The evening leader., 1918-11-25
THE FISH INDUSTRY Of TARPON;
RESOURCES FROM THE. GULF.
Some Side Lights on This Asset of the City; Not a
"Fish Story, But Story of Fish

AS we nave from Time 10 Time nGn-
toned the fish business in the columns
of The Leader, we were cognizant of
the fact that this was becoming an
important item in the business list of
the city, but we were entirely unpre-
pared for the revelation made by the
books of the two big fish companies
operating in Tarpon Springs-the
Gulf Fish Co., H. H. Davis, manager,
and the McCreary Fish Co., Robert
McCreary, manager.
The fish business of Tarpon Springs
is one that would form an important
item in the commercial interests of
much larger city. But as a substantial
exploitation of one of the chief arti-
cles of food, it's significance to a town
the size of Tarpon Springs, it is one
of paramount Importance and suscep-
tible of promotion. Many of the most
substantial places in the country live
and grow and thrive on this industry
alone. The waters of Florida are
teeming with a wealth of finny life,
the demand for which is bounded only
by the national limits. It is an indus
try that may be enlarged upon with
no danger of over supply, and it is
an industry that, for home economies,
will support more people than almost
any other line of production.
This morning the reporter visited
the Offices of the Gulf Fish company,
and the McCreary Fish company,
where he was accorded the privilege
of inspecting the books of these two
companies, with view of arriving at
the true figures which represent the
Importance of these concerns to Tar
pom Springs. In giving these figures
to the public we feel that we are do
ing our bit to encourage the sadustry
and build up the city: We find it i'm
practicable to give weekly itemized
statement of what we find, and there
fore make statement of the aggre-
gate for period of time reaching
from July | to the present time. An
examination of the records in the of
fees of the two companies under con-
sideration reveals the following:
Receipts for shipments .. $170,458.78
Disbursements-paid fish
efmen ............. OU,UUU.UU
Paid for ice .......... 1896 90
Paid for barrels ...... 2,050.00
Paid for gas and oil .... 100000
Other items of expense paid into
the trade circulation are unavailable.
But we have enough to get some idea
Of the money turned loose here in our
own little town, amounting to more
than $4,000. Some Of this, viz, part
of the ice and some of the barrels, are
shipped in, but the prime factor is the
payroll of 100000, which was paid to
our own people and found its way into
local trade channels.
Now we wish to call the attention
of our people to the Importance of
this industry with it's needs and it's
possibilities. We find that fishing for
deep-water fish is hampered by lack
of sufficient water to make it possible
for deep-water smacks to reach our
wharves. People acquainted with the
business know that We should have
more water for this A schooner of
this class loaded with fish needs from
8 to II feet of water. We have not
got it. And though we are plainly en-
titled to it We will get it only by MAX
ing the proper business presentments
to our government. With a depth of
II or even 10 feet of water to our
wharves; we can develop here an in
dustry which instead of amounting to
an output of 100000 pounds could
easily be brought to 100000 pounds
per annum. Let's get busy.
Another important factor is ice.
Today our local plant hasn't the ca
pacity to provide necessary ice and
our fish companies are obliged to buy
from Tampa and other points, this
making their ice cost them double
what it should. Our local ice plant is
doing it's best, but it is too small.
There is another fish company doing
business here-a smaller one. We did
not have time to interview them, but
are assured that they are doing nice
business.
You will notice that the figures Civ
en- did not include freights paid. Here,
too, is something for us to consider.
Instead of being obliged to ray heavy
freight md express charges, our fish
companies should have railroad spur