The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1913-04-30

scarcity of ready money, command
high rate of interest.
1T is true that the prosperity our
growers enjoy enables them to meet
these interest charges without discom-
fort, but they are slowly awakening
to the fact that even half of their pro-
auctions in insurance premiums in
vested in developing home lands would
enhance the value of every acre in
Florida. There are vast tracts of good
arabic soil In this state that are now
wild lands, but could be developed by
comparatively small outlay Of capital,
and it is a safe estimate to say that
our insurance premiums for six months
would open a section to settlers half
as large as any one of many Of the
eastern states. and capable of support
ing a population of hundreds of thou
sands"
| Now, after reading this, could any
twelve year-oId school boy be in
doubt as to who is impairing our
credit Now, no one is tied to this
state, and any one that chooses may
seek new pasture and browse around
without our objections. They have
! told me It drove this class of tnsur-
ance agents, men and companies, out
of Texas. Well, all I have to say IS
| that it looks like we got a good share
of the crop, and we intend to chase
them, SO they say, by House Bill No.
3'-Lucky number-for this state and
her people.
Now, Gentlemen OF the Board Of
Trade I propose to make this an open
letter, as time will not permit a delay,
and the whole future of the state is
at stake; but I ask your immediate
endorsement, and expect to get it,
knowing your body is for every move
ment for the uplifting of our great
state and against oppression.
Texas has had this bill, House bill
No 81 in force for seven years and
it has reduced the cost of living in
Texas twenty-five per cent; cleared
the state Of all wild cat and irespon-
Sible companies, and grating agents.
In conclusion will say that I visited
nearly every one of your business
men in Jacksonville and without an
exception they heartily endorsed this
bill.
had the signatures Of over TWEEN
| ty thousand of the voters of this
! state asking that this bill be passed
House Bill No. 81 At the request
Of a great many of your members [
was induced to go to your Office and
see your Honorable Secretary, Mr..
Richardson, who assured me of CO.
ica1 moment to cooperate.
The eyes of the people of Florida
are on this House Bill No. So 1t is
up to you as a board, and every hon
est man to support it. House Bill
No. 81 means relief to the people of
Florida from the high rates of fire
Insurance any action against it means
to make a few agents and the trusts
rich at the expense of the people.
That Free Masonry that exists
among all enemies to just legislation
for the benefit of the people as a
whole is now in evidence, and unless
the people arouse themselves through
out the state, write and telegraph
their senators to support this bill the
trust and its lobbyists now in ITALIA
hassee may be able to defeat it and
thus place the people for two more
years, till the session meets again, at
the tender mercy Of the fire insur-
ance trust.
Respectfully,
JNO. A. VAN VALZAH.
P. 81 am sending you the en-
dorsement of the Retail Dealers Asso-
citation of Tampa, Fla.