The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-04-15
BOARD Of TRADE !. 3
TO ENTER ON
BIG CAMPAIGN
~ INCREASE ITS EFFICIENCY
AND WIDEN ITS SCOPE; me-
1 IA1aS TO BE ANNOUNCED

An extensive movement to widen
me scope OF the Board of Trade and
increase its efficiency, preparatory to
general community advancement
was announced today by the Board
Vi overnors. A committee. COM
posed OF President G. E. Southland
secretary A. j. Holworthy and
mayor .. M. Eaton will, during
'his movement. be in touch with the
executive force and staff of CONNER
eial organization workers employed
10 make an industrial and trade sur
Vey OF Lakeland, and recommend the
pest there is in commercial organi-
zatlon activity.
me Board of Trade will, accord
ing to the announcement, endeavor
10 make itself one of the strongest
organizations in this part Of the
country by trying to combine al,
business, mercantile, manufacturing
and professional interests in the
city INTO the Board, and give the
various classes, such as the retail
merchants, the freedom necessary to
carry on activities for Their OWN
benefit. Whenever practical, enand
when desired. the whole power of
the organization will be given I'd
these various activities.
me further purpose of the move
ment, according to the announce
ment is as follows: The movement
contemplates an educational cam
palgn in which the entire citizen
ship will be shown their responsible
ity in city building; the bringing of
the business men into an atmosphere
Tor desire for closer relations for
trade extension and projections: a
survey affecting the industrial, com
mercial, civic and agricultural devel-
opment of the community; the map
ping out of definite platform of
practical and sane activities for fu-
ture work in town building; and the
placing of proper machinery within
the organization that it may carry
the provisions of this platform into
successful realization.
The first step will be that of
bringing all the business and pro-
fessional interests of Lakeland, both
large and small, into the organiza-
ton, giving the Board men enough,
money and personal service enough,
to do anything it sets out to do.
The movement was deemed nee
essary at this time for the best in
terests of Lakeland and tributary
territory in view Of the unusual con-
ditions, brought about by the Euro,
pean war, and the splendid efforts
made by the great business interests
of the country through commercial
bodies, to take advantage Of the war
to extend American trade.
The big business and manufac-
turing interests of the United States,
much of their trade having been cut
off on account of the European war,
are striving as never before to over
come this loss by trade expansion at
home and in new fields. 1t is deemed
necessary by the Governors of the
Lakeland Board of Trade that Lake
land must be just as progressive in
looking after her own interests, both
manufacturing and retail, as other
cities .
Secretary HOlworthy says that the
plans for the big movement will be
made public step by step. AS 1t Is
believed that it is better to explain
each step thoroughly than to attempt
to give the entire plan out at one
time The Board will assume new
activities and in many ways prac-
tees will be changed SO as to pro-
mote effectiveness
lie stated that the plans had been
explained to many of the best posted
men in town retailers, profession al
men and other leading citizens, and
they endorsed them without excep-
tion.