The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1921-03-21
SHORT REUTERS
SEE OUR CITY
Visit Saturday From Their Motor
Party, On Their Way From
Columns to Orlando

The motor party representing the
Florida Short Route Association,
making the trip from Columbus, Ga,
to Orlando, Fla, reached Ocala- Satur-
day afternoon. The party was met
at Zuber, on the Dixie Highway, by
members of the Good Roads Com
mittee, and several other members of
the Marion County Board of Trade.
The visitors. travelling in two cars,
were held up at Zuber by rope
stretched across the highway. A
stop of few minutes was made to
get acquainted and to have a look
at the immense lime pit of the Florida
Lime Co.. Exchanging Seats in the
ears, the visitors and members of
the Board of Trade came into Ocala,
arriving here about one o'clock.
A luncheon was served the Short
Route party at the American Cafe.
A meeting was then held at the Board
of Trade Rooms, where brief address
es were made by Mr.. A. C. Blowers,
Chairman of the Good Roads Com
mittee, who welcomed the visitors to
0cala, Mr.. Leland ]. Henderson, Pres
ident of the Georgia Highway AS
sociatiop, Maj. Robert ]. Halpin, u. S.
Army of Camp Benning, and Mr..
Reuben Kyle, father of the Short
Route Mr.. Henderson stated that
an inspection had been made of the
Florida Short Route, from Nashville,
Tenn, to Lake City, Fla, its north
ern and southern terminus, and that
it had been found in good condition,
the entire distance. The party's
purpose in coming to Ocala. Mr..
Henderson said, was to make known
to motorists, this route north, which
he said is the best route available,
contemplated making Gainesville the
southern terminus of the route, in as
much as that is the first point from
which the east coast can be reached,
the road from Lake City to Jackson
vile being uncompleted. Mr.. Halpin
urged the Importance of good roads
from military standpoint. He ex-
pressed himself as impressed with the
quality of the road material available
in Marion county, and said that he was
amazed to see what had been done in
this part of the country, and to real
ize the great possibilities for develop
ments in this section. He told alse
of the infantry school at Camp Ben
ming, near Columbus, saying that the
School with its $4,000 acres, is the
largest in the southeastern United
States, and has a terrain-suitable for
the greatest number. At present, a
large number of infantry officers are
being trained at Camp Benning, under
conditions as nearly approaching act
ual warfare as is possible. Maj.
Halpin was overseas with the 80th
Division. He was then a Colonel.
Following the meeting at the Board
of Trade Rooms, the visitors were
taken to Silver Springs and shown
those wonderful waters through the
Glass Bottom Boat. The members
were agreed that the Springs were
the most wonderful sight they had
seen on the trip. The party then
returned to the Board of Trade
Rooms and left for Orlando at four
o'clock. The visitors expressed
themselves as delighted with Ocala
and with the reception, saying that
they had not expected an entertain.
ment.
The members in the Short Route
party were Mr.. Reuben Kyle. Father
of the Florida Short Route, LELAND
]. Henderson, President of the
Georgia Highway Association, Maj
Robert ]. Halpin, Camp Benning, L
D. Slaughter. s. w. Dudley, Johnnie
Crane, Mrs. L. C. Kyle and daughter
Jane, Mr.. Wilson M, Camp and J. r
Fitzpatrick, assistant secretary of tn,
Columbus Chamber of Commerce
The members of the Marion Count,
Board of Trade, who welcomed tn,
visitors were A. c. Blowers, E. E
Dobbs, E. c. Monroe, A. c. Cobb
Dr. ]. Walter Hood, C. G. Rose, L
H. Rose. L. III. Chazel Bruce Meffert
Chairman of the Board of Count,
Commissioners, was also among thos,
welcoming the visitors.