The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1922-02-11
State Highway
Engineer Resigns
Letter to Macdonald Causes
Action. Member of Com
mission Says 1T Savors
of Making a Goat Out
of Mr.. Moorefield.'

Columbia. Feb. 7.--Charles H.
Moorefield. state highway engineer.
has placed III the hands OF the
chairman Of the state highway
commission. r. Goodwin Rhett.
his rasfgnaeien, effective at the
pleasure of the commission. II was
understood last night that unless
4 special meeting of the state
highway commission IS called pre-
viousl4., Mr.. Mooretield's resisna-
ton viii be acted upon at the reg
ulaE meeting. which will be held a
Neek, from today.
Mr.. Moorefeld's action grows
out CT the CONSTRUCTION put upon
aslester written by him te Thomas
IL. Macdonald. chief of the feder-
al bureau OF, public roads. a copy
CT which was submitted TO mem
peTs of the way and means com
nli.tees of the house last week.
when highway matters We're under
consideration before that commit
Ieesse
Certain leaders in the general as
seE.bly have insisted that such q
Jeuer was ar. indiscretion on the
parts cf Mr. Moorefield. In tender
ing 4ais resignation. 20 Mr.. Rheti.
chairman of the highway comn1;s-
sion.s AIR. Moorefeld -SprcsSed his
Willingness to retire II his clinlina-
rion would harmonic elements
that have been opposing the high
way department and its program.
Ii IS understood that certain leaders
inEthe house and. the senate have
assured Governor Cooper that Mr..
a,-oorefefd's retirement would elm
iaate. the fight on the highway de-
sarsnent.
Charles o. Hearon of Snarian-
burg. member OF the state highway
commission, who was III Columbia
gesterdaM expressed surprise AZ the
tarH sne fight on the state highway
ae,5artnnen, h:sd taken i'll the de-
Gtand for the resignation Of Mr..
Moorefeid. state highway engineer.
Il is. possible. he said. that Mr..
Moorsfeld'S s letter might have been
an. indiscretion. but in no way IN
dicafed disIosalts or lack OF inter-
esss IN the development of high
WAYS IN South Carolina. Mr.. Hear
on suggested that the legislature
should have legislated the whole
commission out Of Office rather than
pick outJhe engineer That sort OF
thing. he said. would, not build or
n,aintsin any system of state high
3axs.--
..I have been 5n the state high
wy commission, he said since its
aegssinnins and no asepcy in the
siSIe up TO this time has been freer
ofs politics or accomplished more
IL; -; constructive way with less
encouragement. This turn distress
essme, because in my judgment it
sayors of making goat out Of Mr..
NeoreGeld'
Following is the letter that Mr..
Maorefeld wrote to Mr.. Macdonald.
Which IS the basis for the demand
foS his removal: I enclose here
wfh copy OF q bill which has just
been introduced in the legislature
By e. T. Hughes for the purpose
on reerganizing the highway de-
paxtnent AR. Hughes, whom you
x remember in connection with
tie Pee Dee bridge matter, is
elsinains support for this measure
u0 only on the grounds that il
wM save the state considerable
money.but that it will satisfy all
sedaddtiops Of the federal aid law.
sin reading the bill it strikes me
riias it may fail TO make it possible
foS the, department Of agriculture
tos continue cooperation with this
st4te and if this is the case. should
lilse ofscourse very much TO get the
Information before the legislature
ins convincing form. A telegram
frem. either yourself or the secre-
1aG OF agriculture stating that 1t
w9nid not be possible for YOU to
cooperate under measure of that
kied. in case that would be the
fakt, could be used very Effective
lysia combating Mr. Hustes' at
tax.
zk~attack or the highway de-
paptsalent~ has been very -skillfgiiy
organized and launched jus: at the
time our friends in the legislature
were launching 9 movement Tor ex-
pandia& the work Of the highway
department and ! understand it is
likely ID ~become law unless it is
slGfswn 10 he Inadequate for meet
Ms the federal aid requirements.
: s1.The bill was kept a secret antil
introduced and it has been ;,dvencce;
org the calendar Very rapidly SO
ti.at IL will come up IS special or
der for next Tuesday and 1t is like
1yvto pass the house at that time.
& al all / hope. therefore. YOU Will
Beyabie TO give this letter immedi
atee consideration and If YOU feel
w.rranted in writing the governor.
orshayins the secretary of aSricul-
feEe wire him. that it will be done
noF later than TUESDAY morning.
Isgou could also express in the
seagram Willingness 70 cooper
;sts with-tf4e legislature in framing
3 measure that would meet the fed
eral law, I think that would be
fignfE desirable.
HaenifaI For