The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1921-02-09

fined largely to rigid and monoiithic
types of construction. but the future
is more likely to bring frward newer
types featuring elasticity and re
silency.
| realize that we have had to
greatly revise our methods OF road
building, due to the advent Of the au-
tomobile and the auto truck. but even
these new conditions can be success.
fully ME, by proper study OF the
problem. This has been done in Ger
tain localities by introducing surface
treatment to prevent the wear and
disintegration of the other materials
Other methods are being used sue
cessfully to accomplish the same
ends For many purposes where a
foundation is required, due to excess
sively heavy traffic. Florida materials
can safely be used in place Of the
more expensive concrete. Some Of
our best highways of today are those
that have been built on top Of old
roads made of clay or shell. During
the construction of this great system
of roads in Polk county, I often heard
Cll COldCIllll iuC uNC vi CIig
q foundation for sheet cement !
have since travelled over many miles
of your roads. and can testify that
they are among the best in Florida,
and fully demonstrate the possibili-
ties of this class of construction.
1t must be remembered that expert
ence in building Florida roads has
4n 70
persons. and no definite plan has been
suggested for assembling such data
as we have on the subject When
that shall have been done, we should
take full advantage of this knowledge
and apply it to increase the use of
our native materials.
We need critics but not destructive
criticism; we noed new ideas, but
more than all We need minds that can
apply the experiences of the past to
the necessities of today. Those few
suggestions are offered that they may
may direct your thoughts along the
line that will lead to a fuller appre-
citation of what the further develop
ment of our state should be and what
its future promises. | have often
thought how little use we make of
that great attractive force known as
magnetism The only use to which
he engineer puts it is to point his
compass through the Wilderness
Like this great force are ths wonder
full undeveloped resources of Florida
he engineer.
In conclusion. let me state that l.
is my opinion that we are approach
ing an epoch that will mark the great
est development our state has even
seen. One needs only 20 travel
through our great commonwealth to
realize that people are congregating
here from all points of the compass,
that they are bringing new ideas with
them, that they are creating new
businesses, and finding new uses for
Florida products.
Why did God give us these beautiful
lakes and rivers, these wonderful
springs and artesian wells, our great
diversity of soils, these vasa deposits
of clay. stone, and minerals, our
semi-tropical vegetation. and favored
climate? These people who have come
to us have felt the spirit of the real
Florida and are answering the call
to create and to develop. and there
is gradually being unfolded the true
reason why Florida is different from
any other spot on the globe.
Let the engineer guide and direct
these activities so that the develop
ment of our state shall equal in beau
tv the gifts God has lavished here and
the work of man be worthy of the
bounties from His hand.