The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-07-11
JACKSONVILLE BUSINESS
MEN FIGHTING SAVANNAH

of Florida in the last few years, none
has been so potent as the naval stores
industry. In less than ten years this
business has grown with astonishing
raDidity and vigor from almost MOTH
Ing to a position of paramount and
commanding Importance. Extending
into almost every county of Florida,
every section and every kind OF bust
ness has felt its progressive and slim
uIating influence. It has increased
the volume of business and attracted
millions of new capital and thousands
of new citizens.
Foreign and domestic commerce has
been marveIOusIy increased. New
communities have been established.
and old ones have grown and pros
pered Banks. wholesale and retail
merchants and all classes of business
have felt the effects of the wealth and
capitaI which has been invested in the
manufacture and production of naval
stores.
The profits of this business have
gone almost entirely to the develop
ment of the business and resources
of Florida. Unlike the lumber and
phosphate business, the naval stores
industry is not only as widespread as
the limits of the state, but its profits
are mainly consumed and invested
within the state.
In the development of this industry,
lands which were of no appreciable
value command prices which were
once not even hoped for. The in
crease in values has not been confined
TO timber lands Its direct result has
been reflected in the rise in value of
farm and city real estate The assess
ed valuation of lands and personal
property in Florida during the past
ten years show an astonishing in
crease
Property that for years has been
held by the state for unpaid taxes has
been redeemed and made productive
Jacksonville, Fernandina, Tampa
and Pensacola have responded TO this
impulse. Wholesale and jobbing
houses in these cities have grown in
number and increased in capital.
There is not a wholesale business
house in Florida that is not in a meas
ure dependent upon this industry for
its present success and future pros
perity.
The growth and effect of the naval
stores industry has not been confined
to Florida. Throughout the pine belt
and particularly in the gulf states,
the same influence has been at work.
AS in Florida, the business of the
Gulf States has received a large meas
ure of support from the manufacture
sale and transportation of tuFpentine
and rosin-
The gulf ports of Alabama, Missis-
sippi and Louisiana have enjoyed an
extensive foreign commerce and act
i've jobbing business as the result of
the development of this industry Rail
and water transportation lines OF all
of the Southern states have been di-
Tectly benefited. The carriage of nav
al stores from interior points to the
seaports and the return of supplies of
all kinds have furnished a great and
steady income to our railroads The
cOaStwiSe transportation of products
of this business has been a large
source of revenue to our steamship
lines The general public receives an
indirect benefit from this in the abili-
ty of the carriers to maintain better
and cheaper service
The prosperity which has marked
the naval stores industry for num-
Der of years has within the past year
been succeeded by the depressing eff
fectS of extraordinary low prices.
Spirits of turpentine is now being sold
at prices lower than any which have
been touched for seven or eight years.
A Manipulated Market.
The prices of naval stores have
dropped by a steady movement for
several months past. the regularity
and precision of which indicates a
manipulated market Within year
the prices of naval stores have fallen
to nearly One-half of the ruling prices
of 1907 To the state of Florida alone
the difference between fair prices and
those which the producer is now COM
PEELED to accept for his product would
mean not less than four or five million
dollars a year in the aggregate
Must Have Prompt Relief.
In view of these conditions, the
governors of the Board of Trade of
Jacksonville feel that the attention OF
the members of the board, of the pee-
PIE Of Jacksonville. of the state of
Florida, and of the producers of the
entire turpentine belt should be ferci-
! bly, directed to the situation Relief
cannot be obtained too soon Our
natural resources are being disSipated
| and forever lost The business of the
state is being diverted and speculative
monopolistic power is being used to
the permanent injury of every bust
ness Interest in this and other South
! eTn states.
Your committee, having. given the
matter careful and serious attention,
/ has, therefore. formulated the follow
| ing resolutions. which are submitted
to the Board Of Trade of the city of
/ Jacksonville for its earnest and early
consideration.
Resolutions Submitted.
| Re If resolved by the BOARD of