The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1911-04-14
DEVELOPMENT OF
FLORIDA'S EAST COAST.

QOne anu is SUI uOlnS 50 MUCH 10 pro
mote the development of Florida, quite
recently submitted TO an interview in
the Manufacturers Record.
That interview containSlSo much that
is of interest 10 the people of the state,
is so filled with optomiStic prophecy for
the future of Florida and the south that
the News gladly gives it the leading
place in this issue of the paper, trusting
that its readers may in a measure catch
the spirit which animates this great de-
veloper, who at 81 years, is still the
most powerful force in the promotion of
Florida's material welfare:
"The man who bets on the growth of
the United States and keeps his debts
paid will win financial success" is a
statement made by Mr.. Flagler when
asked as to his views on the past and
present business possibilities of the
country.
'In the year in which was born,"
added Mr.. Flagler; ''the United States
had only "A miles of railroad. Today il
has nearly $4,000 miles. The marvel
Gus expansion in railroad development
during my lifetime, as indicated in these
figures, is only typical of the vast expan
sion in every line of human activity
Wonderful, however, as has been the
development of business and amazing as
has been the growth of our country in
the past, the future is destined to show a
still more wonderful expansion. Instead
of our country having attained unto the
zenith of its material progress and pros
perity, as some have assumed, we are
only in the infancy of our growth. The
possibilities of the future far exceed all
that has been achieved.
"Never in human history has there
been such a limitless scope for men of
broad horizon, or energy and well-di-
rected enterprise as there is today, and
the future will continue TO open up TO
coming generations. For the individual
man there is, am sure, broader field
of activity, with greater opportunities
for fame and for fortune than the past
ever afforded TO those who have
achieved success. The limitleSS re-
sources of our country awaiting develop
ment will furnish opportunities for
profitable employment and for the crea-
ton of wealth beyond the dreams of the
most far-Seeing optimiSt of today.
"While the development of the whole
country affords scope for capital and
energy, believe that the resources oil
the south in climate, soil and mineral
advantages, and in geographical position
for commerce, will enable this section
10 create greater business development
and greater wealth than that of the en-
tire country today. My own experience
in the development of the East Coast of
Florida is, believe, typical of the posi-
bilities OF the south. Though thought
] had measured the probable growth of
this section, its advancement has far ex-
Ceeded my anticipatons. Outside of the
great rush into Oklahoma, some II or IS
years ago, and one or two similar move
mentS of population in the history of our
country, nothing like the present move
ment to Florida has ever been known in
the United States.
Two weeks ago the East Coast Rail-
way carried into the Fort Lauderdale
section of southern Florida over 5000
men from the north and west, who went
there 10 select land previously pur-
chased from one of the land companies
operating in that section. There were
Camped on the ground at one time near
ly $500 men, living in tents, arranging
TO secure their allotment under the pur-
chase plan. My advices are that these
men are of the most substantial character
OF Western and Northern farmers and
business men.
The growth of the East Coast which |
is developing much more rapidly than
it has been possible to provide railroad |
facilities for, is indicated in the fact that |
on Sunday night last in distance of 300
miles we had 81 loaded freight trains
going in both directions, and last night
we had on the line 1870 car loads of mis-
CellaneouS merchandise from Jackson
Vile bound down the road TO the Fort
Pierce section. In order TO meet this
rapid growth of business we are now
building 10 miles of Sidings and have
placed an order for Is heavy locomo-
tiveS of the Pacific type Were ii not
Tor the fact that lam now carrying out the
building of 10 miles under contract TO
be completed not later than October,
1872, through the center of the State,
TO the head of Lake Okeechobee, in
addition TO the Key West extension,
would Immediately undertake t h e
which am satisfied must he doro Glib 1tI
the next few Years in order 70 moot ''I thn
rapid expansion of traffic
Coast me is indicatnd 10 tbn t tne las ,LSt
during the fret vel If Nj "a ac' '.l''
mos excendad Tho aornin~s ~ 81 , ,ho earn
UaoI ~ Inrt go VI .,ie Io %
ncr cent. for he Socnn I'd, o ga, ~ Io.i
he incroaSn onor ~ 49, Vi nlaICll
od Of IaSt To o noe , "a ~ per
oT tha Ali 81 10 g. ~ PEI Cen' "a a1 40
ar cant and ,,,o',1d III 50 Sa." was 1V'Io
arror hnt fo o'o mG ;nt;i !aNe oSen much
LII nro ~ '' I' wa ~ ilHnuie me a
'o tho n lon,p,S. " non nave al Wo ok il
:" ny oo ~No,on 10 NeS w GSt over l'7VV
',ar,. "SColulns 20 las, week payroll