The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-02-24
SHALL THE CITY OF OcALA
SURRENDER IT'S STREETS.

II
dinance proposes that the city surren-
der certain of its streets in perpetulty
TO the Atlantic Coast Line. Il will also
be observed that the railroad does not
offer 10 pay the city q cent in return
for the concession.
II Is true that the railroad offers TO
build a large and p-to-date freight
depot, and remove its present frame
shanty out of Oseeola avenue, but why
should it not do this anyhow, and why
should our little city, which with
economy and good management never
has money enough for It's needs, give |
any of It's territory without cent Of
remuneration to a great railway cor
poratfon, whose tracks gridiron half
dozen states. and whose profits every
year more than equal the tax valuation
OF Ocala?
1t is also true that a new depot fs
much needed, and that the old one
should be removed from the street, but
the railroad needs the new structure
for its business more than the city
does, and the old one is where 1T Is
only on sufferance. II your neighbor
proposed to you that he would build
new barn on his own land, provided
you gave him the exclusive use or
road to 1t over your own, the PROPOSE
ton would be just about the same as
the one the Coast Line has made to
Ocala.
The Atlantic Coast Line owns in the
southern end OF the city most of the
ground from South Eighth between
Oseeola avenue and Main street, about
five acres. 1t also owns the old
EIchelberger place south OF South
Eighth street-a tract of about eight
cen acres. thru which there are no
streets.
The railroad yard as now situated in
the northern FIVE acres is right in the
way OF the growth of the city. 1t is
between two sections that on account
of the location of the school houses al
ready have much need of unobstructed
communication, and the need is in
creasing daily. What 1t will be ten,
or I've years from now, is easy TO
imagine To surrender the streets on
any terms would be folly: to surrender
them without pay would be crime.
South Eighth street, well situated,
recently hardened. with new residences
constantly going up, and already
among our most pleasant auto drives,
is a most important thoroughfare If
the railroad yard remains where it is,
II will only be a matter of time before
it has to be heightened to the south,
and then there will be a solid wedge
driven up into one of the best residence
sections of the city.
The proper thing for the railroad to
do is to build its new depot on and to
move its yard to its own land south OF
South Eighth street. If it does this, II
will take a place as a worker for the
Improvement of Ocala and not as a
selfish stumbling block to its progress
It will lose no money by SO doing. II
can sell every foot of ground it now
owns north of South Eighth street for
more than it gave for it in short
time after it takes up its tracks.
1t will be observed that this ordi-
nance was not framed by any member
of the city council It was drawn up
we presume. by the attorney for th'
railroad and brought before the coun
ell by request 1t was turned over t
the Judiciary committee and returned
without recommendation. It will b'
brought before the council some time
when a representative of the railroad
can appear before that body and TT!
to persuade il into its favorable con
sideration. The Star does not thinl
there is any probability Of its passing
the present membership of the council
But the same ordinance, one sim
liar. was presented to the council las
year And very likely the same or
dinance, or one similar, win be pre-
scented when another election changes
the membership OF the council 1t look
like it is the intention of the railroa,
to keep its freight depot and yard il
their present irritating and inconven
lent situation until Ii obtains a council
to it's liking, when it can add to 1t
property by the virtual conhscation o
several streets, which are alread2
worth thousands of dollars. and vii
soon be worth tens of thousands.
The Coast Line may be very sur
that any council that passes such al
ordinance will be pilloried as buncl
OF rascals in public estimation, and
unless the character of the people o
Ocala greatly changes, It's action vii
be headed of and knocked out in tn
courts.
The star does not believe in maxim
war on the railroads. They are anon
the greatest of public necessities, an
the men who own and operate Their
are just as honest as anyone else.
railroad is no more prone to take ad
vantage OF the public than a privat
citizen is to take advantage Of hi
neighbor, but it has a better oppor
tunity Railroads. like other cor
porations. owned and operated b
highly intelligent and enterprisin
men. overlook very few points to thei
own advantage but they make tn
great mistake of thinking it is to thei
interest 10 take as much possiDl
away from the public. 1t is this mis-
taken policy that has caused them
be regarded of late with so much fea
and hostility, and has resulted in $
much anti-railroad legislation, whic
has OF course hurt the public about a
much as the roads. It viii go on how
ever, until the railroads learn thei
lesson, or until the government take
charge OF the railroads, which by n
means to be desired contamination wi
be the ultimate result OF the presen
trend OF events.
The condition of Judge sgd I. Car
ter was unchanged early last nigh
He was slightly better Friday than Q
Thursday, but his illness is of such
nature that little hope is entertainei
Gainesville sun.
The people OF Marion county all re
gret the illness of this veteran lawye
and estimable gentleman.
It rafned in st. Petersburg on Wasf