The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-04-05
GETTING TOGETHER

Editor star. The writer Is not a
resident of Ocala, but is acquainted
with number of Your people. and has
a little property in the city. He also
has the good fortune to often see the
Oca1a newspapers and has noted re-
cent discussions of the best way TO
make the city grow and prosper.
A few thoughts are offered on this
subject, with no purpose TO criticize or
stir up controversy. but in the hope
that your thinking and fair minded
citizens may give them some consid-
Grafton.
To begin with, this thing Of getting
together" means something more than
talk. It must be practical, actual,
real Meetings held amid much tobac-
co smoke and enthusiasm, with speech
es and eloquent prophecies of the fu-
ture, are all well enough, but these
viii not win any more than roofing
on the side lines will win on the bat
tlefieId. Getting together is to Danish
suspicion and put aside mean selfish
ness, to help and encourage every bus
! mess and every citizen already here
and TO bring in more. It means putting
your money and your brains, your en-
ergy and your faith all together in one
| big mass, and earnestly and harmon
lious1y working to get substantial
good for the town.
To an outsider it really seems that
there is little loyalty to Ocala among
your people. They seem to be split uI
into warning cliques, and too much
absorbed, each one in his own selfish
Interests. You need an old fashioned
revival. general confession of your
civic shortcomings, with full repent
ance, and honest resolution to get to-
gether and in future stay so. If you dc
mot other towns will soon outstriI
Oca1a.
The Florida town which ignores tbs
advantages of tourists and winter res
ident soutclasses the Biblical foolish
virgin, as a chump. From knowledge
of the whole state, I can say that your
city has natural advantages inferior to
none You have beautiful rolling coun-
try, fine roads, proximity to fishing
and hunting grounds, fine golf links
and in addition a very distinct and
Ireal advantage over any coast resort
in your comparative freedom from fogs
and excessive humidity and in distance
L 1S~oA'
should be to unite for the purpose OF
providing still more hotel room and
other suitable quarters for winter Wis
itors, and then to make an intelligent
campaign to get them here.
| Quit laying your troubles on the
freight rates, or the distance from Sill
yer Springs, or other like causes. Put
the blame on yourselves, just where il
belongs. Atlanta did not whine about
such things, but went to work and
Iovercame them. Sure-e enough getting
together will do it.
If you cannot stop 1T otherwise
muzz1e or gag the sore-heads who have
been advertising publicly that your
drinking water is unwholesome. This
Islander has, 1t seems, never been even
noticed. much less repudiated, by your
city council, Board of Trade or other
public body. AS long as you encourage
or support the traducers of your own
town don't be surprised If strangers
give you a wide berth. How many
visitors and winter residents would
you reasonably expect to come to your
city, when such statements, wholly un-
| founded. are published in your news
papers and without contradiction? II
would indeed be difficult to overesti-
mate the injury your town has already
| suffered from this one cause.
Never allow private interests to re-
| tard your growth and development
Those who have monopolies will natur-
ally try to keep out opposition. Wei
come every honorable business whether
it breaks up some ones little snap
or not. The town, as such, will be
| better for having everybody admitted
with capital and energy to build with
/ Only little villages allow themselv IS
to be run for the sake of the few in
siders. Be a real town-not a back
woods village. ..--~-~-z~-,r
Try a public prescription in aid OF
that~pew nigh school building. How
many will give $1,000. in five annual
linstaIlments, or $500, or 5000. or 500:
Keep it before your citizens, publishing
/ the responses as received. IF it falls
fat, then you will at least know
| whats the matter with ocala."
| Yours in friendship.
Vicinus.
|