The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1921-05-18

has made some rapid strides in the
year Just closed, in much of which
the Chamber of Commerce has had
primary part. So far as the work
done by and the results obtained are
concerned, the Chamber Of Commerce
has accomplished very much more the
past year than in perhaps any twu
previous years of its history. and it.
has done this with less cost to those
supporting the institution. In part
explanation of this fact it may be
borne in mind that the harvest of
much previous planting, especially in
the previous year, has been gathered
during this past year. Our records
show that among the large number
Of settlers located here during the
twelve months last past, by far the
greatest number are of those with
whom we have been corresponding
for more than year. And it is this
location in this vicinity of so large a
number Of settlers which constitutes
perhaps the most important results
in development for which the Cham
her of Commerce primarily exists. SO
far as our records go and which cover
emily the. data regarding the location
of those with whom we have person
ally and officially come in contact by
correspondence and personal effort,
we have to our credit three hundred
and twenty-five families whom we
have brought to or assisted in some
way in locating in Lakeland or tho
immediate vicinity. Most OF this
number are today helping to develop
Lakeland's splendid back country
which is doing so much to make
Lakeland the thriving town it is
some are engaged in mercantile or
other commercial pursuits, some in
industrial lines, others in professions!
activities, While goodly number are
recorded as people who have retired
from active business and are here to
enjoy res. and climate and a relief
from the rigors OF the north with the
means they have acquired and
brought with them Reliable Stats
lies estimate the average wealth each
new family brings to a locality to b.
5i,500.00. Taking this as a Easis the
Chamber of Commerce has brought
Utmost half a million dollars of new
during the past twelve months.
AS a matter of fact, the actua
figures within our own knowledge go
FAR beyond this because a good many
of these new settlers are people of
large means.
Some Of the other accomplishments
Of the chamber may be mentioned as
follows:
Leading a strong and successful
fight fol the retention of our County
Agricultural Agent.
Through the Rural Affairs Bu-
reau, led a strong delegation to Sc.
cure legislation regarding the Black
Fly Neutrality-suspicious. secured.
Assisted materially in securing the
location of axe hande factory here
which unfortunately was last week
destroyed by fire, but will soon be
rebuilt
Assisted materially in carrying 8
district road bond election for the
completion OF the Foxtown road t.
Lake county to the north and the
widening of original road so far az
built.
Secured pledge CT State Highway
! Department TO make Lakeiand-FoX
town road a state aid read.
Secured a subscription CT $2,70(
from business men and others tc
carry on a years advertising cam.
paign.
Entertained a representative dele.
cation of the Manufacturers and
Wholesale Merchants Board of the
Cleveland Chamber of Commerce.
Entertained the National Editorial
Association (about four hundred
newspaper cGitcrs from all over the
Icountry) from which we are now re-
ceiving wonderful results in the way
of publicity.
On January 10Th, Southern College
was destroyed by fire and on this day
Il message of sympathy and offer OF
assistance was sent from the Cham
Der in the name of the city.
Brought the county school board,
the local board and our State legisla-
tors together for the purpose Of
tEreshing out matters seriously af-
iectinG our schools and the lack Of
proper housing equipment.
Bought the old Galloway property
adjoining the Auditorium on South
Massachusetts avenue with the ulti.
mate idea of building a Chamber of
Commerce home.
Secul cd the big convention of the
Florida State Horticultural Associa~
ton for next summer.
After three months persistent,
painstaking effort on the part of the
committee appointed by the member
ship council Of the Chamber of Com
merco, the trustees of Southern Col
eye voted to accept the offer of site
and subs: antisl sum OF money to
rebuild the college at Lakeland.
In addition TO these majcr and very
r2ny CHER minor activities from day
- day the office has the following
record:
Letters received during year. 1909
Letters sent on. during year. 6,42S
Booklets and other literature
sent out .................. II ,434
Persons interviewed ....... 5,724
assisted in housing ....... 1888
A ny s.iV ho.