The Washington herald., 1909-01-31

G. Grosvenor Dave, managing director
OF the Southern Commercial Congress,
was the principal speaker on Tuesday
last at the annual banquet OF Pensa-
cola's chamber OF commerce He has
strong words Of praise for that city. He
sends the following to The Washington
Herald. descriptive of-the city and the
banquet:
The past year has been one Of achieve
ment in Pensacola along the lines Of civic
pride. The Arst, but perhaps not the
most noteworthy. evidence OF this was
the prompt raising Of some hundreds Of
thousands Of dollars for modern hotel.
Less than a year ago the subject was
broached. All details nave been worked
oct. and the clearing OF the site began
last Monday. The erection Of a hotel
is not uncommon. The unique feature
in Pensacola is that the money sub
scribed cannot. during the term OF the
present lease, make any cash returns to
the subscribers. There Is where the
civic price shows forth. The pledges
were FOR Pensacola and not for per
sonal benefit
The location OF the hotel is superb
al the junction OF Palafox and Garden
streets. immensely broad ways that viii
lend themselves 70 park-like treatment
Matter OF Civic Pride.
The men Of Pensacola rightly congrat-
uiate themselves on this piece Of work.
and II was cheered every tine Il was
mentioned during Tuesdays banquet
The most significant Indication OF Pen
sacola's sure and solid future was not
referred to at all yet the importance Of
il viii be Immediately realized when It is
explained. Last spring a disgraceful and
murderous outbreak terrorized the city
for DAYS in connection with a street-car
strike The abyss OF disorder yawned TO
swallow all law. Lives. liberty, and the
rights Of property were assailed BY the
restless elements 4 few strong men rose
10 the occasion when the fun seriousness
Of the outbreak was understood. and de-
termined on law and or, CT al any Per
sonal cost. Their stand rallied others.
and IN few days Sos atizcns stood
shoulder 10 shoulder against al sawleSs-
ness As they were from all walks Of
life the city felt at once the influence
OF sanity as against the influence OF
unreasOning Quarrels and bOycotts. It
was a splendid proof OF Pensacola S
souudness. and as the organization re-
mains in existence and can be vivified at
any time OF public need. II viii have vast
influence upon Pensacola's forward move
ment as an important Gulf city
Their Influence Felt.
One incident may be mentioned as
showing the effectiveness OF the 800 As
an outcome Of the struggle and riots. a
few serious efforts 70 boycott various
business men had occurred. The forces
OF law and order then swung patronage
to the boycotted houses and broke the
boycotts at once. The civic temper Of
Pensacola is therefore seen to favor all
rights OF all men within the law. and
to oppose the false assumption Of rights
that fnds an expression in disorder. This
seems to be justly entitled to comment
as safe ground for a greater Pensacola.
"The more visible elements OF q city's
growth and pride are the streets. Within
a few days Pensacola has let a contract
fer $4,000 square feet Of permanent side
walks. Averaging the width OF six feet.
this means 105,6S5 Hneal feet, or twenty
miles. This is a noteworthy act
Ten Miles of Paving.
Another is approaching a contract for
ten miles Of street paving. al Increase
Of 2.90O per cent on existing paving, which
is about one-haif mile The new project
viii show a gridIron OF improved streets
in place Of one short strip.
Pensacola is moving fast, and it is
rising to power, based upon endeavor OF
her own. In 1883 Pensacoia's taxable
value was S1.750.000 II 1908 its taxable
value was S12S7s, ,1S5. Special reference is
made 70 1888. because it was in that
year that white domination became as
sured.
Public spirit is much in evidence in
Pensacola The leading men now realize
that there has been a tendency hitherto
70 rely upon the advantages given by
deep water and a protected harbor and
not TO indulge in personal effort to build
the city This laissez faiTe policy is now
at an end and there is the strongest
spirit Of united effort among commercial
leaders Of the city. which effort finds its
voice in the chamber of commerce"