Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-03-29
TEditoriaI Correspondence.1

Tampa, Florida, March 20.
In its relation to the rest of the
country Tampa was placed definitely
and permanently upon the map by the
Spanish-American war, when the
armies of the United States sailed
forth from this port for Cuba. OF
course, Tampa waS in existence many
years before the little racket with
Spain, but 1T was not until about that
time that the city became prominent
as the chief west coast city of Flor
ida.
Tampa is about the same as Har-
risburg in population, and in some
of its characteristic features. If any
body had the idea that Tampa was an
Indifferent southern city. without am
bition or activity, he should imme-
diately revise his opinion. 1t is one
of the most progressive and modern of
municipalities, and its future as the
gateway of Panama seems assured. 1t
is the judgment of Mayor Mckay that
Tampa is certain to become the main
port of entry for the trade of the big
canal. His conclusion is based upon
the belief that Key West is almost
certain to be taken over for the uses
of the United States government. As
everybody knows, the harbor of Key
West is large enough to accommo-
date the navies of the world.
upon sand and smoke; in other words,
it has risen out of the sand, and is
prosperous by reason of having more
than 200 cigar factories, employing
thousands of cigar makers who turn
out n million smokes" every day. 1t
is said that more Havana cigars are
made in Tampa than in the metro
polls of Cuba. Certain it is that the
Spanish and Cuban population of
Tampa represent a large part of its
business activities. There are many
influential and wealthy Cuban cigar
manufacturers and these dominate
much of the business of the city.
as Miles of Paved Streets
was particularly interested in
Tampa because of it's civic develop
ment. 1t has been just sixteen year
since the first street was paved and
the city now has about 10 miles of
paved highway. The county of Hills
borough, of which Tampa is the coun-
ty seat, was the first county in the
United States to vote one million dol
lars for the construction OF brick roads
entirely i'm the country districts.
Harrisburg is not unknown in this
metropolis of Southern Florida The
fame OF the capital city of Pennsyl-
Vania has extended to this place and
what has been accomplished in Har-
rishurg has been an inspiration for the
ClNlc leaders OF tampa.
This is the only city in the country
that owns a hotel as a municipal as
set. Some years ago II. B. Plant in
the zenith of his power erected here
what is known as the Tampa Bay Ho-
tel a palace in that day. and some
years after his death the city acquir-
ed the tropical park and the hotel
buildings which had cost more than
five millions for $4,000. There are
many handsome homes here. fine
churches, clubhouses, school build
ings and a splendid boulevard along
the bay front, suggesting our own Sus-
quehanna river drive.
Through the assistance of Congress
there is now being constructed a deep
er channel which will accommodate
the largest war vessels as well as the
biggest ships of the merchant marine
fleet that is expected to grow dur
ing the next two years. The city owns
and controls five miles of docks, oil
docking room, and there Is abundant
reason for the faith that is in the
municipal leaders regarding the fu.
ture of the city.
Worlds Phosphate Supply
More than half of the worlds phos-
phate supply comes from this sec.
ton, million tons being shipped from
Tampa annually. The total value oil
the water commerce of the city every
! year approXimates forty million dol.
lars. This in addition to the tremen.
dous railroad business which centers
| here.
Readers of the Telegraph would
! hardly be interested in the details oi
what is making Tampa a great city
but in my touring of Florida nowhere
J have 1 been so impressed with The
fundamental features of a great de