The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1922-03-02
Never Was a Time in the History Of
The County When Live, Strong
Trade Body Was So
Necessary

Marion County Chamber of Commerce
will start an intensive campaign for
members and for funds for its 1922
23 budget. Membership committees
are being appointed for every section
of the county. Every effort will be
made to obtain the largest member
ship the organization has ever had.
The constitution of the organization
has been amended to provide for the
membership of women. Members will
be sought on a basis of permanency.
Not for year or two, but until re-
moval of the member from the county
or until his or her resignation is ten
dered in writing. This will be done
for the purpose of doing away with
yearly membership campaigns.
If there ever was time when there
was a need to push Marion county, it
is now. With the completion of the
Dixie Highway and state road No. 5
thru the county, new tide will
sweep the county forward. Marion
county is the greatest county in Flor
ida and it is up to it's people to dem
onstrate this fact. 1t will require CO.
operation and it will require money.
The rest of Florida acknowledges that
Marion county is the greatest county,
but says that the people of Marion
county themselves do not know it. The
rest of the state says that Marion
county is not making the best of its
natural advantages and resources.
What is going to be the answer to
this?
A statement has been prepared CIV
ing the reasons for the existence of a
commercial organization. The Mar
ion County Chamber of Commerce is
the only organization of its kind in the
county. The statement contains list
of achievements during 1922, a
financial statement and budget and
program of work for 1929 as adopt
ed at meeting on Feb. 23rd.
Following are some of the achieve
ments of the Chamber of Commerce
during 1922:
Published what has been conceded to
be one of the best illustrated booklets
gotten out by any city or county in
Florida. An edition of 1880 copies
was printed One of the most promi-
nent agriculturalists and development
agents in the United States told an
outsider recently that the booklet is
the best piece of advertising for COM
munity and county development he
has had knowledge of in his expert
ence. Other highly complimentary
letters are on file in the Office.
Published three issues of the "Mar-
ion County Floridian" containing out
standing news articles of Ocala and
Marion county.
Prepared and had published more
than 239 news articles, totalling more
than 1900 column inches; and this last
figure should be multiplied several
times, as most of the articles were
published in four newspapers. Many
favorable editorials have resulted and
many of the articles have been re-
printed and given wide circulation.
Furnished photographs and rata for
railroad tourist folders.
Arranged an extension of the white
way in Ocala's business district. The
white way was installed as the result
of the initiative and activity of this
organization.
With the cooperation of the county
agricultural agent, gathered and pub
lished the first part of a series of
statistical articles on the agricultural
crops of the county, thus making the
information available in printed form
for the first time.
Co-operated in entertaining the
State Farmers Union, Florida State
Optometrical Association, the Florida
State Swine Growers Association and
"Post Card. Day" visitors from the
midwest.
Co-operated in the establishment
of the Marion County Creamery.
Was elected to membership in the
United States Chamber of Commerce.
Co-operated with cities along state
road No. in a successful effort to get
construction started. The bond issue
for this highway and road No. thru
Marion county resulted from a cam
paign conducted by this organization
in 1920.
Arranged for a free lecture on ad-
vertising.