The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1913-03-30
SUNDAY. MARCH 80. 1913.
Taft's Unjust Customs
Reorganization" Order.

The REIMBURSEMENT OF the customs
service OF the country. and especially
affecting Florida, has been repudiated
by the city which has been made the
Beneficiary in Florida OF this order by
the retiring president. making Jack
sonviIle the customs headquarters FOR
the state.
Palpably unjust and unreasonable
was the order issued by President Taft
to make Tampa, Key West, Pensacola,
and other seaport cities OF Florida sub
sidiary to Jacksonville. 3 nort whose
relative standing, according to govern
ment figures, does not entitle it to be
made the headquarters of the customs
district Of Florida
There are several cities in this state
whose importance as export and i'm
port ports far exceed that of Jackson
VILE. 1t Is but fair to ask why should
Pensacola, for instance, be placed, as
far as the federal government is con-
cerned. as an OBSCURE and remote
port of the south, while Jacksonville,
without the hope of ever attaining the
nature has blessed this city, has been
made the principal customs port, and
that city ranking fifth in Importance
as TO its exports and imports?
The Jacksonville Board OF Trade, one
of the leading commercial organiza-
olutions repudiating the Taft propa-
ganda, appreciating that its inaugu-
ration would be a gross injustice to
Tampa, Pensacola, Key West and
other seaport cities which have every
normal and natural right to expect at
of the federal government as has Jack
sonville. The retiring president had
some motive in turning the trick on
the eve of his farewell to the White
House, but Just what 1t was has not
been disclosed by his friends. nor by
himself. 1t may be possible that Mr..
Taft had no especial love for Florida
and this last act in reference to the
customs service was a parting shot to
show how very much he loved 1t not.
The Jacksonville Board of Trade
realized the unfairness Of this late
move to make all other Florida sea-
coast cities subservient and subsidiary
to that city and felt 1t but just and
right that that organization pass the
following resolutions, in justice to
those proud Florida seaport cities that
have been. and are up to this good
the hope of it's future.
A section of the resolutions passed
by the Jacksonville Board OF Trade
reads as follows
IF the present customs service re-
organization plan Is put into effect 1t
will be an industrial calamity to Tam
pa For years the citizens have fos-
tered and encouraged the cigar indus
try, with land, with buildings, with
money. Nearly 10000 of Tampa.s citi-
zens are interested directly or indi-
rectly in the industry of handmade
clear Havana cigars. If 1t becomes
necessary for the cigar manufactures
to take matters Of Importance to head
quarters every time that their business
demands (Which matters are now set
tied at the Tampa custom house by
collector of customs) the expense OF
the trip to Jacksonville and return. the
delay incident TO the transaction, etc,
would eventually drive the manufac-
turers from the city"
II there is to be but one customs
district in the state the headquarters
should by all means be located at
Tampa. There is no reason, however.
for reducing all OF F7orida's important
seaports to a position OF subservience
to one other port. The business at
Tampa. Key West. Jacksonville, and
Pensacola in each case justifes a sep
arate district and congress should
revoke the present order and make at
least four districts in the state.
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