The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-10-12
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bSELF-coNFEssED scoUNDRELS
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For some time we have had on our
desk copy of an attack on Florida
written by Frank L. Barber Of Water
town, ~. Y, and published in Farm
and Ftreside. While we were delaying
reply to the article in question, w.
B. Powell, Of the Tampa Board of
Trade shows Barber and his motives
up in the article published below:
The press of the state of Florida has
had much to say concerning an illus
trated article on Florida which ap-
peared in the Farm and Preside Of
Aug. 10, 1911. This is q reputable farm
paper Of wide circulation and the pub
LEGATION Of the article has done ines
Unable damage to the state Of Florida
as whole. The article wac written
by Frank l.. Barber, of WATERFOWL
N. Y, who has had accepted similar
articles by papers IN Syracuse and
Utica, and who for the past two years
has written volumes to land COM
psnies, and business men of Tampa
His latest is a letter wherein he brags
about receiving the munificent sum of
SIC from Farm and Flreside for an
article which has cost the state many
thousands of dollars.
The following letter shows that
Barber is a scoundrel of the most
malignant type. and the pity of it that
there are newspapers so anxious to
do Florida an injury that they accept
his writings:
WATERFOWL. N. Y, Sept. IA, 1910.
Mr.. w. B. Powell, Secretary Board of
Trade, Tampa Fla:
Since my writings in regard to the
drawbacks of Florida were published
In northern papers, I have wished to
explain matters to you as it may be
Of interest to US both. I am expecting
to return to Florida soon, but not for
the purpose of showing up the bad
side of that state. and If you or the
land companies can make It an object
for me. will write UP the bright side
Of Florida for northern papers and do
all in my power to undo the harm
caused by my previous writings
also wish to explain that l was
hired to write about the drawbacks Of
the state, but will not divulge the
name of the person that engaged my
services. But 1 Will tell you this
much. 1t was a person who purchased
some land In Florida and bought a
pig In a bag" according to an old
saying, and knowing that I was a
newspaper correspondent he engaged
me to even up matters for him. have
have been all over your state and
know conditions there pretty well,
consequently was sought out by the
above mentioned party to square
this that did not tell the truth in de-
scrthing Florida's drawbacks, as I be-
heve 1 did, still 1t must be admitted
that person can tell very bad story
about conditions In any state and vet
be telling the truth. don't deny that
have done your state some harm
although You may claim otherwise, as
can forward you letters from pros
pective settlers in Florida who failed
to locate there after reading my let
tiers published in the Utica Saturday
Globe, Syracuse Herald and other pa
pers. and thanking me for my efforts
in showing UP tho dark side of Flor
Ida Still ] readily see that I was not
fully paid for my services as my name
has been sent out broadcast over your
state by the Florida press as an enemy
to your state, which did not reckon
with in the start. have nothing
against Florida in particular, but
made the great mistake in selling OUT
but the money will buy most an thing
in this age, and / was no exception
to the rule. II has learned me a lesson
/ will also admit. and hereafter will
boost instead Of knocking no matter
where turn up, I believe it is the best
policy.
Now I propose to return to Florida
soon If the coast is clear, and if you
or the land companies have any use
for my service in any way to pay
my expenses, ETC., I will write from
Tampa, Fla, to the Utica Saturday
Globe and other papers exposing the
reasons for Knocking Florida and pic
ture the bright side of that state in
glowing terms. can make just as
good hit In eyes Of the people in
describing the beauties of your state,
but ii is worth something to dot il. I
desire to locate permanently In Flor
ida and hope you will regard me some
day as one of the greatest boosters Of
the age and well worthy Of notice.
Furthermore I wish TO state that IN
der no condition would I have shown
up Flor1da's drawbacks unless as a
Paid correspondent, as il required hours
OF my time in writing to the papers
and in answering letters from people
interested IN Florida. What sort of
inducements can you offer me to make
good, as I mean business, and this is