The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1920-03-02
The Gainesville Sun says:

| ue OhluCpFhtc Jun ouyo-
That Gainesville is actually being
knocked by prominent men through
out the state because the local bust
ness element has not organized into
Board OF Trade for putting this city
in its rightful ranking with other ci-
ties and towns of Florida, Is the in
formation ventured by M. M. Parrish,
well known insurance man and real
estate broker, and Cote W. Hill,
prominent automobile dealers of this
city.
In travelling over Florida you
would be surprised, said Mr.. Par
IRISH, TO hear from prominent bust
ness men of other towns and cities,
the fun they make of Gainesville be-
cause of the failure of her business
men to pull together and take ad
vantage Of the natural beauty and re-
sources and developing them as ara
the other towns and cities of the state
that do not have half the advantages
that we have here
Mr.. Parrish is strongly in favor
OF putting over the proposed board
of trade organization that Is now on
foot headed by Major W. R. Thomas.
Gainesville needs board of trade
or chamber of commerce now more
than any other one thing" he said
ITO attempt to name the many things
this organization could accomplish.
would be foolish at this time, but l
am sure every citizen of the town will
in a very few years point back with
pride to the many developments made.
If, on Thursday night, the business
men get together and put plenty of
pep behind this movement, select
the proper plan, and organize.
If I am out Of the city then. you
may count on my active support in
any movement started. am for the
movement and will give freely Of my
time and money to make Gainesville
a better town to live in"
Mr.. HIPS Opinion
II want to most heartily and sin
cerely agree with Mai. Thomas in the
necessity of a board Of trade for
Gainesville said Coitte W. Hill.
Having the state distribution for Ma
tional automobiles, I have covered
the entire state the past few months
calling on my dealers and it is only
necessary to take such trip to other
portions of the state to realize the
need and lack Of such an organiza-
ton in Gainesville.
"As an example, I was in West
Palm Beach a short time ago, stand
Ing near one of the booths occupied
by the ASK Mr.. Foster" Offices.
when a most prosperous and desir-
able winter touprist stopped for in
formation. Among other cities in the
state he had planned to visit was
mentioned was Gainesville but he was
promptly told that he would not en-
Joy a trip here. There was very lit
tie here to interest the visitor, no ef-
fort was made to entertain visitors,
no golf course and while 1t was
nice little town. it was dead and
that he would derive much more
pleasure spending that time in Or.
lando, Lakeland or other South Flor
Ida towns. Only the past week was
on the west coast and visited st.
Petersburg, Clearwater, Barlow,
Lakeland Winter Haven, etc., and In
even some Of the smallest towns IL
was almost impossible to find a place
to park an automobile on the main
business streets. Hotel accommoda-
lions are at premium and in Lake
land the Hotel Kibler is sending
their guests out to private homes
All of these, even the smallest, have
live board of trade, golf courses
and show signs of most wonderful
prosperity.