The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-02-24

NEEDED IN ,, THE
BOARD Of TRADE

|
since this forceful word ca;fs into
/ 2ur vocabulary men have learned
much of its practical meaning, it is
nevertheless too true that the full
meaning Of the word and the great
principle which 1t defines Is not ap !.
preciated by the great majority Of
mankind. Here and there we have
concrete illustrations Of what is ac-
complished by cooperation, but
countless opportunities are lost eacn
day, untold failures registered and
dreams which might have come true
have been unrealized simply for the
lack of cooperation. These terse
statements may be said to be sim
ply truisms, yet nevertheless they
are facts and right today we people
OF Lakeland are missing golden op
portunities, are losing money in
large sums, failing to acquire what
is within our reach. because we lack
the real spirit Of CO operation. It
Is true that much has been accom-
plished. most Of which has had t.
be fought for and often in the bit
terness of strife, much of that which
all now agree to have been very
much worth while, but had the true
spirit Of CO operation united the en-
ergies OF our people we can hardly
imagine the result which might ,
have been brought about in this
community. Lakeland has a Board
OF Trade, in actual paying member
ship larger than that of Tampa at |
the present time. 1t has accom-
plished much during the past few
years but not SO much by CO opera
tlon as in spite of lack of CO..
operation. Many who are and have
been greatly benefited by the work
OF the Board and who in their Sc
cret soul would greatly regret to see
1t go out of existence not only de-
cline to support 1t but are often
guilty Of carping criticism and
sneering indifference. And. the
point is, that 1t Is so with, more or
less. every organization of men.
Petty jealousies, the desire to profit
by others endeavor, and other un
worthy reasons, keep back the prog
ress which might be made il these
otherwise good and useful men
would put their shoulder to the
wheel and aid in the advance.
Why have we only one railroad
operating in this favored section Of
he State?
Why does it cost 1925 more to
ship a carload of certain merchan {
iise to Lakeland than to Plant City, ,
EN- miles further west?
Why, with eight lovely lakes In Z
'ur corporate limits, is there not a 8
Jingle one improved and made u,
beauty spot to attract our northern $
risitors?
Why do we not have a rest room q
or the use of our people from the I
ountry who come here to do their I
hopping? q
Why do we not have an exhibit OF Il
ur products in some place where +
'isitors could see them and thus Y
now what can be raised in this sec 4
ion? h
Why does so much OF our trade n
o to Tampa, Chicago and a score o
( other places, taking thousands v
nd thousands of dollars annuall' b
ut of our circulation? In
Why is so much fault found with r,
hose who are at the head of af- ci
airs in every department OF civic 81
=,
These and many other questions m
{ like nature can be answered ir II
hree words: Lack of co operation. n,
There are at the present time h
early two hundred paying members Sc
Z the Board of Trade. At no time a,
lnce its organization. more than h,
wo years ago. has there been pres n
mt at any meeting ten per cent Of
he merchants who belong to it. and
ct does any intelligent merchant o
uestion for one moment the i'm
,ense power such an organization