The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1921-04-05

vancement of the Everglades. the
further protection Of the works con-
structed, and for regulation and con
trolling matters of Importance -relat- .
ing to the drainage project. There
will be presented TO the Legislative
body OF the board of commissioners
of Everglades drainage district,
which board is composed Of the gov
ernor of Florida and four of his cab
met members, certain measures for
your consideration, looking 20 the
advancement of this great recIama-
ton enterprise on which the state mas
embarked
Agricultural Experiment Station for
the Everglades
The Everglades is essentially an
agricultural territory The entire
justification for drainage rests upon
the assumption that the soil. when
drained, viii become valuable agri-
cultural land. The entire problem OF
reclamation will not be completely
solved until agriculture shall have
been placed upO ma sound and prof.
table basis. The solution of the prob
lem insofar as the removal of water
from the land is concerned is with
out further question. The establish
ment and conduct Of an agricultural
experiment station in the Everglades
for the purpose of studying and deter
mining agricultural needs becomes of
vital Importance to the development
and advancement of this constructive
enterprise. There will be presented
to your body proposed measure re-
commended by the drainage board for
the establishment of an agricultural
experiment station in the Everglades.
Our board recently made an in
spection trip through the Ever
glades, and we were deeply impressed
with its possibilities, its progress and
the amount of work accomplished. As
governor, do not feel that ! can im-
press on your honorable body too
strongly the Importance Of doing all
within your power to foster and en-
courage this great enterprise. For
the proposed bill to establish an ag-
ricultural experiment station, and for
other proposed measures on behalf of
the Everglades which will be present
ed by the drainage board, bespeak
your very earnest consideration.
The National Guard of Florida
The entire National Guard Of Flor
ida entered the federal service at the
beginning of the world war. During
the past three years there has been
pr actically no guard IN existence.
About year ago steps were taken to
reorganize the National Guard of
Florida. This reorganization has
gone steadily ahead, and at this time
the entire regiment allotted to Flor
ida has practically been organized
and equipped and is in fine condition.
More troops will be allotted to Flor
ida each year and the organization
will proceed until the entire allotment
will be organized by the end Of 1924
The total allotment to Florida will
amount to 1890 men and will cOnsti-
tute a splendid force for the protcc-
ton of the state and the United
States.
The necessity for maintaining a
strong, well-equipped National Guard
in the state of Florida as we'll as in
all other states of the Union must be
apparent to all thinking people. It
would seem desirable that a regular
army be maintained of sufficient size
to guard our borders. garrison our
insular possessions and form the nue.
leus for the organization Of a large
army in case of war, but it appears
now that the policy of Congress Is to
cut the regular army establishment
down to a minimum. This being true.
the organization of a strong National
Guard is more urgent than ever be-
fore. 1t is certain that the National
Guard will have TO be relied upon i'm
any sudden national emergency, as
we'll as emergencies arising within
the states.
The fine record of the Florida
troops is we'll known. They have
served efficiently in all wars, in the
face of adverse circumstances. And
they have always responded to any
call TO assist the civil authorities in
preserving the peace of the state.
This force can always be relied upon
in any emergency where the civil au-
thorities are in need of help, and this
fact has often been an important fac
tor in preventing trouble that might
have arisen otherwise. All assistance
possible should be given the National
Guard of Florida by the Legislature.
Riparian Rights
Along our streams, coast lines and
other navigatble waters, Florida has
an attractive and valuable asset in
her water front, or what we general
ly speak of as her riparian property,
large portion of which has passed
into the hands of property owners.
The legislature has from time TO time
enatced laws which affect certain Of
these riparian properties, and Of late
years some misunderstanding has de-
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