The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1921-09-23
OCALA GOOD ROADS
MEETING BIG SUCCESS
The Whole Of Central Florida Aroused For the
Immediate Construction Of State Road No.

The rally in Ocala Tuesday night.
called for the purpose of stirring up
the state road department for the inn
mediate construction of state road
No. 2, was a big success and aroused
wonderful enthusiasm.
1t was in reality a continuance of
the Gainesville meeting, and delegates
of representative men and women
were in attendance from Lake City
and beyond, and as far south as Tam
pa and letters of endorsement were
read from prominent citizens living in
counties still further south.
| The meeting bore a strong resem-
blance to our old-time state conven-
tions, and was tinctured with the
same old-time spirit
From the number of eloquent
speeches that were made it was DEM
onstrated that oratory is not a dead
commodity in our state and is still
most forceful and pleasing weapon,
and when used adroitly always brings
results.
Mayor Robert L. Anderson, Jr.,
father of the movement to have the
meeting in Ocaia, welcomed the del
egates in a manner that sent a glow
of enthusiasm over the audience and
which became infectious and lasted
throughout the evening.
Mr. VIM. T. Gary, Ocala's Patrick
Henry. was made chairman of the
meeting and his address added sparks
to the fuel of enthusiasm.
When followed by Mr.. w. w. Phil
uips of Lake City, Mayor j. C. Ad-
kins of Gainesville, Willis Powell of
Lake county, Mrs. j. w. McCollum.
president Of the Florida Federation Of
Women's Clubs. and others, it was
like setting off fireworks on a Fourth
Of July celebration, with all the ac-
companying pyrotechnics and inspira-
tional etceteras.
Colonel Rogers read letter from
Governor Hardee in which the govern
or stated that he is heartily in favor
of the construction of state road No.
2; that he believes it to be the key to
the richest sections in Florida. "You
may be sure,p the letter said, that /
regard road No. as one of the most
important roads in the state, and one
which should be constructed at the
1
earliest possible date" He added
that he had taken steps to bring about
early construction and had instructed
the road department to take 200 con-
victs from the camps and place them
on roads. From conversation which
he had recently with Mr.. Phillips, he
said. he understands it is the inten-
tion TO place many of those convicts
on road No. 2.
A representative of the Gainesville
Sun was present at the meeting, and
commenting upon the governors let
ter and Willis Powells speech, had
the following to say:
Little Enthusiasm
The governors letter was received
with applause but without any DEM
onstration Of enthusiasm, as it was
the impression of the speakers and
delegates that small party of con
victs, even though that party number
ed the entire 200 mentioned in the
letter, would be of little avail in
bringing to completion road No. 2.
In concluding Colonel Rogers said
the people living along road No. 2
must pull together and work together
and they will shake the foundation
of the regime at Tallahassee and gain
their ends ?
Willis POWELL secretary of the
chamber Of commerce at Leesburg,
declared emphatically that central
Florida is not fighting the road de-
partment but is lighting Jacksonville
and must realize that fact The state
Of Florida, he said, has paid tribute
TO Jacksonville for years. In his opin-
ion Jacksonville is behind all opposi-
ton that the road department is max
ing to the early completion of road
No. 2.
Hon. W. W. Phillips introduced a
resolution calling on the road depart
ment 10 release the bonded funds of
the four counties, saying that if the
road department failed to meet the
demands CT that resolution il means
thai department does not intend to
acknowledge the viii of the people.