The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-09-04
GETTING DATA
. ON MUNICH
OWNED DOCKS
THE PENSACOLA COMMERCIAL
ASSOCIATION Is GATHERING
DATA CONCERNING THE TER
MINAL FACILITIES OF THE
UNITED STATES AND CANADA.

The Pensacola Commercial Assocfa-
ton is having a very thorough inves-
tigation made into the terminal facili-
ties of the ports of the United States
and Canada. especially with regard to
municipal control of docks, terminal
Facilities and belt railroad in connec-
ton.
This investigation includes the cost
Of modern docks and facilities and
methods of plans for financing their
construction.
II is hoped to have full report of
the matter available for presentation
TO PENSACOLA citizens shortly after Oc-
tober 1st. The plan will have been
worked out and ready to submit to the
people for consideration. Preparation
Tor the Panama business must be made
very largely before the Panama canl
is completed-when the lines of traffic
are once established, it will be hard to
change them
On this subject Secretary Hender-
son says:
The investigation so far makes alb
solutely conclusive the necessity of the
ownership and control of adequate
municipal terminal facilities by the
city of Pensacola. In this day of
progress and advancement, Pensacola
should not allow it's docks and belt
railroad to fall into the hands of ex-
clusively private parties.
Portland, Ore, Everett and Belling-
ham Bay, Wash, and Victoria, British
Columbia, made the great mistake of
allowing their water front to get into
the hands of private parties. Today
they are sorry for 1t, and when they
want to buy back a little of what they
once gave away, they are compelled to
pay fabulous prices for it. If these
northwestern cities are willing to spend
500 100000 to control docks and belt
lines, and are compelled to buy at
fabulous prices the land on which to
build these docks, other cities which
| own their water front should guard 1t
with great care.
Would Be Great Loss.
1T will be vital and great loss if
Pensacola does not have at least part
| of municipality controlled or owned
dock and belt railroad in operation by
the time the canal opens.
Tn the plan being provided to sub
| NIT to the people we hope to ac-
complish this result. However, the
| first essential point is that the dock
and belt railroad must be constructed
and operated for and in the benefit of
the city. of Pensacola. The docks and
belt line must be controlled and own
ed by the city. The plan to be pro-
posed will provide for the accomplish
ment of these results. The dock need
not be constructed all at one time, but
! in sections.
1.-THE financing Of the proposition
may be difficult one, but 1t should be
accomplished. It is necessary to place
the proposition in proper shape before
| the bonds are offered for sale in order
| that no delay may be occasioned and
no mistakes made. Cities Of the
United States and Canada have inno-
Gently made mistakes, the results OF
which they have been unable to shake
off. and which have cost them an i'm
mense sum of money and will con-
| tinue to do so.
| There is now feverish excitement
among southeastern railroads to make
| haste to form alliances, combinations
and traffic arrangements for the inter
| change of business when the canal
| opens. Railroad and steasmhip man.
ayers are meeting daily to make plans
for the interchange Of traffic. It took
them years to work out the traffic ar
rangements they are now operating
under, and all of these arrangements
are being upset because of the con-
struction of the Panama caral. Every
time a deal is closed that diverts bust
ness from Pensacola, it Injuries it just
| that much. We have no time to lose
The sooner we can assure railroad ane
steamship companies that we can sup
ply them with adequate facilities fol
the interchange of traffic, the more
business we will save to the city.
/ Cannot Be Delayed.
Investigation shows that 1t is pos
sible to rent in advance of the con-
struction of the wharf enough space
and concessions to secure paying
proposition from the day the dock viii
open. Steamship and railroad man
ayers cannot wait until the last min
ute to make preparations for the
opening of the canal. They must do Il
now. We probably can never tell just
/ what Pensacola has lost by reason OF
her having no municipal owned OIL
controlled terminal facilities for hand
fling business.
Construction of wharves, as well as
plans, are being noted. The modern
wharf today is a city within ITSELF
city with so to 100 business offices
These are occupied by men intereste:
in the shipping business. There are
waiting rooms, news stands, refresh
rnent booths. The rental from Al
these sources bring in an income thar
will make the wharf paying PROPOSE
ton.
Cheap and makeshift construction
will not do. The docks with the most
modern conveniences and labor sagins
devices will always take the business
from the docks with less superior ia
cilities. 1t is possible to build doch
that would more than pay expenses
and to build and equip II in such
way as to get the bulk of the busi-
ness.
1--WE are told that Pensacola is mos
fortunate in that the city is in the d.
rect line of commerce between tie
middle states and the canal. and thai
Hast harf9oy. IN the Goa St