The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-05-02
VOX POPULI.
ALDERMAN BROWN TALKS
ABOUT RAILROAD FRANCHISES
Pensacola, Fla, Nav /, 1908.

Pensacola, Fla, May ], 1SOS.
Editor Pensacola Journal
Will you permit me to reply through
your valued paper to the letter of
Capt. Jos. c. Keyser under date Of
May I, asking information of me on
recent franchises Granted for rail-
purposes, also upon the bond PROPOSE
ton
1t was my intention originally to
offer other amendments to the fran
chises. but upon careful consideration
and talking with many citizens / have
come to the conclusion that We must
get a railroad. l realize the price is
high, the franchises valuable, ar@ all
that but is it not fact that We have
been trying to get railroad for over
twenty years? Is it not also a fact
that other cities around us have got
ten roads in the meantime? Is 1t not
true that in a business way the citi-
zens are now and have been practi-
eally living off Of one another? What
good Is our beautiful bay and valu-
able water front if 1t will not be made
to yield our people sustenance, work
or profit? We need other enterprises
and new people: we want to build up.
We want our people to have employ
merit 1t has been demonstrated TO
me that we must offer inducements
and large ones to get railroad. Shall
We sit by and admire our beautiful
water front for the next twenty years?
In the meantime, let our people who
have lived in hopes pass away with
out realization or benefit?
know We have one of the prettiest
bodies of water in the world. but l do
not believe the city authorities would
| be doing their duty to block progress
| and prosperity, because We are unable
to get financial people outside to ap-
nrafia To the TNdrer trUHC properly, tne
title is questionable, and the CITY
does not warrant ii. Individuals own
| all the properly on the hay lront
/ within the streets granted; II We Can
get a railroad some OF these peoPie
who now own a little home would be
r,-o1-+l, twice as much. AS to there
lheinp no other streets to the WaFel
front in the city, there are many pc
tween olivia street and the BIS
. Bayou. ,-or,
mo that we are nearer TO having TN
2 roads financed than ever before. an
aside from the advantages we gain 70
satt;nes the roads, work is TO oesl
before January list. 1909, when en-
G Dloyment will be given TO many OF on
c people and good times Will again
with US. -.
some $500. 900 or more has bee
8 spent by our citizens and others
an effort TO get a railroad. ano no
L ;fhev oniy ask to January 1st, 100
d and nrospects seem SO bright. a.
n In favor of encouraging them as M
as possible TO that time: when II
I" should fail. then ] hope we Will
n ready to take up the bonding matte
lie which in nv opinion would be u
hest proposition for the city. nrovld'
is If can be done. I know 1t would
as several years to do it. as the sta
IN constitution is against it.
~ NV proposition is however. TO DO
~ 1.-The civ and county for say S1.5On-O
of or enough to build road to Anda
nd cia upon a or per cent basis
nj lease it out upon an or 10 per ce
-. basis. II would be no cost to tax pS
~ ers and should in 20 years pay
~ itself the city and county would o.
the road bed and terminals, gettl
a revenue greater than any one
- cfty ever had. This would not
Il" like bonding for municipal imnro
RS, ments. il would be an investment
ne an asset.
we want to do the best for the C
,av and county
'as If 7 have not made myself clear
ga, anv reader, would be glad to n
es- from Won.
-. HUN l.. S. BROWN