The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1921-08-04
= LAKELAND EVENING TELEGRAM. THURSDAY AUGUST q 1927

Board and other institutions Interested in the
welfare of the state TO- convince the financial
reporting agencies of the country that Florida
conditions radically different from those
which obtain in other parts of the south.
A current report of the Babson Service, pre-
pared particularly for the guidance of manufac-
turers and distributors who subscribers,
emphasizes the fact that Florida is in much bet
ter position in a number of respects than the
rest of the south and should not be overlooked
by statesmen In explanation of the advice given,
the Babson bulletin, under the heading, Florida
Better Than Rest of South" goes into detail as
follows:
Florida like every other state, has been un
dergoing reimbursement 1t should not be classed
with the remainder of the SOUTH however, as it
is very much better off. In fact, few states have
weathered the depression better than Florida
Sections depending upon lumber, naval stores,
and phosphate rock dull; but throughout large
areas of the state conditions are somewhat fav-
orable and should we'll repay sales efforts
FLORIDA is not cotton state and cotton is
the root of the present depression in the south
Floridas crop value last year but II per
cent less than in 1919. The country whole
reported a loss of 25 per cent, and neghboring
cotton states an average decline of about 40 per
cent. Moreover, while the income from Floridas
crops last year was somewhat less than in 1919,
it was SO per cent greater than the 1914-1S five
year average. Few states can give such fay
orable report.
THE citrus and truck seasons have been over
for some time. Shipments exceedingly
large but the net returns to the grower small
owing to weak markets and excessively high
shipping charges Profits were not large neither
were losses AS cotton, corn and wheat farmers
nearly all lost considerable money last year,
Florida has much to be thankful for. The tour
list crop of 1920-21 one of the best in years,
and towns deriving benefit from this source
reasonably prosperous.
THE summer months are always dull in Flor
ida. Shipments of local products at mini
mum and tourist traffic is small Business tends
upward in early fall Keeping these seasonal
movements in mind, clients should find Florida
relatively good sales territory throughout the
year. This applies especially to towns important
in the production of fruit and truck and to the
various resort centers.'
Some time ago the Florida Development Board
initiated movement to impress upon financial
and business institutions in the north that there
great basic differences between Florida and
the cotton belt sections of the south. The activ-
fly of the organization in this connection was in
augurated at the instance of C. f. Stewart Jr 4,
business manager of the Florida Citrus Ex-
change, who member of the board of drec-
tors. 1t may be very fortunate that The Babson
people have recognized the true conditions just
at this time, in view of of the news sent
out from Washington in the last few days.
Immediately upon receipt of the Babson report
containing the friendly reference to Florida, the
| publishers were teegraphed by Jefferson Thomas.
of the Thomas Advertising Service, for permits
| c;o tn in ad,
ments of Florida interests, especially of the AS
sociated Dacs of Florida, intended to offset the
effect OF tendency on the part of official Wash
ngton to treat Florida with differentiation from
| other sections of the south. The response was
| characteristic and friendly. in these words,
| please accept permission to reprint paragraph
Florida with Mr.. Babson's compliments