The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1921-04-27
OCALA DELEGATION
DOES GOOD WORK
Mayor Anderson and Messrs- Howell
and McIver Secure Neutrality of
Tampa ON Capital Removal
(Tampa Tribune. 27th)

Tampa wants the state capital
moved from Tallahassee to some point
nearer the center of population and
more accessible, but Tampa will not
show partiality to any one town bid
ding for the capital site. This was
the sentiment expressed by the board
of governors of the board of trade
yesterday in answer to a delegation
from Ocala, requesting that Tampa
let the various towns bidding for the
capital fight it out on their own mer-
its, when the proper time comes.
Mayor Robert Anderson, in heading
the Ocala delegation, made an effec-
tive plea for the board of trades neu-
trality. He declared that the vital
issue now was the question of the cap
ital's removal, not its proposed site.
at is purely a political question
now," asserted Mayor Anderson. "In
order to effect removal, a legislative
amendment must be passed, which
will require a three-fifths vote in the
Legislature. To get this three-fifths
vote, central and southern Florida
must stick together. to win out
against west Florida. 1t will be a
tough fight even if we don't split our
forces.
"When the removal of the capital
is assured, then let the various towns
fight it out for the site. We believe
Ocala is the best site, but if Orlando
or any other place, can show superior
ity, we will get behind that place.
What we want now is unity in the
fight for removal. Since Tampa does
not want the capital, we think it only
fair to ask for neutrality. If Tampa
favors any single place, the forces
will be split. and the whole PROPOSE
ton for getting the capital out of
Tallahassee will be jeopardized."
Mayor Anderson went on to say
that Ocala had been making bid for
the capital site for years. In fact, he
stated, the Representatives now serv-
ing in Tallahassee were elected by
Ocala voters on the platform that
they would work for the desired
change. These representatives are
said to have been working on the
proposition for some time. with the
result that considerable support had
already been gained in favor of Ocala.
With reference to Orlando. Mayor
Anderson declared that his city was
not in any way antagonistic to that
place, although he was sure that
Ocala could command the greater
amount of support. In concluding, the
speaker said that he was only asking
the Tampa board of trade to center
its fight on the proposal to get the
capital removed.
On the delegation with Mayor An
derson were d. z. McIver and j. z
Howell. Mr.. McIver made few re-
marks endorsing the statements OF
the delegations chairman, adding that
the big fight now centered on defeat
ing the proposed legislation to spend
gu; rter of million dollars on the
old state house. He said that prev.
ious fights to remove the capital were
defeated by division of forces, and
that if the present fight became
/ three-cornered, the capitol building
would remain IN Tallahassee.
D. B. Mckay explained to the Ocals
delegation that the Legislative board
of the board of trade had gone on re.
cord at a recent meeting as favorine
Orlando because the members behev.
ed that If fixed site were selected Al
the outset sentiment would crystalizs
in its favor and the chances for vic.
tory would be better. @But on hear