The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1914-09-21
WHAT'S WHAT IN WASHINGTON

Secretary Rooney OF the Marion !
County Board of Trade returned sun
day from Washington, where he
spent a busy four days in behalf Of
Withlacoochee and Oklawaha i'm
Mr.. Rooney received cordial help
from the Florida delegation in SEN
ate and House, particularly from
Clark, who personally
conducted him to the people most
necessary TO see on his mission.
The congressman and the secre-
tary went before the board OF en-
gineers. Mr.. Rooney presented data
regarding the Withlacoochee, in
Guiding many important statistics
furnished by Mayor Robertson of the
possibilities of the stream, of the
feasibility of a canal plan, and Major
Slattery's opinion of the head of wa
ter to be obtained by dam at
Stokes ferry. MIR. Rooney showed
what had been done ON the Withla-
coochee, and what great thing it
would be if phosphate could be car
ried in barges direct from the mines
along the river to the steamers at
Port Inglis, instead of being shipped
on railway cars and transhipped to
barges as at present. He also show
ed forth how THE west coast COM
merce co I'd come to Dunnellon and
thence by electric lines to Ocala and
Gainesville, where it belongs instead
of to Jacksonville, where most of it
goes. He told of the big power plant
of the Camps on the Withlacoochee,
and their ability to build electric
lines as soon as they saw in sight the
business to justify them in doing so.
He proved his case and under aus
picious circumstances would have OBJ
tanned verdict.
Mr.. Clark and Mr. Rooney found
the memters of the board of en-
gineers well affected toward the i'm
provement, but discouraged and
lsscmewhat angry at the manner in
which their recommendations had
been treated for political reasons by
lot of cheap statesmen in the Sen
ate and House, the inference of these
statesmen being that the engineer:
had virtually sold their influence
which is a most undeserved Islander
on one of the most skillful and con
scientious bodies of men in thu
world-the men who cut the Panam;
canal without any graft; something
meyer equaled in the history of th'
| world. The engineers have mad
their investigations skillfully an'
their estimates conscientiously, bu
of course unless Congress approve
they can do no more.
/ Mr.. Clark took Mr.. Rooney to Sc
the FLORIDA senators, who advises
them not to try to do anything NOR
at this time. The work of plannfni
for improvement VIII not be throw'
, away. 1t can all be used for TIL
! next river and harbor bill, whic
. will come before the next Congress:
and have a better chance of success
The strongest influence againS
t the bill is that of the president. 'Mu
! Wilson wants the bill cut to the low
!, est possible amount. He has state:
) manlike reasons for this-4he want
= the expense of the governmer
: brought ITO the minimum, and think
IL of course that Florida can do he
e share of self-sacrifice. He has M
] denied the necessity for the work, {
made aspersions on those who al
$ Itrying to have it done. He is entir'
!. lily apart from the cheap politician
f lmost of who are from sections tn;
s have 6attened on government grad
v and now try to prevent sections tn
need Improvement from obtainiI
merited help.
- Mr. Clark introduced Mr.. Rooms
= to a number of the most promine
. lpublic men, and added his own tie
. tfmony to that of the secretary
= claiming Improvement for the Ok
4 wa11a, showing beyond dispute d
: Importance of the stream and q
traffic lit is able to bear, and how q
- Ipeople. while hoping for and nee
- ing government help, are goi
ahead themselves, as proven by I