The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1912-06-28
INTERESTING TRIP OVER CANAL
ROUTE

S~St Seoiy MuHCdSIer OF the OCatd
Board of Trade Accompanies Gov
eminent Officials Don Inspection
Tour-canaI No Longer a Dream
To the Editor Ocala Banner:
| know that several of your read
ers will be interested to know the
outcome of the trip made by the
United States government engineers
through the inland waterways of
FLORIDA, as they are greatly interest
ed in the future work of the govern
men in the trans-Florida canal. Hav-
ing accompanied them through the
entire trip / feel that I am in a posi-
ton to not only tell you the result of
their trip but to explain to your read
ers the enthusiasm that was display
ed by the various boards of trade in
the several towns that we visited it
will be necessary TO go into details of
the trip which We took in making a
survey of the contemplated work.
After the meeting of the board of
trade of Ocala on Wednesday night
We took an automobile and journeyed
to Leesburg. We had been informed
by the mayor of Leesburg that they
would meet US at the Lake county
line, and after seeming the condition
of the Marion county road between
the sister cities we readily under
stood why they did not come further.
In passing l will state that the only
unpleasant feeling that I experienced
on the entire trip was when the Lees
burg citizens told us of the unbroken
promise of Marion county to meet
the hard road CT Lake county with
one of similar construction. They as
sured me that before they built their
hard road to the Marion county line
they were reliably informed that Ma
rion county would do the same and
meet their hard road at their county
line, but | regret to say that up to
the present time we have not done
our part in this direction. The citi-
zens of Lake county have erected
post stating that the traveller has now
left Lake county and entered into
Marion county at the dividing line,
and I feel that they are justified. Lake
county at a considerable expense to
herself built a road that she reasbna-
bly, expected would give her a hard
road to Ocala, and instead it leads to
one of the worst stretches of sand
road that is to be found anywhere.
Notwithstanding the fact that | was
subjected to more or less criticism
on account of our failure to carry out
our part of the contract the board of
trade of Leesburg extended us the
hand of welcome and made us all feel
that they were glad to see us. They
met us in several automobiles and es-
corted Us to their city and gave us
a royal welcome. Mr.. E. Fl. Mote, for
merly OF Ocala, was one of those that
made us feel at home and he some
what defended Marion county in her
failure to meet the Lake county road
and gave the members of the board
OF trade that we would carry out our
part of the contract-in time.
The Leesburg board of trade ar
ranged to take us over Lake Harris
and through the Dead river in mag
nificently equipped gasolene launch
to the city of Eustis, and while the
original plan of the engineers did not
include such an extensive trip they
could not refuse when they were ap-
praised of the extensive arrange
ments that were made for their re-
ception. The city of Eustis excelled
herself in the way of entertainment.
The members of the board of trade
greeted us upon our arrival, and they
were filled with enthusiasm and in
formation on matters that the engi-
neers were greatly interested in.
They had data prepared such as is
wanted by the United States govern
ment, and proved conclusively that
they were not only in favor of the
movement, but that it would be a
paying proposition to the government
to make the expenditures asked for.
After entertaining us most royalty
at dinner they took us through the
canal, that has been built at the ex-
pense of individuals from Lake Eus-
It's to Lake Dora and to the city, of
Tavares.
The Tavares board of trade showed
their spirit of cooperation also and
assured us that We could count on
their hearty cooperation for anything
that would tend towards making the
ship canal across Florida a realiza-