The De Soto County news. [volume] (Arcadia, Fla.) 1898-1924, 1916-09-28

da legislature WIN IEtpaIe Ill
TO Cure the Defects Now Existing
and VIII Make IL Possible to Prop.
erly Finance the Drainage Work.
The following letter from the Ev-
erglades Joint Committee, represent.
ing the Miami Chamber Of Commerce,
has been addressed to the members of
the next Florida legislature. The
letter reads:
Miami, Fla, Sept. II, 1915.
To All Members Of the Florida Legis-
lature IF 1917:
Upon the action Of the next session
Of the legislature will depend the fu.
ture Of the Everglades. If the reac-
tionary policy of the present state
officials is continued, the enterprise
is bound to collapse, for reasons out
lined in the circular which we mail
ed to YOU several weeks ago.
Everglades bonds have been au-
thorized for more than three years,
but none have yet been sold in the
money markets Of the world. Mean
while. millions of dollars worth Of
good bonds have been sold by almost
every county and municipality in
Florida. 1t is clear. therefore. that
there is something decidedly wrong
with the Everglades bonds. The laws
authorizing these Everglades bonds
were fathered by the present state Of
dclals. They have utterly failed in
their purpose. Both the amount of
the issue and the security back Of it
lave been inadequate. The much her
aided sale which was So widely adj
vertiSed by the state officials just
prior to the recent primary, has gone
up in thin smoke, as was to be ex-
pected. The same thing happened to
the sale" which the state officials
said was "pending' when they asked
the legislators to vote for their emas-
culated amendatory bill in the 1915
session.
Mr.. Knott, state comptroller, /
md Mr.. West, attorney general, have |
ecently declared themselves in favc- |
# creating 4 separate commission TO
,e located on the ground, with moth. |
ng to occupy their time or attention |
kept the accomplishment Of drain |
ge. They now realize that the task /
# looking after the worlds greatest |
exclamation project is too labOriuus |
or the administrative Officers, who |
ire already JverburdCned with gencr- |
Il state duties, and that drainage by |
nall is Ear from satisfactory. |
Doubtless the other state officials |
EEL just as Mcssrs. Knott and West
Ia about this matter.
The responsibility of enacting a
lew law which will clear up the Ev- |
,r-lades tangle Cnce and for ALL and
which will make it impossible to any
onger array one part of the state
against the other for personal polit-
cal advantage, or to divert the land
rom drainage to any other purpose,
rests upon the shoulders of each in.
lividual member of the legislature.
We feel confident that you desire to
lc your part in eliminating this can
Ter on the 0ody polite, re-establish-
nc Florida's fair name, and making
good on the drainage project, in
Accordance with the contract between
The state Of Florida and the United
States government.
Some time before the next session
'f the legislature convenes. we will
send You copy of a bill which will
'ure the present defects and make 1t
possible to properly finance the
manage work. But we wish now to
'eSpeak your thoughtful considera-
ZION OF this matter, and to invite cor
reSpondence relative to the condition
and needs of the project.
1t has been suggested that spe-
cal trip to the Everglades be ar
ranged for all members OF the legis-
azure at an early date. Mr.. Mar
snail, epresentative-elect from Bro
ward county, has already covered
soodly portion Of the state in person.
ana large number Of senators and
representatives have accepted the in
'i'ation TO come down and acquaint
themselves with the 'Glades. Would
you be able to join your colleagues
~ such tour Of inspection, starting
rom Fort Lauderdale, say about the
10Th Of December'
view would like to receive an early
expression from every legislator in
'rder that the details of the trip may
DC arranged IN ample time.
Yours very truly,