The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1913-04-11
BOARD OF
TRADE Meeting.

regular meeting, Monday night last Ii
the rooms on South Second street
About fifteen members were present
and discussed questions of interest.
After the reading of the minutes
letter was read by the secretary
from the Georgia Southern and Flor
ida railway, saying they were doing
all they could to beautify their lot OF
South Second street at the rear of tbs
Presbyterian church.
A letter from the East Coast rail
way was also read. They are willing
to give substantial remuneration oil
prize to anyone who can suggest
way to handle the immense traffic
which, just now, they are unable t.
cope with.
The State chamber of commerce OF
Jacksonville wrote asking the Palatka
board of trade to consider and discuss
the question of levying a tax not to
exceed two mills on all municipalities
of the state. The revenue from this
tax would be used in preparing and
distributing literature advertising
each section of the state. A bill To
this effect will be presented at the
present Legislature and a motion pre-
vailed that the secretary write the
representatives for Putnam county,
asking them to support the measure.
They will also be asked to support a
bill asking for an appropriation TO
pay expenses of delegates from Flor
ida to Europe to study the agricultu-
raj question.
A communication from the South
Eastern Underwriters association was
read, stating that if Palatka would
purchase a good fire truck or engine
and employ competent man to take
charge of same, they would reduce
the deficiency clause, which would
give 80 cents on the $1,000 reduction
of mercantile rate.
Capt A. B. Dunning of DeLand,
secretary of the Good Roads associa-
tion and also a member of the Palatka
board of trade, was present and ad-
dressed the board. He advocated the
establishment of a state highway
commission without compensation,
which would act as an advisory board
to the county commissioners. This
commission would also have power to
appoint a state good roads engineer
at an approximate salary of $1,000 a
year. This engineer would be at the
service of any county which might
desire his services, without cost. The
highway commission would not be
disposed to interfere with county COM
missioners' affairs, but would see
that the peoples money was being
spent judiciously
Florida is behind every other state
in the Union in the matter of good
roads, and though large amount Of
money is being spent annually on our
roads, in most cases, no results have
been obtained at all on account of
lack of ability of those in charge. A
motion was carried endorsing the
proposition. A bill for the appoint
ment of this commission will be pre-
sented to the legislature now in ses-
sion.
The question of a better mail ser
vice was taken up. At present there
are only two deliveries and collections
a day in the city, and it was thought
We were entitled to a better service.
If the merchants could only beinduceo
to have their mail delivered by the
carriers, then a delivery would be
made four times a day within the
business district.
A motion was passed asking tn
Times Union to raise the salary Of
their Palatka correspondent to $25 a
month, thereby receiving a more ad-
equate service.
A committee was appointed to ar
range for a Fourth of July celebra-
ton.
j. C. Sellers of jacksonville, edaor
and proprietor of "Men and Business, "
was heard from. Although he was
asking nothing just now, he may call
on the board later for an appropria-
ton for the purpose of advertising
Palatka. In the meantime he was
boosting every place in the state that
is worthy, which is the purpose oil
his paper. In the course of his re-
marks he said: "F'lorida is the great,
est asset the nation has, and unlimit,
ed capital is ready to be spent here
when it can be shown where and how
best to spend il"