The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-05-29

An extra session Of the Florida
legislature is a possibility. The move
ment has been launched by the Jack
sonville board of trade, which is will
ing to defray the expenses of q three
day session of the solons in order to
get through a new charter biz, giving
to that city the right to own and
operate city wharves.
The matter Of municipal docks has
been discussed in Pensacola by the
Commercial Association for several
months, and the matter is now under
consideration. If 1t is found that Pen
sacoia's charter does not give the city
the RIG Mt to operate wharves then PEN
sacol8 will Join in a movement to get
an extra session called to provide new
charters for all cities desiring them
where the municipal control of docks
1t desired. this session to ID at the
expense Of the state.
LETTERS TO REPRESENTATIVES.
The following is copy of the let
ters being sent out to the various rep
resentatives;
has adopted g policy of requiring port
cities to- own AID control docks and
terminals as g Condition upon which
appropriations will be made for the
develeament OF the harh or.
Tfsttchisf OF lie eng nee-ing depart
ment having put Jacksonville on no
tice that no more appropriations would
be recommended for this harbor until
she acquires and operates or leases
her own docks, warehouses and ter
minals in order that the state and
public at large might participate in
the benefits to be derived from such
appropriations, this board of trade ap-
pointed committee Of able business
and professional men to devise ways
Y7d n fhA ov-xr
docks and terminals for the city.
This committee has been at work
for about nine months and has gath
cred together much valuable data on
the subject.
One Of the first things they learned
was that the charges made for the
loading and dfscharg1ng Of ships and
the warehousing Of freight are a part
of the through rate for transportation,
and If these rates be high, or the SER
vice poor, the business seeks other
ports; thus it is seen that the terminal
charges or service can make or mar
port, this being the reason for the
policy adopted by the national govern
ment in requiring the port city to con-
troll its own docks and terminals.
1t was also discovered that thou
sands of tons of freight composed OF
Florida products, such as naval stores,
phosphate, cotton, etc, are now being
hauled through Jacksonville to an
other state for export because Jack
sonville has not the terminals and ia
cilities for handling this freight. This
should not be-F7orida products should
be handled through Florida ports.
We want your assistance to make
this an accomplished fact
Every moments delay in securing
the docks and terminals means a great
loss to the whole state as well as to
Jacksonville.
This board of trade, fully realizing
the importance Of this matter, will ad-
vance all money necessary to pay all
expenses of a special session of the
legislature, with the understanding
that no other measure except bill
which will make it possible for Jack
sonVille to acquire, and operate or
lease docks, warehouses, and terminals
and endorsed by this board, will be
considered, and that the meeting be
limited to three days. These condf-
tions you will agree are reasonable, rs
the expense of the session Is to be
paid by this board.
Feeling that you are willing to Co
operate with US in the protection and
upbuilding OF Florida commerce, we
ask your kind courtesy in signing and
returning to us the enclosed letter TO
his excellency, the governor OF our
state, which explains itself
We are,
Most respectfully yours,
JACKSONVILLE BOARD OF TRADE,
By GEO. L. DREW,
President.
H. H. RICHARDSON.
Secretary.
We most heartily acquiesce in the
above and request your favorable con-
sideration-
]. c. L'ENGLE,
Senator, Duval County.
FRANK z. CHASE,
Representative, Duval County.
J. TURNER BUTLER,
Representative, Duval County.
LETTER TO GOVERNOR.
The following is the letter which
representatives are asked to sign and
forward the governor:
Dear Sir: II having been brought
to my attention that special legisla-
ton is necessary for the development
and protection of Florida commerce,
and that with this end in view, the
port of Jacksonville desires a special
session of the legislature, to consider
a bill which win make it possible for
Jacksonville to acquire and operate or
lease docks, terminals and warehouses,
in consideration that the Board Of
Trade Of Jacksonville is to pay all ex-
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