The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1919-04-24
Prepare for Greater Activity In South
--.-.~s 9- Florida

| A great amount OF activity is re.
ported throughout the phosphate ter
ritory surrounding Tampa. An in
dustry Partially paralyzed by the war
has been revived with the injection
of more life than it has ever before
enjoyed Prophecy was made today
by phosphate men competent to Judge
that more phosphate will be mined
and placed on the market In 1919 than
in any year and half prior to the
outbreak of the war in 1914
What does 1t mean to Tampa? Be-
fore the war Tampa was known as
the largest shipping port for phos-
plate in the world. The industry
was steady and knew no decline from
year to. year. The industry served
as steady support to Tampa and all
Surrounding country and contributed
its share in building the community.
Ships came into the port from all
Iparts of the world, were supplied and
Quilted for voyages--and Quitting
a ship means ready money in any
port. Connected with the phosphate
industry is an endless chain Of EN-.
ployment of both labor and capital,
all tributary to Tampa.
just at the close Of the war phos-
phate interests formed pool and
agreed to deal through a single head
In making exports. Prediction has
been made that this one move would
do more towards advancement Of
phosphate interests than any other
one thing. Prior to the war compe-
tition in phosphate was exceptional.
lily keen in every way. Producers and
mines bid against each other in for.
leign fields for business. Many cases
of underselling to obtain business
|crippled strong concerns. None Of
the mines could depend on a steady
market, and it was not until recently
when the combination of interests
was formed that such thing became
possible.
| The one export agent, through
whom all business will move in the
future, will, it is said, fix prices as he
considers best on all kinds and grades
Iof phosphate rock. Cost of competi
ltion will be eliminated. Mines will
receive better prices for their outpa,
with decidedly reduced overhead.
Railroads Improve Terminals
Both the Seaboard and Atlantic
Coast Line railroads have recently
completed improvements in their ele
vators at Tampa and Port Tampa
with a view to facilitating the hand
ling OF larger amounts Of phosphate
and handling It with greater speed
1.-THE Export Railway Co.. although No
definite announcement has been made
will likely, within the coming year
complete their terminals on the
south-east side Of Tampa Bay. The
project IS IN the hands Of New Yorh
and Boston capitalists who deferred
the work during the war and have
made no definite announcement until
the present time. The project calls
for the erection Of docks and term
inal facilities, drying bin On the
docks and 'frsilroad connections With
Tampa, all to cost much over
100000.
| Prediction has been made that the
Export Railway Co. win begin opera
itions towards completion Of theii
work and have Il we'll under way DO
fore the end Of the summer. A vast
amount Of work had been executed al
the time It was discontinued, In fact
1.-THE railroad connecting Tampa with
1.-THE property would have been com
lpleted at an early date.
Prairie Pebble Spending ss0e,see
The Prairie Pebble Phosphate Co,
lnear Mulberry, is spending approx
mately 100000 on improvements
THE work is we'll under way and tn,
money is being spent to better facil
litate mining of their deposit and ais
looking to greater production. An
nouncement hes been made that tn
Export Phosphate Co., near Mulberry
win open its mines in the near futur
land begin operation in full blast, Tn
lopening of the mines will give en-
ployment to large number of mer
Morris & Co., packers, have plan
under way to mine deposits owne
by them near Barlow. The propert
lowned by the company is said to b
OF the finest from phosphate stand
point and marks the entrance of tn
packers into the phosphate industr
in Florida. Swift & Co., have mine