The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1918-02-20
WINTER PARADISE OF
THE MoToRIsT
TAMPA Truisms)

the amazing improvement that has
been made in the condition OF the
roads. Motoring in Florida is no
longer confined to a few sections OF
the state. The ever-increasing num-
Der of motorists has opened up hith'
erto impossible thoroughfares and
disclosed as beautiful and charming
Florida as one finds in those parts
already familiar to the traveller. Good
roads were needed to meet the rising
tide of motoring enthusiasts, with the
result that the state has spent very
nearly $1S,OOO,OOO since 1914 on i'm
proving it's roads.
Probably no such ideal motoring
conditions exist anywhere as in Flor
ida today. With her superb climate
and her matchless scenery, it only
needed the addition Of state roads to
give Florida an unrivaled position
among the winter motoring resorts of
the world.
1t is doubtful if any other climate
has come in for more enthusiastic
praise than that of Florida's. The
wonderful evenness of her tempera-
ture is due to the nearness of the
Gulf Stream and to the great expanse
of water around the peninsula. The
prevailing winds sweep in from the
sea, bringing with them the soft, salt
tang that is a peculiar and invigorat-
ing quality of Florida air. AT the
southern end of Florida the Ever
glades, with their tremendous ex-
panse of fresh water. keep this eli
mate at practically the same temper
ature throughout the year.
In scenery, too, Florida is lucky
starred. One has to travel far and
perhaps in vain to find the equal of
her brilliant tropical foliage, over
| hanging the banks of some shaded
river, perhaps, or spreading out in
profusion through the dense forests;
her tall, stately pines, her winding
rivers and magnificent harbors, the
UNEMPLOYED recesses of her mysteri-
Gus Everglades, and her delightful
old cities, with their cherished relics
of the days of Sjanish dominion all
possess a peculiar and delightful
charm of their own.
The topography of Florida, as every
one knows, is for the most part quite
level with just enough hilly country
to vary the monotony of along tour
1t is rare thing to find oneself eX
posed unwillingly to the suns rays
for the drives are shaded by spread
gia pines. AS one proceeds south i
is interesting to note the change il
the foliage Along the west coas
one passes through the famous PINE
forests and palm groves, penetrating
at last the citrus fruit belt and thu
date country farther south. The cen
trail part of Florida is being built VI
with some of the finest sand-asphal
roads in the state, and the drive OF
the western coast overlooking tn
, Gulf and Tampa bay is a magnificen
one
The hotel question in Florida is fol
tunately one that need not worry tn
visitor He can choose according t
his taste, for Florida is just as we
:, known for its quiet and unpretentiou
hotels as for the ultra-fashionabl
ones.
Hillsborough county, of which Tan
pa is the county seat has been tn
leader In the good roads movement
, Florida. In 1912 $1OO0,OO0 in bond
was voted for the construction {
brick roads, and this provided sly
Of
TEN of rs miles of brick paved hig
ways, with an additional mileage
shell and rock paved roads to g
most every section of the county.
1917 an additional bond issue of $751;
=, 600 was voted for the construction
other permanent hard-surfaced road
. these to be paved with asphalt bloc
and grouted vitrified brick. BY Il
end of the year the county will ha'
125 miles of permanent paved hig
:, ways with many additional miles
rock and shell roads Every sectiC
of the county will be accessible al
motoring will be a delight. Tam
stands at the head of Florida cou
ties in road improvements, The a
joining counties have also done the
share, and South Florida is indeed
favored spot for the motorist.
MS
lis, the ideal she shares with her allie
zee the restoration in Europe of the SD
ed it of humanity, of liberty, and of