The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-04-19
Annual Report of Sec'y A. J. Holworthy
OF The Lakeland Chamber of Commerce

greatly enhanced with better ship
ping facilities. 1t is a matter of con-
ISOLATION that in the midst of all our
fears and doubts on this question of
Tampa coming closer to us, that no
small town has ever yet been known
such a connection, but on the other
hand, there are scores of instances
of prosperous towns similarly sit
uated, which have been built up by
this modern method of inter-commu
nication. No, rather should we con-
graduate ourselves that We have
been selected as good live COM
munity upon which to build the
foundation of line which ulti-
mately will connect the east and
west coasts and make communica-
tion easier with all of this splendid
South Florida territory.
Factories, of a certain kind, are
much to be desired in any COM
munity by reason of the regular pay
roll which keeps money in circula-
ton, and the chamber has gone after
a number of enterprises during the |
past year. In nearly every case, we |
have fallen down, either for lack |
adequate facilities, such as site or
power or because we were unable to
get local capital subscribed How
ever, the chamber points with pride
to the fact that it has been success
full, in spite of many handicaps and
a lack of enthusiastic interest on the
part of many who, even for selfish
reasons might easily have been ex-
pected to cooperate, to secure for
Lakeland one of the most desirable
factory enterprises that any town
might wish to have, and the people
of this community are exceedingly
fortunate, though very few seem to
realize it. | refer to the Peninsular
Iron Works, which, it is believed is
going to be second only in import
ance to that of the railroad. This
enterprise is under the management
of man who has the confidence of
men higher up who believe in the
opportunity for big business and the
~ ability of the man to secure ant
take care of it. This enterprise ha.
already sufficient orders booked
$50 ahead for several months to come
ng
% Another enterprise which ha
been fostered and encouraged finall
to locate here is that of the Lake
land Fruit Juice Company, whicI
go has been incorporated with Lakelan
ana capital. While nothing more tina
factory building has yet maturet
the success of this enterprise is as
IA sured Just as soon as they are abb
to secure their machinery, which i
:. these war times is very hard to ge
NJ and next season will doubtless Sc
H., valuable business being done he1
80 in finding profitable market ft
such of our citrus products no
God A packing plant for cannin
lred grapefruit and other products is a
lber 81 uhuer way ana VIII douDtless
will in good running order next season
cost This was also secured directly |
pnts the efforts of the Chamber of Cor
Ike merce.
rful Another important developme
for which has been brought to success
has full issue through our efforts is tn
ould of the Lakeland Golf Association
len This was taken up by the Chamb
we on recommendation of the secreta
THAT in January, 1915. A good deal
and. preliminary work, including su
hem veys was made at the expense of t
en- Chamber, and two propositions e
hich dorsed. One of these was taken
be vigorously and large amount
capital has already been raised, 81
tion ficient to enable active construct
r of now soihS oh anu ie'ooh'o' y
FOR look for a good golf course by ne
,telv winter This will bring to us a me
tbo desirable class of tourists and whit
:, visitors who will find never en-
rter ing delight and satisfaction in pla
ats ing the popular game amid the hig
bv land lakes of Polk county
0 be In this connection reference m
/. also be made to active steps bel
BORT taken to connect Lakeland throu
/ an Lake Parker, Hollingsworth, l
been mana and Hancock, with the Wint
the Haven twenty lake boat course
4 an means of a drainage canal viii
land will, in addition &c the splendid r
arly reation thus afforded, drain tho
cunt ands of acres of good land now pa
pre- ly or wholly submerged. There ;
hese many details to be worked out
, get fore this plan can be finally
unds through, but ultimate success see
nary certain.
the Attention is also called to the
rise, portant work done by TINS once
take connection with the proposed CO
now Roads Bond Issue AS secretary
be- the Polk County Good Roads As
plan citation, we have been enabled
is of bring to bear the weight of this