The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1909-11-23

By meeting every requirement or
w. II. Btckers, promoter OF race
tracks for the Eastern Racing Circuit
PensacOla's live business men were
given reasonable assurances last night
that there would be established in
Pensacola or vicinity a track meet
which would bring to this city thous-
ands of people during each meet;
which would result in the expenditure
of upward of half a million dollars
during the meet; which would make
hotel room at premium, and which
would infuse new life and energy in
the city and section that would do
the city more good than anything that
has been proposed for years.
The proposition for the establish
ment of q race track here hinged
upon the transportation question.
The Packard Land Company and as
sociates had made an offer OF S25, 0OJ
to the Stone & Webster Company to
build a track to the chosen race
course grounds. That proposition, go
far as the cash was concerned, was
turned down by Manager Warren OF
the Electric Company last night, be-
cause he said his company did not
want the gift. Then a proposition
was made that the track be built by
company only during the days of the
race meet. That proposition was
more favorable, and while Mr.. War
rem could not give the committee
which held a conference with him 4
final answer, he gave them reasona-
BILE assurances that the company
would not only agree to that pTopO-
sitiOn, but in case the line proved a
profitable one, the company would
take it from the hands of the build
ers just as soon as the profitable
operation of the same developedSs That
was more like business, and the track
is now an assured fact.
EVERYTHING AGREEABLE.
Every point made by Mr.. Bickers
has been met and inside of the next
half year, some of the fastest OF
horses are scheduled to appear here.
Mr.. Warren met a committee named
by the chair after the meeting held
in the Chamber OF Commerce rooms
had adjourned. Citizens, or more
properly speaking, large land owners.
asked the cost of construction Of the
line as proposed. Mr.. Warren be-
Iieved that it could be done for S1S,-
900. Now as to its operation after
being built, Mr.. Warren gave the as
surance that the company would do
so, the transfer system being made
use of. The line is 20 be built as an
extension Of the present West Hill
line, proceeding. northwest for one
and one-half miles to the chosen
site. The money was pledged and
that met the requirement of Mr.. Bick-
ers. That assured the track.
INTEREST IN MEETING.
MT. Bickers, the Louisville, KY,
man who proposed 20 place the raco
track here on condition that a car
line was built, had to leave foi Tam
pa, having business there which
would necessitate his presence not
later than Thursday ofS1his week Be
fore he left, however, he addressed
letters to Mr.. Owen, OF the Owen !
Clark Company, and Mr. Lannon, OF
the Merchants Association In these
be stood by his proposition, and in
the letter to Mr. Owen said that he
would consider no other site than the
one selected, known as the Ira Howell
place, one and one-half miles north
west of the city. By previous ar
a meeting was held at the
Chamber of Commerce rooms last
night and was attended by an enthus- ]
astic lot of Pensacolians and a few !.
boosting visitors About the most /
central figure in the proceedings was !
Manager AlVa Warren, Of the Elec- !
-ric company, who answered all Ques-
tons with a directness that spelled I
business. Before the meeting had
proceeded far il was seen that all .
CONTINUED on Page TWo.)