The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-09-01
vOx PoPULI.
PENSACOLA NEEDS A
MUNICIPAL WHARF

Editor Pensacola Journal
In apology for neglecting our water
front and not developing a greater
water traffic, we might offer that what
we needed most was a new railroad.
We are now assured Of new rail-
road, but still we meet with another
interest equally a important, possibly
of greater Importance.
This which now confronts US con-
stitutes the highest duty and greatest
opportunity of every citizen of Pensa-
cola-the creating and developing of a
healthy water traffic
1t is time now that Pensacola should
awaken to the fact universally known
that water transportation costs one
sixth of that by rail Think of how
much there is to be saved. Jackson
vile, Mobile and many other cities to
which Pensacola can be compared are
supporting steamship lines. Why can't
we?
If all of Pensac ola's present traffic
goes by rail the merchants are natur-
ally obliged to pay the higher rate.
You will say this difference is a small
consideration, and affects only the mer-
chant. Surely the consumer does not
pay these transportation taxes direct
~, but they are figured in the cost of
every thread OF clothing he wears and
every morsel of food eaten.
Aside from having regular freight
transportation by water from large
cities, what about passenger service,
the beautiful, healthful, dustIess and
less expensive way to travel? Is not
this an important feature?
Another important consideration is
that the greater part of Pensa cola's la
boring people are dependent on the
shipping in the bay for support. Then
If we are able to attract an increased
- fcin Y1C
from here will not that benefit Pensa-
cola? Both merchant and consumer
are dependent on the shipping for you
can easily tell on Saturday nights the
amount of work there has been.
The most important consideration Of
all is the Panama canal. How are we
prepared to meet it? If we intend to
figure In this advent it must be right
now that we take steps in a different
direction. We must bear in mind that
Mobile, New Orleans and other cities
of the gulf have equal advantages that
must be respected and that we are not
alone and without competition. PEN
sacola's harbor is her greatest asset
ana it cannot afford to be neglected.
On these lines I wish to ask will the
present wharf of Pensacola attract,
will 1t stamp us as a modern city, will
the present unloading of freight over
long planks as in primitive times sug-
geSL Staplllty and aggreSSlVeneSS. Con-
trast our wharves with those of a mod
ern city. Who is 1t who has seen our
wharves that has not said they destroy
the beauty of the city, and how many
doubt the safety Of using them in their
di1apidated state.
Pensacola, if she is to be a modern
city, must at least have one respectable
dock, and that by municipal owner
ship. We beautify our parks because
they are an ornament of the city, we
place wires underground for appear
ance, but we can permit an unsightly
wharf to remain unheeded which could
make a wealth of beauty.
A municipal dock cannot be COM
pared as an expense for identifying
the city, but moreover an investment,
for the wharf fees should not only sus-
tain it but pay dividends. An adequate
up tod date dock will suggest an enter
prising and aggressive spirit of our
people. We are proud of our harbor
with all its natural advantages, but
we should not have any restraint in
conducting strangers to it for fear that
our unsightly wharf will offend them.
Think of the prosperity ahead of
Pensacola with a municipal dock, a
full development of our water interests
and the Panama canal. Isn't 1t time
now that we begin to act.
IF. LOE.