The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1914-04-05
A PENSACOLA SPIRIT
AND THE SCHOOLS

Editor Pensacola Journal:
The news columns of your paper
show from day to day that the ousl-
ness men Of Pensacola have not only
analyzed the local commercial and
Industrial situation and are laying
plans to turn every favorable element
of it to account in their efforts TO
build substantial and continuing
prosperity for the city, but that they
are actually getting together for the
purpose Of carrying through the plans
that are being laid. Out of such CO.
operative efforts, If continued, must
come that one thing necessary for the
city to grow into it's best, a vigorous,
living, self absorbing Pensacola Spirit.
Once let the general public realize that
such a thing really exists and that the
basis of it is something more real
than sea foam, and much OF the lack
of faith now sometimes evident in
the conversations heard on the bust
ness corners and on the street cars
will be replaced by something more
optimistic. Such meetings as that held
in the auditorium Of the San Carlos
hotel the other night and the follow
ing meeting at the city hall the next
day will bring eventually rather con-
crete results if every man Will set
himself to thinking, pour his ideas into
| the melting pot, and be ready to help
carry out the suggestions and final
plans that come forth with the stamp
/ of the city's progressive and think
| ing men upon them.
At such a time mems minds turn
most readily to the development of
material resources and the more OBJ
vious means by which this comes, US
| able capital. easy money, confidence.
And these things are indeed necessary.
If the opening of the Panama canal,
the construction of municipal docks.
the opening of new lines of trade did
not bring these things, the city would
benefit scarcely a bit. But they will
bring other things-people, workers,
| skilled labor to fill the mills and fac
tories that our business men say we
need and must have. And with them
will come those men who will direct
the new Industries and reap many of
the large personal rewards that re-
suit. Unless our own young men are
ready, they will in many cases have to
stand aside. Why? The reasons are
many; but is not one reason this
that they are not prepared? And does
not preparation, In some measure at
Il least, depend upon school training!
And is not the fact that their school
training Is not more practical due in
a large measure to this that the edu-
cationa1 policy OF the general public
lacks certain correct standards as q
basis? The school board can do much
more II the people will enable them
This letter, Mr.. Editor, will not dc
more than outline one phase of this
matter I think it would be better il
some one who has lived among The
good people of Pensacola longer thar
, should develop 1t, but the idea, is this
. Along with every effort that the cit,
is making to develop itself and to real
the greatest rewards that can come Il
it with the commercial and indus
tia1 growth that cannot be kept alto
) gether away from us no matter how
hard we should try to keep them ava,
there must be weli-laid and CAREFUL,
administered plans for the remodel
, ling of the city's school system int
= something more practical and some
thing that will do more than give gu,
boys and girls mere book education. O
fit them for only one kind Of industrial
life, viz. office work.
= The beginning OF such plans is thu
, organization of g. city school system
with q local board Of trustees to lool
/ especially after the city schools, com
petent city-wtde supervision and tn
linking together OF the schools of tn
system, and the Willingness OF tn
people to pay q little more for thes
r things If they must necessarily cos
= more. The way for them to decid
the last matter is by looking aroun'
them at Mobile. Birmingham, New
= Orleans, Columbus, Atlanta and othe
cities and see what they and mum
bers OF others no larger than Pensa
cola. and with less actual resources
have done and think necessary to pro
vide the right kinds of training 70
c those who must either do the city