The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1922-05-23
HOLD TO WHAT WE HAVE

For many years Polk county has had the
reputation throughout Florida of being among the
most progressive from an agricultural standpoint
of any of her sister counties This has not been
due entirely to the richness OF the sell nor yet to
the intelligence and industry of those who till
Mother Earth and who plant vineyards and orange
groves. Credit is due in great measure to the
program of farm demonstration work carried on by
successive boards of county commissioners Practl-
cal advice from the agricultural department of the
University Of Florida backed up with actual dem
onstratons of what can be done for the farmer
and grower to improve conditions and always take
a step forward have combined to set up Polk
county as a model. Publicity resulting from this
:. program has been OF untold benefit Without UNI
duly prasing the man in charge of this branch of
public service, William CONNIE it is fair to him to
say that he has not been paring of energy in carry
ing on the work thoroughly and successfully. Along
with the aid extended to the farmer and trucker
there has been developed well-thought-out system
of publicity which has sought to interest people who
would make good residents of Polk and add to the
these activities in mind there would to be little
reasonable ground for abolishng department that
has proved of such great worth to the people of
Polk Comment to this effect in the columns of
the Lake Wales Highlander has brought forth
editorial expression from the Jacksonville Times
Union whose views in this connection are worth
considering. That paper says, under the caption,
Advertising Polk:
he Polk county commissioners, according to
the Lake Wales Highlander are considering the
matter of abolishing the county's publicity depart
ment That very estimabe, foraard-looking Polk
county newspaper enters dignihed protest. saying:
This paper does not believe this would be
wise and hopes the board will not take such step.
Instead, in cur opinion the expenditure for public
ity-there is none for advertising though there
should be-ouqht to be increased instead Of de-
creased. Polk county Is by no means finished
product and there are thousands of persons who
could be induced to settle en- thousands of acres of
our fertile lands if the matter was brought to their
attention. AT present the publicity department is
combined with that of the county agent and Mr..
Connie makes tremendous effort to handle both
to advantage The Highlander believes he is
successful. Publicity for Polk realty ought 10
be a separate department with plenty Of funds,
but if that is net advisable it should be maintained
on the present basis. especially when there is
man like CONNIE available with the diversified abil-
ity to handle both jobs we'll.
1.-The Highlander. in what is above quoted, ex-
presses that which will meet with the approval of
all who have at heart the continued advancement
of Polk county. To stop, or unreasonahly limit,
the advertising Of what Polk county has to offer
people everywhere, an abundance of most excel
lent advantages. agriculturally, horticuturaly and
industrially, would prove fatal. in that with the
stopping of advertising Of Polk county would come
a very certain stoppage of that countys progress
and prosperity.
For saying this there is mass of the very best
evidence. facts. Just to illustrate. Many years
ago certain man, who became known nationally,
put on the market a certain commodity which.
through advertising. came into enormous demand 1t
proved to be something of real value. The people,
through liberal, extensive and continuous advertis-
ing, were made acquainted with its merits and
bought generously of the advertised product max
ing of the producer a millionaire. He continued to