The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1921-09-30
Tiel0s Of Ndtiue Regarding
He-Up Of o. Y. Railroad

the Arst assistance the two counties.
nave ever been able to give to this
valuable section Of country.
Now, it is, that all counties and
the states. are straining every posi-
bic means to build good roads and In
vlte settlers and investors, and now
| Il IS that one of the finest tracts of
land in Florida, with good prospects
near in sight is threatened with de-
sertion and desolation as result of
railroad troubles that should never
have been allowed to exist.
The threatened dismantling of the
railroad shows clearly that few New
York capitalists have been given the
inside tract and their aim is to scatter
destruction and desolation in their
wake in order to satisfy their own
selfish interests. In such an event.
the people of the state will be refused
the protection of the state that they
have every right to demand and ex-
pect, and the benefits will be handed
over tc the New York capitalists who
have nc calm on our state and care
nothing fer it. The people will not
accent excuses for this Excuses will
never recover to them their losses.
The lame excuse to dismantle the
road. that it was not paying expenses,
viii not stand investigation. This was
tried olt during the tie-up four vars
$50 and Cnly resulted in showing up
the railroad company in their well-laii
plot 10 kill the roads business to gain
permission from our state to destroy
the road
There is absolutely no excuse for
this read not being profitable if man
aged win that end in view, ard that
IS muea letter than the average from
ali oYer the q. S. which shows II be-
ieve1 only about half of them pay
4 ig at present.
The aght has all been waged thus
| far between the bond holders and re-
5ceigsa and the peoples condition has
not seemingly been considered.
We stood this trouble in the tie-up
four years ago in silence, it is about
time fer We, the people, the real sui
ferers in the conflict, to raise our
voices IN cur own defense If our
Sigh efheefs whom we have elected
to represent us, and whom we expect
to protect Us. do not come forward and
show themselves on our side and de-
fena euT interests when our all is at
ssaige, Trey need not ever try to Of
fsr excuses. We want nothing short
fof results
With the railroad sold and dismantl-
led there would be tax debt satisfied
for one time and that ends it all
With ths railroad continuing there
viii be Il continued tax income from it
and much larger income from the
farmers along the line which IS sure
to increase steadily.
While this and other questions Of
dispute are being thrashed out in the
courts, the people who have settled
here in good faith, tthe sons of toll
and hardships1 who have faithfully
I done their part, are caught between
the lines OF battle and held there to
sustain the brunt Of the injury from
both sides.
! The whole thing in nut shell is, if
the people interest are to be taken
care OF we must have the railroad az
common carrier and have it record
ed as a permanent road so that we
can launch out in the broad field Of
OF improvement and accomplishment
The writer has seen and talked TO
large number of peole along this
line and has heard from many more
and has not found single instance
where man has not agreed in this
matter. He therefore has good reason
to believe that he is expressing the
wishes of the people in making known
these sentiments. He has no desire to
censure or accuse but gnly hopes to
enlist every possible influence and help
for t he people along the line Of the o.
/ ". r. r. in both Putnam and Marion
counties.
/ beg to be considered faithfully
yours for the welfare and justice of
the people. G. ]. RAST.
MRS. I. S. HOLLY. or coNNoR