The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1913-04-18
THE GOVERNMENT ENGINEERS
And the OklaWaha and WithIacoochee
Rivers Improvement

MYERS Improvement
The number of Ocala citizens who
met the government engineers at
Tampa and again at Leesburg shows
the interest that is manifested by our
city in the proposed Improvement of
t Oklawaha and Withlacoochee riv-
er
Mayor Robertson, Mr.. z. c. Cham
bliss and Mr. j. D. Rooney attended
the session Of the engineers at Tampa
and Judge W. S. Bullock, Mr. I. s.
Kyle and Mr.. J. D. Rooney attended
the session of the engineers held at
Leesburg.
The visiting delegates were taken
by train to the boat landing, thence
across the lake to Tavares, Mount
Dora and Eustis, thence to Mayor
Notes grove, where they were de-
lightfully entertained at Comfort
Cottage the name of Mr.. Notes cot
tage in his orange grove.
AT Tavares. Eustis and Mount Dora
they were joined by a number of del
egates. Before getting down to the
business in hand Mayor Mote spread
sumptuous luncheon, which was
most creditable. both in point of sub
stantials, delicacies and manner of
service.
After luncheon, Colonel Lankfort
chairman of the special board of
United States engineers making the
Investigations, stated the object of
the session. Mr. Lawrence DoZier of
Leesburg very ably presented the in
terest Leesburg had in the improve
ment OF the Oklawaha river and the
lakes From the data he presented
it was shown that the total tonnage
of two railroads, one navigation com
pany and one express company at
Leesburg amounted to nearly seven
ty-one million pounds.
The total revenue for the two rail
roads at that place was $102, 596.25,
not including passenger traffic.
The revenue of the express com
pany and the navigation company
was not shown.
There has been 144.S5G boxes Of or
anges shipped from there over the
two railroads alone This does not
include the navigation and express
companies.
The two railroads have moved 219
solid carloads of melons.
The representation of other towns
and boards of trade followed. From
the showing made by I.eesburg, Eus
It's, Mount Dora. Tavares and other
towns bordering the inland lakes, We
feel sure that an impression was
made on the board OF engineers that
the sentiment for the proposed i'm
provement was backed by the strong
est sentiment and best interests oil
all the localities named.
Mr.. ]. D. Rooney, secretary Of the
Ocala board Of trade, being called on
stated that the shOrtness of the no
tice caught him Lnprepared to fur
nish the board with the statistical in
formation that he felt sure would be
helpful to them in reaching a favora
Bile conclusion, but that he would IN
dertake to collect it and forward same
to them at Washington.
Judge Bullock, in a short talk, nail
ed the fact home OF the growing i'm
portance of the work
1t is now up to every business in
terest in Ocala and throughout the
county to respond quickly and aid in
the preparation of these statistics, as
we'll as that of every farmer who is
vitality interested in any project look
ing to lettering market conditions, a.
we'll as re-adjustment Of freight rates
Let all get busy Earnest effort and
hearty cooperation will enable Sec
rotary Rooney to accomplish results
Leaving Mayor Notes place the
visiting delegates and engineers re
embarked for a trip down the river
to Kyle and Young's property, making
a short stop and taking a quick look
at its wonderful possibilities, They
were met there by Mayor Robertson
in Mr.. Chambliss car. Mr.. Kyles. and
one used to take care of Judge Bull
lock and the secretary, and reached
Ocala at p. m.
A meeting was held in this city at
p M, at which a strong presenta-
ton of the Withlacoochee project as
presented in well prepared state
ment by Mr.. J. d. Robertson, read by
Secretary Rooney. together with sew
eral other strong letters, of facts
The following gentlemen were pres
ent to present their data and schemes
in connection with this same project
r. f. Van Ness, z. c. May, fernando; |
r. /. Turner. G. w. ScOfield. liver. !