The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-02-07
WHERE THEY WILL co.


According TO the Tampa Times, the
big men in the citrus growing indus
try in this state" are "exasperated 10
the point OF party population by the
cavalier treatm they received at the
hands Of the ways and means commit
tee in Washington recently. The board
OF directors of the Florida Citrus Ex
change, the controlling factor in the
citrus business of this state, in meet
ing yesterday afternoon, adopted res
olutions which pledge the growers Of
this state to leave the democratic
party IL ii cannot maintain the protec-
ton the citrus products have hitherto
had. They also pledge the growers of
this state to vote against any Florida
congressman or senator who votes
against giving the citrus industry pro-
lection, but it is hardly likely that any
Florida representative will take such
course. The resolutions were adopted
at a full meeting Of the board of direc
tors. including men from all sections
and some of the biggest men in the in
dustry in this state
The board of directors was fully
cognizant OF the gravity of its course.
1t considered the matter very carefully
before taking action. It's action was
no doubt crystalhzed by the treatment
men like L B. Skinner of Dunedin. J.
c. Chase of Jacksonville and w. c.
Temple of this city got at the ways
and means committee hearing. Mr..
Skinner was so bedeyiIed with pa1pa-
bly, light and foolish questions from
the moment he was given the floor that
he did not get chance to present the
argument he had prepared.
So indignant was Mr.. Temple of
taking the floor that he reminded the
committee of the folly of such actions
Saying first that he had cast his first
vote for Cleveland and his latest for
Wilson he remarked that he was re-
minded by the actions of the commit
tee Of "the occasion when Nero fiddled
and Rome burned"
The committee did not attempt the
same light hearted comedy with him
that they tried on Skinner.
I'VE are all good democrats said
Temple in discussing today the action
OF the exchange yesterday, but this
business is not a joke with us.
Our money is tied up in this indus
try and we do not feel that we should
be treated lightly when we appear be-
fore a committee which is supposed to
be formed to give US a respectful
hearing.
I'VE made the showing that we
were entitled to protection equal to
the difference between the cost of pro-
ductiOn here and abroad, and Chair
man Underwood has said that such
protection would be granted, yet the
committee of which he is in charge
treats this industry as if it were a
joke"
The citrus industry of Florida and
California deserves all the protection
that can consistently be given it, and
If any members of the ways and means
committee treated Mr. Skinner flip
PANTY. they acted most unworthily
Perhaps, tho. Mr.. Skinner misunder-
stood them.
1t is rather ridiculous, however, fol
the citrus growers to threaten tC
secede from the democratic party II
their industry does not receive all the
protection they want. The allegiance
OF the average Florida, democrat to hi.
party Is based on something worth
more to him than dollars and cents
and IL all the big men in the indus.
try" left the party they would no
carry enough votes to make them O.
any great value to any other party. Blu
all the big men in the citrus industr!
are not going to become republicans o.
Teddyites, no matter if all protection 4
taken off oranges and grapefruit No
half OF them, IL so many.
A Star reporter was talking with
"bIg man in the citrus industry" thu
other day. He said he didn't thinl
the tariff on oranges should be reduc
ed; that there were a thousand thing
on which a low tariff would be NOR
helpful to the people. But" he said
eff the tarif is reduced, l am not go
ing to make any fuss about it. 1 cal
stand it If the others can"
His view Of the matter is the on
that viii be taken by a vast majorit,
of the orange growers, big and little
Floridians have nothing to hope 70
from any but the democratic party. l
is going to make some mistakes, an
it is the duty of democrats to sta,
with it and help rectify the mistakes
Those who do the baby act before tn
game is fairly commenced, only max
themselves ridiculous. The Star think
Mr.. Temple and his business friend
are unduly excited anyhow. When tn
work OF remaking the tariff has fairl,
begun. It is more than likely that on
senators and congressman will be abb
TO retain a Just amount of duty TIL
Star would advise the citrus grower
not to tear their hair or their shirt
yet awhile.