The evening leader. (Tarpon Springs, Fla.) 191?-19??, 1917-02-16
R. E. OLDS TO BUILD
MILLION DOLLAR HOTEL
Continued from Page IL

although it might be said the plans
for the new million dollar hotel had
been drawn. The plans were shown
to a Times man in Mr.. Odds room.
Included is a 10000 acre game pre-
serve, extending back from the hotel,
which will face south on Old Tampa
Bay, to Lake Butler. On Lake But
Ter will be erected a handsome fishing
lodge. In addition there will be an
eighteen hole golf course in connection
with the hotel. In discussing his plans,
Mr.. Odds said:
Il was not at first impressed with
Florida, excepting for its climatic
conditions, but since Investigating I
find it an ideal spot for the things I
wish to do. I think Tampa has a
great future as a manufacturing city,
die to its natural facilities as a port,
which makes it capable Of handling
The Sonth American trade, and the Cal
ifornia trade through the Panama ca
nal. The geographical location of
Tampa makes it one of the most de-
sirable cities in the country for in
; ,:;s!.';'
"For some time l have considered
the resort at Oldcmar You will see
the plans have already been drawn
and at present l am engaged in round
ing up the details. Just when the ac-
tual work on the hotel will begin, I
would rather not say. We have big
plans for Oldsmar, which I think will
be carried out.
"Near Oldsmar,, sand from which
the finest glass I ever saw can be
made, is available in quantities. 1t is
proposed to establish a glass factory
in that vicinity. It will in no way in
torfere with the resort or cause incon-
venience to it.
"In my mind the most logical indus
try for Tampa is a farm tractor pro-
position. | feel certain one will be
located here in the near future. The
proposition has already been investi-
gated and those beh;',' 40 movement
saw the consistency Of the plan and
were very much pleased with Tampa
for it's location. However, this propo-
sition has not matured to the extent
where all there is to it may be made
public. There are many things under
way that can not be made public that
will vastly benefit Tampa from an in
dustrial standpoint.
"The labor situation is in much bet
ter condition than in the north. Or
binary laborers are scarce there, while
they are plentiful here. This condi-
ton makes a great difference to the
manufacturer. Climatic conditions
have a great deal to do also.
Sees Many Opportunities>Here.
"In my factory in Lansing, which
covers about thirty-fve acres, thu
heating alone in a year amounts t.
$4,000, to say nothing of the initia
cost of installing a plant All this ii
eliminated in Tampa. The money ex
pended for heating there is saved b!
natural climatic conditions here"
Mr.. Odds was asked whether or no
he had any idea of moving his entir,
plant from Lansing to Tampa. Thi:
he said was impraeticable, but tina
there were many things that could b.
accomplished here. The entire trent
of the automobile manufacturers con
versation indicates hesis- highly pleas
edrwith Tampa. and its surrounding
and contemplates investing unlimited
capital in the city and at 0ldsmar il
development work and establishing in
Idustries HE will leave Saturday witt
MRS. Odds to tour South Florida, re.
turning,to Tampa 40 q later date, be
fore going north. v {