The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-04-28

its fine paved streets. its public
buildings, its parks. and in my opin-
ion the Improvement which has
come to you in civic affairs of late
years will last for ages as monu-
ment to the integrity and admins
| trative ability of your city officials.
Your fine business blocks and beau.
tiful residences are indications OF
stability and loyalty of your citi.
zens.
Lakeland the Jacksonville Of South
Florida
You are an important railroad
center and as / view your situation
predict that at some future date
you will be the gateway, or we
might say the Jacksonville of South
Florida, for when the line of road
from the West is completed, every
thing from that territory will come
through Lakeland, thence to Tampa
or elsewhere. You are the center of
the phosphate mining district OF
South Florida and that industry con-
tributes largely to your growth. In
citrus fruits you are important and
Tampa congratulates YOU on all
these accomplishments and does not
hold in her heart any Jealousy for
the prosperity and progressiveness of
your city. On the other hand she is
anxious and willing to cooperate
with you for greater and better
Lakeland.
But gentlemen, of Lakeland there
remains an industry which means
more to you and to us and those who
will come after us than all the ad-
vantages you now possess combined.
refer to your back country-your
agricultural opportunities, the sur
face of which you have only scratch
ed.
We all know that primarily and
fundamentally all wealth comes from
the soil. AS the farmer grows and
prospers just so all Lakeland thrive
and attain civic greatness. The
backbone of any rity is it's surround
ing territory and you should impress
upon your farmer the important pos
ition he occupies in the up-building
of Lakeland. Your Board of Trade
should go into the world and preach
the doctrine of the soil, inviting the
thousands of dissatisfied persons
from other states to come and cast
their lot with us, assuring them that
they will find not only that wealth
which all men crave but veUtable
store-house of happiness and content
ment and the life which God intend
ed.
Sometimes l become so enthusiastic
over Florda-this land of fruit and
vegetables, of flowers and palms and
hidden wealth--that if it was geo.
logically possible would be inclin-
ed to believe the Garden of Eden
had been located here.
once heard story of famous
! lawyer whose name was Strange"
He had met with unusual success in
the practice Of his profession and
had reached the ripe age of sixty
years and had So begun to think OF
death, and calling his wife into con-
fidence he informed her that at his
death he desired placed over his
grave a simple slab with the follow
ing inscription: "Here lies an hon
est lawyer" She expressed sur
prise and asked him why his name
, was not included. He replied "All
that pass that way and read here
lies an honest lawyer will at once
remark That's strange If over
my grave the epitaph Here lies a
South Florida booster" would bring
forth the name Gillett, indeed, I
should feel that my mission on earth
had been well performed.
Put Board on Solid Foundation
Build your Board of Trade on a
sO1id foundation No poord of Two a ,