The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1919-07-17
FLORIDA AND SUGAR

II there ever was a time when op-
portunity knocked at the door of
Florida that time is now and the oc-
casion for the knocking is the sugar
industry that claims admittance.
It is time right now to get busy, to
hear the knocking at the door and
to throw it open.
Through earnest, practical presen-
tation of the facts relative to Flor
ida's advantages Of soil and climate
for the production Of sugar cane and
the very urgent and growing demands
for more extensive sugar output,
Florida has been put in the forefront
Of the consideration which is now be.
ing given to the sugar industry in all
its phases, from the growing Of the
cane to the refining and marketing
CT the product in the form Of sugar
and syrups.
Individuals, refiners, wholesale and
retail dealers, and equally with all OF
them, the consumers, are delving deep
into the sugar situation, endeavoring
to find a way by which the supply of
sugar may most abundantly and most
satisfactorily meet the demand both
OF this country and abroad.
So intensively and so practically
have the facts been presented that
they have reached the Congress of
the United States. Only within few
days past has the chairman of the all
powerful ways and means commit
tee of the House of Representatives
written to the officers of the Jackson
vile Realty Board asking to be sup
piled with all possible data with ref
erence to Florida as related to the
sugar industry. This means, If it
means anything, that Congress may
take a very important part in devel-
cping the sugar resources of Florida.
It is known that the sugar beet
growers of the West are importuning
. Congress for an cppropriation to pro-
} mote their immediate enterprise.
There can be no reasonable opposi-
( ton from this section of the country
! to such assistance as the best sugar
! growers desire, but at the same time
u that we say for cur Western friends,
let them have federal appropriation
in the manner and form they request
but give to the South such equal fl
nancial aid as is demanded by the i'm.
0ortant assistance that here can be
Il given toward supplying needed sup
: plies of sugar, toward establishing In
u Florida and in the South sugar in.
dustry that is Of utmost importance
to all the people of the entire United
{ such a volume of reasonable SOUND
X that it will reach the ears of oul
T. members in Congress and those o.
" the members from other states.
- The Times Union has from time tx
. time presented the facts relative tt
the adaptability of Florida to sugar
cane growing. They need not at thi'
IN
), time be reitedated. But right now !
is important to urge action, not onl.
" through appeals to Congress but in
practical demonstration Of the fac
that Florida can and will produce un
limited quantities Of sugar cane, TIL
start has already been made in va
- rious sections of the state where NOR
: and better sugar cane is being grow
:, and Of intentions to give over great
: err areas next year for the CROWN
of the stalks from which sugar |
- produced. This is as it should be
- The erection Of mills for the grindin
of Florida grown cane is also we
under way. Indications are that su
by gar refiners, men of large flnancia
' ~ means, are turning their attention t
OF Florida not only as source of RAJ
ses
n sugar but in the prospect of erectin
NJ y here refineries for the necessar
2. handling of that product and convert
IS ing it into the sugar of commerce
y Congress and great financiers max
E y; 1t practice to help those who he'll
nd themselves. Is Florida doing all ths
, ,rs is possible to help herself and there
Of by win the aid and assistance of Cor
the gress and Of individuals and corpo1
IN ations toward developing one of tn
III. most valuable industries to which til
81; state may lay claim and whereof
Ion ion great good may come to Florida Ian
,o's owners and to sugar users ever.
on. where? If not, now is the time TO g
Is busy .-Jacksonvi Times Union.