The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1913-10-16
have been very liberal estimate of
the capital involved.

But, do not think for a moment
that this enormous asset represented
chiefly by their large fleet of SPLEEN
did new. modern vessels making
their home ports at New York, Bos-
ton, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Mobile
and other smaller ports-together
with other physical property in this
country, constitutes the chief back
bone Of the company. John Keith,
who from humble beginning as a
clerk in the Boston Offices in State
street, rose step by step to domi-
nant position in the company, be-
coming in the end the chief factor
OF the enterprise, assumed personal
charge of the company's interests in
the Central American countries; no.
tably IN Spanish Honduras and Cos
ia Rica, where his name today is
mighty, and at once inaugurated
policy OF propagation of the fruit
along systematic and scientific lines.
1t was the experience of Florida and
her oranges repeated in those parts
with the banana. The acquisition of
enormous tracts of lands which for
merly had lain neglected and con-
sidered worthless; the clearing of
them and their sanitation; the build
ing of residential quarters for differ
ent employees; narrow gauge rail-
roads that not only discharge the
necessity of hauling the fruit to tide
water, but as well give first class
passenger service hitherto unknown
in those parts. all attest to the char
acter of the work accomplished in
comparatively few years by this
great organizer. Moreover, the
work Of this man has even trans
cended the results aimed at in the
original programme. His has been.
not only propaganda for turning a
neglected opportunity INTO a source
of wealth, but as well as one of edu-
cation to the natives. 1t is statisti-
cal fact that since the advent of this
enterprise into those countries their
governments have enjoyed greater
peace and security, and have tasted
of prosperity undreamed of in their
former history. The wonderful re-
suits obtained along these lines IN
the countries already mentioned
were but the precursors of what has
happened in Jamaica and Cuba; two
regions of the banana growing zone
which fora while held out against
the invasion, and with primitive
methods strived to hold their own
against the octupus Of the north.
While this very active propaganda
of cultivation has been occupying the
efforts of the large army of employ
ees in the tropics, no less attention
has been given to the building up Of
the market to observe the tremend-
GUS output. Many of you who have
barely reached your thirties recall
the days when the bright yellow
painted cars bearing the legend
United Fruit Transportation Com
pany" were unknown. Today. solid
trains of these cars are backed up at
the foot of the conveyors which with
in a couple of hours empty a six OF
seven thousand ton steamer of it's
load of fruit, and off they rush at
express speed to the appointed ter
ritory of distribution, under the
watchful care of special messengers
who see to it that the right temper
allure is maintained in the cars in
surfing the conservation of the fruit.
The item of loss in transportation
both by land and sea bas been elimi-
mated by the introduction of perfect
systems of refrigeration, and the
fruit is today placed In the hands of
the consumer in as perfect a condi-
ton as if eaten at the foot of the
tree.
To grasp in measure the impor-
lance Of this industry you should,
say while in Chicago, make it
point to visit the fruit commission
district in south Water St., and be
conducted through some of the huge
banana cellars where the half ripen-
ed fruit is stored upon it's receipt
from the cars, and gradually forced
into ripeness by forced tempera-
ture obtained from wood fires.
Again, if you should be in New Or
leans, make it also a point to visit
the dlscharging piers of the United
Fruit Steamship Company and OBJ