The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1920-06-05

We're 4lQl SuFS&.csi1O Nouiet eNs. -
later: which they did. L am u11wlll-
.ing to- believe that the reasonSfor the
failure Of the public to be present,
Wit the exception OF two or three,
was due to lack of interest in the pro-.
Eceedinss, but rather to uncertainty,
both as to date and hour of meeting,
sor to other causes.
After Mr.. Olsen and I had testified.
was asked i'll had any other wit
ness to put up. i replied that had
written a letter to the Mayor giving
names of parties who, I felt sure,
could give information. and whom,
apparently he had not requested to
appear. The Mayor took the position
that Council was ready to hear any
one who wished to testify, and if they
were not there, evidently they had no
interest: and that he was satisfied af-
ter hearing me repeat the statements
made. in my letter. and No: Olsen.s
explanations, that everything hae been
done that could be done in the op-
Grafton of the plant. He gave as one
of the reasons for his conclusion that
the statement made by Mr.. Olsen a
Day of two after the publication Of
my letter, when Mr. Olsen stopped
ne on the street and explained to me
the conditions existing at the plant
as he claimed them to be. AT that.
time my only; information as to eX-.
isting conditions at the plant was
that obtained from Mr. Brown. As I
always try to be- fair to everyone, and
as i believed what he told me to be
facts, * said that was sorry that I
had not seen him when went to
the plant, because then I sloG.ts Eot
have written tie letter I did. His
explanations OF. conditions at the
plant, Of sickness and of conditions
in his family. at the time of has COM
ingk here made me feel, not only.
sorry for his position. but somewhat
guilty Of being the cause Though
innocently9 OF adding to his trou-
sbles; and told him so. Since then,
however, nformatio3 that has come
to me, without investigation on my
part has convinced me that, while
Mr.. Olsen may. believe conditions to
be as he stated, it can be proved by
the. testimony by some, at least; of
those whom requested the Mayor
to summon, that they~are' not. I,
believing that Council would investi-
gate. all matters thoroughly, did not
to be summoned, nor did 1 inform
them that their names had been sug-
gested by me. 4 felt, and still feel.
that fairness to all parties would be to
allow the testimony to come out as it
may develop. In doing so, 7 am not.
unconscious Of the fact that I was
giving the manager the advantage, as
he, who is an expert and has been in
charge of the plant for some time,
could draw out all information posi-
Bic TO sustain his contentious; while.
the interest OF the public would de-
pend solely upon the memory and
willingness of the witnesses, assisted
by such questions as my n1eagre
knowledge might suggest asking.
While at the Sumter Machinery
plant one day, 4 discussed the power
conditions with Mr.. T. H. Siddag, Sr.
He began telling me something but
did, not wish to be quoted. / remark
ed that anyone who knew anything
bearing on the subject ought to give
it out. He said he preferred giving
it directly to council, if they asked for
it. What he. might testify. I do not
know for, I believe his attitude was
with Mr.. E. H. Moses. except that
when I returned to my plant just af-
ter my talk with Mr.. Brown, Mr.
Noses was there to see about some
work that we were doing tor him.
told him the cause Of the shut down.
He remarked that the pump in the.
yard must also be out OF order as it
was connected with the circulating
system and could be used in place Of
the. centrifugal pump. This was the
only information used by me in my
letter in addition to that obtained
from Mr.. Brown. He also said some
thing relating to the centrifugal
pump. but did not discuss either the
condition Of the plant Or the manage
ment of the plant. but. on the con-
trary, expressed himself as not desir-
ing 10 De H1lNedz up IN Ine lnatter IN
any way. IN regard to. the engineers
employed at the plant 1 have suffi-
cient honor ard deceney~ MOTTO sneak
behind their superiors' backs to obtain
information, even though certain that
it was favorable to my contention. ]
believe that had I been SO ,unscr1pu-
,ous as to attempt it, their self-respect
and loyalty would have justly rebnk-
ed me. But I also believe that had
council but summoned them and in
structed Them to tell everything they
knew. they would have done SO truth
fully, let the chips fall where they
may
Council apparently took the posi-
ton that because 7 had fled charges
for them to investigate, must as
same the position OF prosecuting Off
Ger and spy. and that they had ful
filed the obligations Of their duties to
the public by allowing me to be pce-
sent ana to repeat the statements
made in my letter. | do not think
anyone. excepting themselves and
these desiring to be 'white-washed ed"