Palatka daily news. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1919-1994, 1922-02-01
Chamber of Commerce
To Join With Other
Cities
COM M|TTEE ENLARGED
May Be Made Issue In
Peninsular Florida
Fall Elections

Palatka will join with those cities
in the peninsular section of Florida
which will make an effort at the next
session of the legislature to remove
the state capital from Tallahassee to
a point as nearly as possible to the
center of population and transporta-
tion, according to action taken last
night at the meeting of the Chamber
Iof Commerce when the capital re-
moval committee was increased from
five to seven members, the addition
al members to be appointed by the
president.
Chairman C. E. Rowton, of the cap
ital removal committee, advised the
Chamber that he would not be able
to serve, due to the pressure of other
matters and the condition of his
health. A successor will be appointed.
1t was pointed out at the meeting
last night that capital removal will
depend very largely on the personnel
of the next legislature, a majority of
the members of which will be elected
this year. Both the house and SEN
ate will be increased in membership,
the new members coming to the PEN
insular, the most thickly settled por-
ton, of the state, under the reap
portionment amendment to the con-
stitution which will be voted on in
November. This amendment pro-
vides that the legislature shall be re-
apportioned in 1928 and if it fails
that the governor shall call a spec
ial session for the purpose of reap
portionment. But the amendment
does not provide for the method of
selecting the added members, of when
they shall take office, the general
presumption being that they will go
into office, under a legislative act,
at the next session. If this is the
case it is highly probable that the
next legislature will not have suf-
ficient membership in favor of cap
ital removal to pass measure sub
mitting the removal to the people.
To Preserve Tabernacle
1t was also unanimously voted last
night to make every effort to save
the Johnson tabernacle for use by
the school children as a gymnasium
and community center. President
Merriam will name a committee to
cooperate with similar committees
from the Woman's Club, Kiwanis
and Rotary in an effort to see that
the building is preserved until such
time as it will be necessary to tear
away to construct the new high school
building.
Secretary Hart, reporting for the
new industries committee, stated that
several propositions by business firms
desiring to come here had been taken
care of and that within a short time
at least two of these will begin op-
erations here. One of these is a
large manufacturing plant that will
employ large force of skilled labor
making heaters for business houses,
residences and fruit groves.
The housing problem was discussed
at length, the necessity for securing
more accommodations for any of the
new enterprises which the Chamber
is now endeavoring to bring here be- !
ing stressed by nearly every one
present. 1t was stated that there is
a movement on foot here now to
start building and loan association
with possibility of success of organi-
zation. With building material down
to practically pre-war prices it was
claimed by some that houses at pres
ent rentals and sales prices will be
highly profitable investments. The