The weekly true Democrat. (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1905-1912, 1907-08-16

south America. Mr.. Flagler with his
wonderful foresight recognized that his
line must have q port through which
this traffic could belhandled, and started
one Of the most costly undertakings Of
the age, namely the construction of
the railroad across the Keys to Key
West. It Is not only 9 costly construc-
ton per mile, but Il runs .127 miles
through section almost bare Of the
possibilities for future trafc. The mil
lions he put in this enterprise did not
come from any section Of the State, but
il brought millions OF dollars into the
State which went into circulation. How
haye the people of Florida treated this
enterprise?
BY increased taxation and a deter
mined disposition Oh the part Of some
leaders Of the people to say by the en-
actment of laws what shall be charged
on this and other railroads for the car
riage Of passengers. A short while
since cigar factory was induced to
transfer its operations from this city
to another because Of inducements
which included, we are informed, ex-
emption from taxation and practically
bonus of SIG, IL was likely good
policy to do this. Then why, may we
ask, should the capitalist who is putting
his millions into an enterprise which
means so much TO Florida, 50 much to
the South in opening a port for the in
terchange of trcffic with countries we
have now inadequate facilities to reach,
countries that require hundreds of mill
lions of cotton goods alone, be ham,
pered by greater taxation and trade
restraints by the very people whom i
Is designed 70 benefit1 Do Southern
people prefer to have their cotton 60
TO England and Germany to manufac-
ture and supply these countries! Do
they prefer to have 20 per cent OF the
manufactured goods Of the United
States be forced 10 90 to New York TO
take vessels there, or are they willing
to have Mr.. Flagler and other capital
lists complete their projects for the de-
velopment Of Central and South Amer
lean trade TO continue unembarrassed2
These are questions we leave for the
sensible workinRman and business man
to think over for themselves. When
they 20 TO the polls to vote they must
decide whether to support representa-
tives whose policy will be TO tax and
harass capital 30 that Il cannot be Sc
cured for investment in this State, or
for men whose judgment Ia such that
they realize the risk those who have
capital to invest must take In such en-
terprises and enact laws Of such q ma
ture that they should bear q just pro-
portion Of taxation for governmental
purposes, and show those who want 10
invest that they have the good will Of
the people Of the State in their efforts.
A recent news item stated that for
the past six months the Seabroard Air
Line had not been earning it's fixed
charges. This may or may not be true;
but IL il Is true and continues, 1t means
default In the interest on its
bonds and q receivership, with the con-
sequent chaos and retarding Of improve
ments that follow. The SeabOard is a
very, very important factor in the de-
velopinent Of this State. Like the
Florida East Coast, Il must have larger
and better terminal facilities at Jack
sonville, where IL IL also spending over
a million dollars for new shops.
Like the Florida East Coast Il recog-
nizes that the Central and South Amer
lcan trade Is going 20 be an important
factor to be dealt with in the future,
and its Tampa terminals are outlined
on the broadest possible basis. IL not
only means millions spent In improve
ments, but will mean the bringing Of
trade through that port which in few
years will run up into hundreds Of mill
lions. Yet how are Mr. Flagler and
Mr.. Ryan Of the Seaboard treated by
dominant New York (Hearst) newspa-
per that circulates IN Florida, and has
its followers by the thousands, who al
most TO a man are against railroads,
good or bad. The Hearst papers evade
no trifiing Incident to inhame the pas
sions and prejudices Of the people who
in their minor grievances which grew
ances apply not to railroads alone
overlook the main issue at stake, that
is, the antagonism TO railroad capital In
drastic legislative acts which is forcing
capital TO seek investment elsewhere,
and is today paralyzing many railroad
managers Of the South In securing new
capital 20 complete improvements con-
templated and which must be made TO
give the facilities TO the public they are
entitled TO and have a right TO expect.
You can't 20 20 your groceryman and
say al am out Of work and you must
sell me your goods at such and such a
price, nor tell your landlord the same
thing. The entire shutting down Of the
Florida East Coast Railway would not
be felt financially by Mr.. Flagler his
holdings here are but an investment and
reinvestment Of capital which he has
acquired or IL acquiring. He could no
doubt place il elsewhere equally as well.
The same applies 70 Mr.. Ryan. The
shutting down of the SeabOdrd Air
Line Railroad would be but a mere In
cident with him, but it Is q serious