The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1909-11-19
MAGAZINE MAN eooMs FLORIDA

South the most important magazine
published in the interests of Florida
and the south generally, was in the
city last week, and while here gave
an informal talk before committee
from the chamber of commerce.
Mr.. Riley has been preaching the
gospel of Florida through his maya
zine for the past year or two, and is
enthusiastic over the future Of this
state. He was one of the first of the
progressive type of writer's to recog-
nize the bOundless possibilities and
resources Of Florida, and has not hes
itated TO express his sentiment
through the cOlunlm of his periOdi-
cal. The New South" has a wide
circulation, reaching people in every
state in the Union, and in almost ev-
cry country Of the civilized globe.
His work for Florida has been of i'm
mense value in calling the attention
of the people of the world to the gol-
den future of the state. In his ad
dress before the committee of the
chamber of commerce, Mr.. Riley said
in part:
4 am indeed glad to meet with the
representatives of the progressive ell
ement of the business and social life
of Ocala. Ocala has, in my opinion,
great future in store for it. | con
slider it the very best town of its size
in the state. You have the natural
advantages of location, transporta-
ton and scenic environment, so essen
tial to the upbuilding Of a community.
Added to these, the type of citizen
ship is of the highest order of intelli-
gence, and find all of you working
in perfect harmony for the betterment
of existing conditions.
Nowhere in Florida have l met
with more energetic, intelligent and
earnest men with higher ideals than |
l have right here in Ocala. This city |
is bound to go ahead, and | predict |
that you will far out-distance all COM |
petitors in the race for supremacy.
1T is perhaps unnecessary to state !
to you gentlemen that l am a thorough
believer in the glorious future for this
glorious state. l have been writing it
and talking it for some time, as you
perhaps know. The people of Florida
themselves do not seem to realize
the tremendous interest now being
throughout the north and
east, in Florida. In my office in Chi
cago l have over 10000 letters on file
correspondence from ev-
cry state in the Union. and from every
country in the world asking about
conditions in Florida.
The bulk of these Inquiries come
rom earnest men and women who are
lesiroUs of securing a home or a farm
n this state. They come from a class
)f people who will make desirable :
and who will assist in the de-
'elopment Of Florida along the right g,
ines. By this, mean, they are agri-
with a trained knowledge =.
i soil production, and only needing
he necessary information to guide .,
hem right in new section where
are considerably different =
rom those they are most used to.
Il have made eight trips to Florida !,
within the year just past, all mainly
or the purpose Of observation and in
esugation. | have made an exhaust
We study of your soils and climatic
and l can truthfully say
hat in no other section of the coun- "
ry does nature SO materially assist
he farmer and grower. I trust Won =
MI pardon me if | venture the asser-
ion that the farmers in this state "
peahlng generally, are not getting :,
rom the soil what they should. Con-
itions here are as nearly absolutely -
erfect for intensive farming as one
ould possibly wish for In the years
D come, when the peoples of the Il
arth are made aware of the magni6-
ent opportunities that lie waiting
hem in this state, farming conditions
nd methods will be vastly improved. -,
nd Florida then shall take its right >,
IL place in the galaxy of states. NV :.
oservation teaches me that the one -
rying need of Florida is people. You -
eed people in this state to develop =
s wonderful resources. and to demon
trate to the world just what can be -
one here. The people are coming -
ne right kind of people-and I feel =,
lat you citizens of OcaIa are going to =
your part in giving them a whole >,
pulled welcome to the 'shirt-sleeve'
tate.