The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1922-04-04

Commission in behalf of lower rates.
Later others joined in the fight and
by our persistence and agitation the
railroads were forced on Jan. 1 to
make reduction of 10 per cent on
fruit and vegetables. This means
about $50 saving on every carload of
fruit and vegetables from Florida. /
am urging further reduction. was
the first to urge the repeal of the tax
on freight and passenger charges.
The tax was abolished and lowers the
rate just that much. / rendered serv-
ices which aided the hard lumber peo-
pie in getting a freight reduction and
the railroads have promised a similar
reduction on yellow pine from the
South. have pending in the Senate
and am urging my bill requiring that
members of the Interstate Commerce
Commission be appointed from differ
ent geographical sections of the coun-
try. Again l say my critics may not
approve of my work for lover trans
portation charges, but they do not
/ voice the sentiment of the people of
Florida
CAS-. to Everglades drainage. AS
attorney general and as governor 1
was one of the men who kept this
project alive. We had rough shedding
but the project made considerable
progress during my term as governor
and it was during this time that tax
laws and bond issues were brought
about that assured the future of the
undertaking. There has been no bet
ter friend in Florida TO the Everglades
drainage scheme than myself. In the
Senate l begun, soon after coming to
Washington, a fight to get the federal
government to treat the drainage pro-
jects of the South with the same con-
sideration extended to the arid land
projects of the West. This was at
first opposed by senators from the
west, but with others have continu-
ously kept up the fight and as a re-
suit today we have before the Senate
with favorable report from the COM
nlittee bill covering the policies in
the main that have been urging. In
all probability the Senate will act fav-
orably on this measure during the
Ispring.
GAS to prohibition. About forty
years ago my father was one of the
pioneers in the prohibition movement
in Polk county, Florida. The lamented
John T. Lesley, of Tampa, one of the
noblest men who ever lived, and my
father were among the first temper
ance speakers in our state. When ]
reached manhood l followed in my
fathers footsteps upon this subject
As voter, as a public official l have
always been for prohibition and have
given every movement along this line
my active support. Most of the peo-
pie Of Florida know this. They know
my record will not suffer in com
parison with Mr.. Bryan's upon this
: subject. Why any one should prefer
: him to me on this question, do not
know, except that he is just recently
from Nebraska and has not been q
T citizen of Florida long enough to yet
= be a voter and on the other hand
t have lived in Florida forty odd year:
Y and been closely identified and con
= nected with the people of Florida anc
;. in close personal contact with theil
e interest all these years. I have NJ
: comment to make regarding Mr.. Bry
2 ans possible candidacy but viii no
;, longer permit my political enemies t.
e carry on a campaign against me with
e out having my say"