The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1915-04-02
The City Commissioners Should Now
Build the Dock and Belt Line Railroad.

little over two years ago the voters OF Pensacola
those owning property and thus qualified such
matters expressed themselves the polls in favor oil
bonding the city for 100000 with which TO build dock
and belt line railroad Al that time these consider
ed for the advancement OF Pensacola as port
and the vote heavily in favor IF bonds.
Before the bonds could be advertised for sale cond-
tons which caused the commissioners deem it
inadvisable 10 attempt sale For time there seemed
to be cloud the subsequent election for commits
soners which might have caused the bonds to bring
lower price than they otherwise would aud the commits
soners. possibly wisely, withheld any action towards
making sale.
Later on after these matters had been adjusted the
bond market became depressed and then tie European
war came along. causing further depression and the
commissioners possibly wisely decided that TO attempt
IA sale would be an illogical move and 20 market the
bonds would be to sell them a sacrifice.
Now. however, all OF these conditions have been
moved There IS no cloud on the bond issue and the
bond market stronger especially Tor municipal issues
than It has been for many years Penacolas issue OF
100000 could be sold at par possibly better figure
II offered IN western cities and properly advertised Ev
ery obstacle has been removed and buyers eager due
10 the scarcity OF municipal bonds to bid on the issue
The city commissioners have possibly had plausible
reasons for not acting before but they have
The commissioners should sell those bonds and
build the dock and belt line railroad the people de-
sired They should delay longer this public improve
men the advisabty Of which settled Tar the
peopie are concerned two years ago Il important
matter from many standponts and the commissioners
can no longer be excused find il they
fail 10 act
II IS understood that at the objections advanced
by the commissioners the sale is the scarcity OF
money They advance the argument that people
able 20 their taxes that sidewalk and paving
ments unpaid and that there unemployed
that IT would work hardship ia increase the rate Of
alton. which would be about and half mills.
The fact that there unemployed in Pensacola to-
day Of the very best why the bonds should
be sodand that without delay Ii is the best argu-
ment that could be advanced for the construction OF
these docks and railroad will give employment those
who are now idle-it will put work who have been
unable 90 pay their rent their taxes grocerymau
They will cash for their labor and in pay
their landlord and he then pay his taxes OF the
100000 the largest portion OF il would 60 for labor for
in railroad and dock construction materials hardly
one half Of the total
II the commissioners would sell those bonds and ar
range to put 100000 in circulation in Pensacola they
would be doing the laboring man benefit at a time
when he sorely needs tand for the increased tax
irate, the commissioners possibly have never hought
that will be almost years before this increase.w
he paid and then for the entire city Of Pensacola the
Iteres charges would amount a paltry S1s000-about
ISl.j0 per year more the average home
i The Journal has not touched the dock and rail
road necessities for the ports advancement This will
he done in subsequent issues