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good roads talk and too little g od roads action. But,we are very largely to blame for that ourselves. Take the recent Jacksonville meeting,for an example. I induced the Clermont board of trade to send its secretary. He is one of those fellows who can't say a word on his feet and,as a matter of fact he can't say much at any time.
He came back complaining that the meeting was held for the benefit of Jacksonville at the expense of the reminder of the state.' I asked him why he didn't protest and his reply was that he didn't want to get in the way of the Jacksonville steam roller. It was a Florida meeting yet there were but 17 Florida communities represented and of the 100,odd,delegates on the floor more than 80 were representatives of Jacksonville clubs and associations—chamber of commerce,auto club.Kiwanis,Rotary etc. Nobody in the world to blame for our condition but ourselves. Too many weaklings in high place. Too much disposition to try to blame some other fellow for our own shortcmings.
I believe you have the right idea. I was sorry you were not at the Jacksonville meeting. You might not have secured anything for your self or for the western part of the state but you would have let the Jacksonville outfit know you were there and that you didn't like their rough stuff,if they were handing out rough stuff—I have only the word of our man who i3 not very well posted in such matters and who may be trying to alibi his failure to accomplish anything.
I have vjritten Mrs.Phillips suggesting that she do what she can to further the Tampa fair idea if only to attract attention to the OST. I haven't had time in which to receive a reply from her. I hope she will help us and,when she calls her conference,as suggested by you,we will get behind her if she needs any help in creating sentiment in favor of it.
I could U3e JO of the historical booklets if I had them.
I travel some and can distribute them where they will do the most good.
Trusting that I may stick around the state long enough to see you in action,fighting alumgators in the everglades,and trying to build good roads across the west coast swamps and making good at it believe me to be.
Yours very truly,
George H.Clements, j\