The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1914-09-11
ALONG THE LINES or PHiLAN-
THROPY AND HUMAN!TA-
RiANlSM

For few months at least the peo-
pie of this county will be confronted
with very serious problem.
In the language of Grover Cleve-
land. We are up against "a condition.
not theory"
A large number of phosphate mines
have closed down, and more are to
follow; the turpentine camps must
soon be abandoned, and now it is
feared that a large number of our
sawmills will be compelled to sys-
pend operations.
Perhaps it were needless to say
that these industries have all been
crippled by the war now raging in Eu-
rope.
Parenthetically it may here be stat
ed that had not the war broken out
just when it did it is probable that we
never would have been brought face
| to face with the tremendous fact of
how closely the whole world is core
lated-like the warp and wool in WOW
en- cloth.
The closing of our mines and the
! Gripping of some of our other indus
tries come upon us at time when we
are the least able to stand the strain,
as we have just passed through the
shortest crop year within a genera
ton. n'NM7
The solving of the problems that
confront us needs immediate and in
telligent action.
We must face the fact that a large
number of willing laborers have, by
no fault of their own, been suddenly
thrown out of employment, and as the
victims of circumstances they find
themselves without food, and in some
instances without shelter.
The negro, as rule, is a strong, ro-
bust, splendid laborer, but is not not
ed for his frugality nor thriftiness, so
far as his own economics are con
cerned.
Booker Washington we'll says that
he is a good spender, the best in the
Who'll eworld for his means. He is the
one race of the world that lives for to-
day. He takes but little thought of
the morrow.
1t were ascribing to him more vir-
tues than any race possesses to be-
lieve that he would starve, and permit
his wife and children to starve, rath-
er than to steal.
To prevent him committing depre-
dations upon his neighbors he must
be cared for-some means must be
provided to secure him work.
Humane, philanthropic, intelligent
efforts may turn our present disaster
into real public benefaction.
Under the stress of dire circum-
stances the negro out of employment
will work for a considerable less con-
sideration than when times are pros
porous and labor is very much in de-
mand.
We need good roads. 1t is conceded
that they are public necessity.
Then let us build them now, while
labor is cheap, and when the EMPLOY
ment of the same would unquestion-
ably be along the lines of philanthro-
jy and humanitarianism.
Mr.. Walter Ray suggests that we go
Immediately into the construction of
good roads. Employ competent men
men who know how to build good
roads and who know how to handle
negro labor-and we would not only
have the satisfaction of possessing
good roads but could have two miles
almost at the cost of one. And under
present pressing conditions it would
be as much of benefaction as the
one who made two blades of grass
grow where only one grew oefore.
1t would put bread into the mouths
of the hungry, and would prevent de-
predations.
Mr.. Ray suggests that the board of
county commissioners begin work at
once and issue script in payment of
the same.
Mr.. Ray has already interviewed
the merchants and bankers as to this
proposition, and they have agreed, as
we understand it, to take this script
at face value in trade at their stores,
and the banks have agreed to receive
the same on deposits as cash.
Now, if it will be agreed to receive
the same in payment of city and coun-
ty taxes, this script can soon be re-
tired Mr.. Ray himself guarantees
to retire as much as fifty thousand
dollars worth of it by the first of Jan.
uary.