The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1918-05-02

them IN many ways, taxing up QueS-
tons Of better marketing and distri-
bution-assisting In the organization
of Growers Notwithstanding up
the entire work connected with se-
curing a supply of nitrate of soda
this involving a mass of detail, cor
respondence with Washington, Jack
sonville and Savannah as we'll as sew
eral letters from time to time to each
farmer looking after the financial end
of the matter until every applicant
finally received his quota. These
farmers now better understand the
work of this organization.
It is not possible to compute the
total amount of money which has
been saved to our merchants through
the Association, the activities Of
which are all conducted in this Of
fice-the worthless advertising
turned down by the Association and
the avoiding of bad accounts and
losses prevented by a well-equipped
Credit Rating Bureau.
Mention may also be made Of an
other piece of work unselfishly under
taken in securing the listing of rooms,
cottages and other accommodation,
whereby we were able to satisfactor-
lily place over 1000 Of the winter Wis
itors who secured their locations
through our facilities. Not only
were these people accommodated and
the town generally benefited there
by, but this work, done without cost
to our own people.
Speaking of the routine work, there
have been more inquiries during the
past year than in any previous year,
and these inquiries have resulted in
bringing more well-to-do people and
more money in investments than in
any previous year.
There have been more tourists and
winter visitors and of better class
than any previous year.
Coming into the War Activities as
a. volunteer worker in connection
with the Red Cross Drive last June
we have since been drafted into all
of them. The First and Second Lib
erty Loan, with some little work but
no responsibility in connection with
the Third-in charge Of the War Saw
ings Campaign. Food Administra-
tion-Council Of Defense-Depart.
ment of Labor, and several other min.
or matters-these activities. taken up
for the honor and on behalf of the
community. have in themselves Jus.
tilted the expenditure of all It has
cost to maintain the office. The de-
mands in this direction will continue
and increase right along and will
have to be met with additional effort
lin some way. suggested last month
"a War Activities Committee, similar
to those which have been brought in
to existence in other commercial or
CARNATIONS. The government are
asking for this kind of cooperation,
and 1t is necessary If the maximum
results along the various lines are
to be achieved
AT least two Of the Bureaus have
been absolutely inactive during the
past year though splendid opportun-
tiles for effort were presented from
time to time. The others have done
some good and effective work.
Looking over the finances of the
year, we find that they compare very
favorably with these of last year.
The receipts for dues were $3,O25.57
as against $2,999.40 last year. Our
disbursements this year were So
5000 as against $3,4S6.65 last year
Our balance on hand consequently is
only $266.99 as against $4,000 last
year. We have, however no debts to
meet which we have not the where
with to meet them The credit Of
the organization is good because it
, has never had to borrow or defer
for moment the payment of bill.
! | beg to hand herewith financial
statement in detail, In connection
with similar statement of the Treas.
,,urer and would ask for the appoint
lment of an Auditing Committee to
/ 'erify the accounts.
And now, gentlemen, one personal
word and ! am through. You have
honored me with reelection as Sec.
rotary of this organization for sew.
eral years, and am grateful for your
appreciation of my efforts, yet may
be pardoned for saying that at no
time was such reelection necessary
NO my welfare any more than it was
the day was first asked to take the
Vtr~.1eAsss-s~tNs1e-~1NeS>.-s,