The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1911-01-27
BOARD OF TRADE
HOLDS Banquet
At Hotel Saratoga Last Mon
day Night.

The Palatka Board OF lTade nelu IFS
annual banquet in the dining hall of the |
Hotel Saratoga last Monday night, when
"A members, all business and proies-
sional men, did ample justice 10 the
good things provided by Mine Host
Jacobson.
President Geo. B. Selden acted as
toastmaster and before the real work OF
the assembled guests began, there were
reports of officers for the closing year
followed by the election of those who
are to guide the organization for the
coming year.
The report of Secretary de Mont
mollin was interesting as showing the
work of the board during the past IL
months, and which, according 10 that
report have not been idle ones.
The following are the new officers,
all of whom were elected by acclama-
tion: President, John N. Walton; vice
president, DIR. E. w. Warren; secretary,
ii. M. dc Montmollin; treasurer, Henry
Strunz. :,
The Tilghman orchestra was on hand
TO furnish exquisite music and rendered
several selections.
At the conclusion of the business
meeting the members fell TO the real
business in hand and following the feast
there was smoker, during which short
ten minute speeches were made by
Mayor H. A. Davis, IL. A. Mckenzie,
S. /. Hilburn, w. A. Russell, ]. N. Wal
ton, Rev. DR.. ]. w. Purcell, DR.. Chan
dler, l.. c. Stephens, w. 5. Middleton,
and DIR. E. w. Warren, the program
concluding with recitation by VIM. G1
Tilghman. II,
Six new names were added to the
membership during the evening, and
the Palatka Board of Trade now num-
bers some 30 active members.
The address of Mayor Howell a.
Davis, dealing as ii did with the ad-
vancement made by Palatka in the past
| 10 years, was probably the most note
worthy talk of the evening.
Mr.. Davis said:
MIR. Chairman and gentlemen:-l was
asked TO give a ten-minute talk on mt
nicipal affairs, and those who know me
best, know that there is nothing that |
love TO talk about as well as do munich
pal affairs, and the committee was wise
in limiting the time should speak, be-
cause hardly know when TO stop, once
| get started talking about the affairs OF
the city.
AS my time is limited, will only
make few comparisons OF the methods
and conditions of the city ten years ago
and today.
In 1900, the total assessed valuation OF
both realty and personal property was
81 ,iO3, ,552, and in 1910, ii was 81, ,769,695,
or an increase of 90 per cent.
To-. ,,aore ouo tho raUnnup from tlXa-
ton was $17, ,656,S4, and today it is $751;
S54. 81. or an increase of so per cent.
On January 1, 1900, the total amount
of funds in the city treasury was 10, 4'/,
Of: and on January 1St of this year, there
was on hand exclusive OF any bond
money, SIC, ,652,29, or an increase OF loo
per cent.
Ten wears ago the bonded indebted
ness of the city was $45, 100000, and the
city had nothing TO show for it except
two school houses and forty acres oil
ground in the country for cemetery pur-
poses.
Today its bonded Indebtedness is
SIZE, 900, and it still has the two
houses and forty acres of ground, be
sides an up-to-date sewer system, more
vitrified brick pavement in proportion
TO population than any other city OF
IFS size in Florida, it is the best side
walked city of its size in the entire
south. A fine system of waterworkS,
furnishing water free to the citizens; a
CITY hall and park that cost approximate
" $16, OOO, 90, and today is worth $780,
900, 90. -.
Ten years ago, the various city officers
had two sureties on their bonds, and
there was no system in the accounts.
TODAY the officers are bonded In a
guarantee company, and there is some
system in keeping the city books and
the accounts of the various officers are
audited annually. Furthermore TO safe
guard the peoples money, the city de-
nository giyes bond or collateral Securi-
tv. besides paying interest on its daily
balances, and since September, l9O9,
This interest has amounted TO $576,24.
Up 10 a few years ago the city usually
had no funds on hand by July or August
TO meet current expenses, and had TO
offer discount in order TO collect Suffi-
cient taxes 10 pay off the city employees.
In 1909, the finances of the city were in
such fine condition the council pegan
furnishing water free to its citizens un'
der certain conditions, and last year theS
paid off Sc, 900 of borrowed money, eX,
tended the time for the payment oi
taxes, and a few days ago purchased
81, 900 of paving bonds from the boaro
of bond trustees.
| do not believe that there is another
J city in the South the size of Palatka tha
has a bonded Indebtedness of less thar
10 per cent of its assessed valuation anc
furnishing water free OF charge to III
citizens, and can show as much for theiI
money as Palatka can.
| believe great deal of the improve
l ments, not only in municipal affairs, bu
( among our people, have been brough
about through the activity of this organi
zation, which has worked, and is still