The Pensacola journal., 1908-12-17


at Pensacola as men could work here
every day in the year
w. S. Keyser said the people of
New Orleans were also taking the
matter up and the impression there
seemed to b. that Secretary Newber-
ry was not opposed to the Gulf Coast
yards but simply wanted to build the
Guantanamo station before spending
any more money on them. He refer
red to the fact also that Guantanamo
would be a very difficult place to de-
fend.
James M. Muldcn then offered the
following resolution, which was unan-
inously adopted:
MuIdon's Resolution.
"That the Chamber OF Commerce
at once write to the various boards of
trade in the larger Southern cities.
calling their attention the the fact
that the general board of the navy in
Washington have determined on rec
ommending the expenditure of large
sums of money for the purpose OF es-
tablishing and fortifying a naval base
at Guantanamo, Cuba, and in addition
advocating the expenditure of little or
no money on the various navy yards,
particularly in the south. While we
do not know how the general board
arrived at this conclusion, it would
seem hardly possible that there is not
in some suitable part of ,he United
States a location which would serve
as well from geographical stand
point.
Against the establishment of this
naval base in Guantanamo could be
reasonably urged the fact that il is
in a foreign country, would be diff
cult to defend, fortify, man and pro-
vision in case of war, and would be
entirely cut of from all base of sup
Iply. Hinge sums would sooner or
later be spent in a foreign country,
giving employment and profit to for
eigners, rather than to citizens of the
United States, that it is in the earth
quake zone, and no doubt many other
arguments could be advanced. The
arguments in favor of the establish
ment of the naval base in this coun-
try would naturally be the contrary
of the above, and there no doubt are
many other arguments wlich could be
advanced in favor of it. and included
in the letters written to the various
boards of trade.
THAT the chamber of commerce
also send strong letter to each of
our representatives in congress, with
a request that they take the matter
up as strongly as possible. Inasmuch
as the Secretary OF the Chamber of
Commerce is i'll, and no delay should
take place, the chair should appoint
a committee of three to put this mat
ter in the proper shape at the earliest
possible moment"
On motion the l. and N railroad
snd the Stone and Webster Syndicate
We're invited to use their influence
to aid the movement.
Taft Thanked PenSacolians.
Mr. McGourin said that he and
Senator Taliaferro had called upon
President-elect Taft wien in Washing
ton and he invited him to go via
Pensacola in his trip to the canal, but
that Mr.. Taft said that inasmuch as
he had once made the return trip
through Pensacola he felt it due to
other ports that ne should take an
other route this time. He did, how
ever, extend his thanks to the people
of Pensacola for their invitation.
Vice President Wentworth thanked
Mr.. McGourin for his good work while
in Washington. The meeting then
adjourned and Vice President Went
worth appointed the committee an
nounced above.
The committee will meet in the
Chamber OF Commerce rooms at IL
O'Clock this morning, TO take up the
important work for which it is Gre
'ated and will be glad to, have sug-
gestions from every citizen who is in
terested in the permanancy and de-
veiopment of the PensacoIa navy
yard.