The Ocala evening star., 1914-08-17
ANXIOUS FOR
AN EXHIBIT
Fmminent Men Wish to Arouse In
terest of Floridians i'm Panama
Pacific Exposition

snnissioners for Florida for the Pana-
ma-Pacific International Exposition
by Governor Park TrammelI We
are attempting to serve the state to
the best of our ability and without
compensation, in order that she may
be properly represented in this the
greatest of all worlds fairs Since
we have taken up the work we have
discovered that our undertaking is
one Of gigantic proportions. The
cause of the bigness of this under
taking is not because it will require |
the raising of a considerable sum of
money, but because of the immense |
good it will do the citizens of the
commonwealth of Florida. Few
people, We fear, fully realize the
golden opportunity which is being
presented to the tax payers, proper
ty owners and business men of our
state.
This celebration is in honor of the
opening of the Panama canal. This
great work, which is just being COM
pleted by the engineers of the United
States government, is the greatest
work Of it's kind ever undertaken
and completed in the history of the
civilized world. At a cost of $780,
900, 900 the United States govern
ment has served two. continents and
Drought the markets of the growing
nations of South America to our
very door. The fair at San Francis
co will represent an expenditure of
over 5O,000,000. It will cost FIori-
da $4,000 to 100000 to properly
display her products at this great
exposition, therefore, you can easily
see that for a reasonable amount
FLORIDA can take her place among
the states of the Union and with the
nations of the earth in a proposition
representing the vast sum of $780,
100000
South America is today the
worlds last virgin field for COM
merce. There are no new continents
to be discovered. If we are to ex-
pand as our business today demands
we must put our goods before the
buyers of the Latin-American ma
tions. The members of this commits
sion have undertaken this work be-
cause they believe that such an OPP
portunity for the exploiting of Flor
ida and her products, with such as
surances of success, will never pre-
sent itself again.
painstaking study of the entire sit
uation it has been ascertained by
this commission that every product
and every industry of the state of
FLORIDA can be properly exhibited
at this fair. The manufacturers and
growers and all business men of
Florida have an opportunity to win
medals of excellence for their var
ious products at this fair. Regard
less of the industry or products, the
winning of the first prize medal,
which can be used forever after
wards in advertising, will pay for
the additional cost of this exhibit
many times over The commission
has fortified itself with facts and
figures and will be more than willing
TO answer any inquiry you may de-
sire to make in reference to F'lori-
da's participation in this exposition.
We fully realize the potent infiu-
ence of the press in the moulding
of public opinion, and we have conf
dence of your faith in Florida. We
fco1 haf I7rfx m
devote editorial space to the up
building of our glorious common
wealth. We also believe that If
you have given this matter careful
consideration you will join US in
putting Florida in the progressive
We have no ulterior motive in ask
ing your support in this great move
ment. We desire to place everything
before you, we will answer all your
questions, and we have nothing to
hide.
As to the question of finances we
can announce at this time that a
contract has been signed with the
Bon Ray Film Company for the MAX
ing of several thousand feet of film
1t is expected that some S25, 900 will
be realized under this contract The
Florida dollar" is just about ready
for sale, and another SIS, 900 will
come from this source. A booklet ot
Florida is being prepared which will
contain no advertising. In the back
of the book there will be a gazetteer
of Florida business men. The com
mission expects to realize $4,000
from this book. This will tota
$1,000 900. The remainer of the funt
will be taken care of, in a grea