The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1914-10-26

here. and the enc we have will be
constantly harassed by the prospect
Of an opposition, which not being
obliged TO make a living. can put
prices Down any time a majority OF
the council sees fit. Could we ex-
pect any business to thrive under
such conditions?
What private citizen would APP
prove of the city setting mp a bust
ness that would compete with his
business, and could stunt or kill it
any time he became obnoxious to
majority of the city council?
Why should the ice factory be
picked out for competition. Ice is
no more a public utility than meat.
bread or clothes. You can buy more
ice for nickel or dollar in Ocala
today than you could buy for the
same money twenty years ago. But
-four costs more, meat costs Itwice
as much, and clothing and shoes cost
more. Why shouldn't the city set up
a bakery. a butcher shop or a cIoth-
ing store?
Kerosene and gasoline are about
as much a public a1tility as ice, and
they both cost more than they did
twenty-five years ago. Why shouldn't
the city establish a gasoline station
for the benefit of our impoverished
autoists?
Does anybody suppose that item
would have been tackled on to the or
dinance if any man interested in an
ice factory had been on the council
There lis something funny about
this ice factory item. Three of the
councilmen have informed the
Star that, if bonds carry, it Will take
heh entire $55, 900 ito improve the
waterworks plant, and they do not
favor a municipal ice plant anyhow
Yet we know number of people
who are going ito vote for bonds
more in hope of obtaining cheaper
ice than for amy other reason.
Amy property holder may he GER
tain that if the city ice plant is
started and he obtains ice at very
low rate, he will have to pay for it
ia taxation. The only people who
Will be benefited will be those who
have no taxes ito pay.
A few months ago, the city cleo
trio plant was selling bulbs and other
supplies at a very low rate. The
electricians of the city complained,
and THE practice was stopped. The
Star Thought this was just and APP
proved it, bhomgh i'm obtaining cleo
tric light bulbs from the city plant
it saved considerable money. Is 1t
any more fair for the city to hurt the
business of the Ocala Ice & Packing
Company than it is to hurt the bust
ness of Mr.. Tucker or MIR. Bennett?
The case of Fernandina, (which is
made so much of. is not parallel to
that of Ocaila Fernandina was
threatened with the advent of for
eign corporation that would have
gouged the people. Ocaaa lis ASK
ed ITO hurt the business of a home
company, (which is selling ice at a
reasonable rate.
las for the election of Wednesday
for improving the electric light
plant, it is hardly worth while TO
argue about it. Everybody we have
spoken to on THE subject wants the
electric light plant put in the best
possible condition.
A STRONG argument for bonds Is
THAT now is the best time to issue
them. for NOW is the time of al
times that we need ito have some
thing doing in our town; that the
work will bring in people, turn mon
ey Goose and stimulate things gene
rally. Our neighboring cities of Bar
tow. Orlando and Lakeland are
held UP ITO nus as models, and OIL
lack of enterprise in comparison i:
commented on mournfully.
All opposed ito bonds say THE pro
posed issue is too large i'm proper
Hion TO our resources, and ever
those who would GLADLY vote for ;