or if found
correct, publicly condemn these acts
regardless of whom it may concern
| If you think it is compatibale with
public interest to publish same, | will
enumerate several Of the things that
are whispered about. it being under
stood, that the matter is strictly
hearsay and 1 have no facts or first
hand information on the subject, but
things that are merely talked about
In ordinary times and under nor
NAL conditions, I would not give il
the slightest thought, but in our pres
ent circumstances, harmonious social
intercourse, equitable and just busi-
ness dealings, correct distribution of
duties and mutual sharing OF bur-
dens, are the greatest public require
ments to maintain our equilibrium.
HOarding.
1t is said that there is enough su-
gar in the Sumter pantries to supply
every man, woman and child their
normal domestic needs for two or
more months, ii those who have too
much would share with those who
have nOne;. yet there are hundreds OF
families who have not had a grain of
sugar for several days. 1t is said
of sugar in storage here about Sum-
ter that some private families have
stored away from 100 to 500 pounds
in their pantries that will last them
for a year and are are still increasing
their supply every time a shipment of
sugar reaches Sumter. Not only in
the city alone but all over the county,
the same thing exists.
Sugar, l am informed, will be COM
ing in regularly and ample for all if
conservatively used, so there is no use
playing hog about it.
Classific.tiOns.
Some of the boys in the draft age,
it is rumored, are complaining that
classifications are obtained irregularIy
through misleading information. lack
Of judgment and favoritism or pref
udice.
I know that the Sumter boys are
no slackers or towards, and if they
are satisfied that their turn has come
honestly and fairly, they will not
grumble and gladly serve their dear
Uncle Sam but like a true American
he will resent anything unfairly dis
tributed
] know the members of the Sumter,
board are fair-minded men, and if a
committee of well known ciizens
would deny these charges above their
signatures, after a careful survey OF
the matter it would forever set aside
these disturbing rumors, as un-
qualifiedly injurious to, the reputation
OF the members of the board.
| Fuel.
The shortage of coal all over the
country did not miss Sumter. and q
great deal Of suffering from the cold
| n hn 1nc
found it's echo in dissatisfied express
sions with the distribution of coal. II
is said that some people had plenty
coal III their bins, but were the first
ones to receive a ton of coal, while
those who had none did not get any.
Ihat some people, in the last three
weeks have been getting coal all
along from every shipment and 9TH
! ers ala not get any, and especially
those who need it worst were unable
to get it. That those who got coal a
plenty have paid special bonuses
above the regular price do not
dispute the right of any man to sell
his wares 10 whom he pleaSeS in
quantities he pleases under normal
conditions, but at the present con
uition / claim that no man has the |
moral right to refuse the needy small |
quantities of necessities and furnish
to others in large quantities. A car
lead of 60 tons distributed among 12O |
or 200 families or customers would
more fully accomplish the sustenance
OF the community than if allotted to
sixty customers only.
Our government is using it's utmost
cndcavor to accomplish an equitable
distribution of vital commodities
through voluntary agreements. in or
DER not to interfere with private