The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1906-12-21
To the Editor ocala Banner:
py Hon. Robert L. Anderson.


at the very opening of the national
legislature we find the rivers and har-
bors congress, composed of delegates
from all parts of the country, hold
ing it's session in Washington, and
demanding an appropriation of s5"
100 to improve the waterways
and harbors of the United States.
Among the strongest reasons adj
yanced in the address before the
great convention for granting this
appropriation is the necessity of
checking and ultimately destroying
the present railroad control of the
nations commerce. A full and an in
telligent use of water transportation
is the surest means of accomplishing
this.
II seems TO me that the people of
Ocala, and of this entire section of
Florida, have an interest in these mat
matters. Their voice should be heard
and their influence should be exacted
Gin favor of liberal appropriation for
improving the harbors and water
ways in our vicinity.
II this is to be done, now is the
time to act. The country seems to
be aroused on the subject. The pres
ident has made it plain in his recent
speeches that he favors generous aid
from the government toward develop
ing and improving the commercial
possibilities of rivers and harbors.
In this connection it is well to bring
20 public notice what has been done
at Port Inglis. Here is seaport car
rying on an already vast commerce,
through the efforts, the money and
brains. of a few men controlling the
Dunnellon Phosphate company. How
much money this company has expend-
ed in the work is not publicly known,
but the amount should easily exceed
a half million dollars.
Capt. John l.. Inglis. the Messrs.
Auchincloss and other men of wealth
I'm the Dunnellon Phosphate company
have already accomplished much. The
figures show it. They have done it,
too. without government aid, thus far.
The results these men have attain
ed are truly surprising, and demon
strate their wisdom and business sa-
gacity.
Here are a few figures taken from
Official sources which give some idea
of the business of Port Inglis up to
December 81. 1905:
The value of exports for 1905 was
$2.222,532. The value of imports was
s133,3G0. The increase in tonnage in
1905 over that in 1904 was 60 per cent
The total commerce from Septem.
Der %, 1902, when business began
to December 81, 1905 was 81, 1853, 1850
The number of vessels and craft
was 80.
The statistics for 1906 not yet pub
lished, will. am informed. show a
heavy increase over 1905.
IL is well known that by means OF
financial aid from the government
this port can be made an excellent
harbor. in which shipping can be safe
~ and economically carried on at al
seasons of the year.
The railway owned by the Dunn
ellon company, is and has been fol
several years in operation from the
companys mines at Dunnellon
Should this road, through stroke Of
good fortune for Ocala, ever be ex
tended TO this city, the good results
would be well nigh incalculable. The
management of the road would be il
the hands Of men who are the friend:
OF our people, and who would be, as
they have been in the past, ready t.
cooperate with their energy ant
means in developing the industrie!
and building up the fortunes of thi.
section.
Ought not Ocala and this territor,
extend a helping hand to and ex
hibit some interest in Port Inglis?
II is in our power to assist mater
tally in securing recognition and al,
ON the present congress for thi
important port.
Let us do it. And that quickly.
Petitions and memorials will be pre-
pared within a short time, calling
upon congress and especially on GU
representatives. The matter will ais
be brought before our Ocala board O
trace.
In this way merited help can b
extended to a worthy enterprise an
in helpirg others we shall at tn
same time be aiding in the growt
and development of Ocala and thi
Of hn fofn