The Pensacola journal., 1907-06-16
VOX POPULI
Mr.. Stillrnan on the
Proposed Franchise

Pensacola, Fla, June Is, 1907.
Editor Pensacola Journal:
1t is with much reluctance that |
oppose any suggestion of The Journal
and as well that place my OWN views
in print But | have seen SO much,
during my residence in Pensacola OF
the disposition to overestamate the
value of the natural conditions that
the place has been favored with, by
many of its citizens, that | am con
strained 10. say a word of protest tC
your editorial iii this mornings Jour
nal on the proposed railway Ordi-
nance"
L admit that any franchise from a
city has probable value, whether ii
be New York, Milton, Flomaton or
Pensacola, but the actual service that
such a system as the Pensacola Elec-
1c Co. are ready, willing and able
give to the city, by the proposed
extensions of their lines. has also a
value to the citizens of this city. and
that value is definite and actual
while the value Of the franchise is
prospective and speculative, TO a de
gree at least
Just as the value of our great har-
Dor, the deepest and safest on the
gulf, etc" and it's necessity TO the
commerce of the world has been
prOphesied and exploited for many,
many years past, and by many people
too, who now sleep in their graves,
so the franchises that our city may
grant, depend for their value upon de
velopment.
SO carefully has our harbOr been
guarded and its prospective value ap-
preciated by our people. that up to
date, the long looked for event of
some outsiders breaking in and get
unS some of the benefits, by building
railroads to il. has been no more or
less than pleasant dream. We still
have the same number of railroads to
our city and our bay, as have Milton
and FIOmaton, above mentioned And
the sad fact is true that if nature
should close up the bay of Pensacola.
the commerce of the world would go
on and never know the difference.
The value of our bay and the value
of our franchises, in my Judgment. de-
pend upon their development along
the lines of commercial exploitation.
Too little has been lone towards en-
couraginS the development and explOi-
tatiOn of beth.
Fortunately as regards our street
car system, il is owned by peOpIe
able and willing to do things We
are that much ahead of some other
towns. If they are willing 10 take the
chances to spend their money and
make improvements that give us facil
tiles that Will be Cf present material
benefit 10 us, let's take the chances on
letting them make some money in the
future. and take our benefits while
we are living.
The extension to Goulding and the
EXCHANGE of the entrance from the
navy yard. the forts. and our bay
shore people. into Pensacola. from
the present line through the back
yards of the tenderlCin. to the clean
and wide Garden street, is something
that should not be delayed by theo-
reucal and speculative suggestions.
Let's not be so critical tnat we cut
on our noses TO spite our faces
think, with you, that the street
car company should be required to
run their cars on the proposed lines
later than ten O'Clock. and believe this
feature should be changed IN the fran
chise 10 such a later hour as would
be fair TO the public and the COMPANY.
Please don't insist on making a
park in the middle of Garden street
A park in the middle of Garden street
prevents the necessary interchange
OF traffic across the street to make a
business street
And If anybody, corporation 0.