The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-12-10

ployed in operating these farms was
81, 1853. 600, but in 1910 it was $5,313,000
showing an increase of $3,S45,000 or
262 per cent. 4
Just here we venture to suggest that
the above facts are worthy of con-
sideration by every citizen of this
state, and especially by those who at
some future time expect or intend to
become either residents or investors in
Florida.
Capital in Home Enterprises.
To our mind these facts demonstrate
with positive certainty the increasing
progress of the state. There are also
some hitherto unusual reasons for this
continuous accelerated growth, prin-
cipaI among which is the spirit of de-
velopment by home capital of home
people, who are withdrawing their
surplus funds from outside invest
ments and placing them in home en-
terprises of various kinds. Nor are
these investments confined to narrow
or limited lines.
A study of the situation will con-
vince the close observer that this sur
plus capital is being distributed
throughout practically every field
where industry and human effort offer
profitable returns on investments. This
condition is especially noticeable in the
continual increasing number of banks
state; also of the establishment of
home insurance companies, both fire
and life.
Usually the establishment of these
institutions attracts little or at most a
passing interest, but upon reflection
the observant man recognizes in them
their most potent power for good, in
that the vast sums sent out of the
state annually to pay the premiums or
cost for property and life protection
can be kept at home, becomes an ac-
tive force and influence and part Of the
circulating medium of the country
Thus the retention of these vast sums
of money within the state for use in
building up our agricultural, CONNER
cial and industrial institutions will
become blessing and save the neces-
sity of borrowing millions for our bust
ness and thus enriching others need
lessly.
If our latent resources are developed
for our interest, it must be by our own
efforts with home capital. In the esta.-
lishment of the institutions referred to
our state has taken long step for
ward.
Establish Manufactures.
Another power for upbuilding our
state, which is universally admitted
but not appreciated as it should be, is
the establishment of manufactures
not necessarily of great size and CAPT
tai. but of moderate size and capital
Aside from agriculture, the establish
ment and capacity as above suggested
are and will continue to be productive
of greater good to the state than al
most anything else.
Unquestionably it is through the de-
velopment of such enterprises that our
commerce will be built up and MAIN
tanned. Our success so far has been
most remarkable yet we are just en-
tering the beginning of an industrial
era, the magnitude. of which cannot be
foretold, and beside which the past will
be as nothing. -
We cannot expect to attain the full
development of our resources unless
our home people put their own capt.
tai into the business. . That they are
as before stated doing. so to a far
greater degree than ever before is
true. but plenty of it yet remains I'M
available.
Good Roads Sentiment.
Another instance of the general
awakening and progress in interior de-
velopment, is the widespread interest
in the construction of good roads. The
fact that the several counties of Flor
ida have in the past year expended
more than S1,5o0,0o0 in road con-.
'structfon, though pretty generally
hnoWn, Is not appreciated TO Lnes e&-
tent that II should be, for as a mat
ter of fact, it is one of the most i'm
portant and certain indications Of the
great spirit of progress that is
spreading itself with an irresistible
force throughout every neighborhood
and hamlet in the state.
When We consider the momentous
Importance of the matters discussed
herein and their relation to the welfare
of our state and the south as WELL the
conclusion is irresistible that the south
is the best country in America for the
agriculturist, the fruit grower, the
truck farmer, the live stock grower,
the investor the manufacturer and