The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-09-27
BEST COALING PORT.

The Pennsylvania may be considered the
pilot ship of our coal export business. With
such loading facilities as the L. & N wharf
and the new G.. F. & A. elevator: With
phenomena1ly low freight rate from the
mines of 81 for export and $1.1O for bunker;
with a twenty-four hour delivery, not to
mention the depth of water and safety of
our harbor it needs no student of eco
Monies to say that Pensacola is the best
and cheapest coaling station on the Gulf of |
Mexico, and no prophet to foresee the great |
business that will be built UP here.
Although we have discussed it many |
times already the matter is too important |
not to refer again to the wonderful mari |
time future of the United States-practl-
cally a new industry. Vessels flying the
American flag-like the Pennsylvania
surge across the horizon; the million and
quarter tons of shipping now building
represent the greatest activity in this direc-
ton since the civil war: and congress has
appropriated 100000 to buy more ships
to develop a merchant marine capable of
carrying sixty per cent of our trade, that
we may be independent of foreign dictates.
Developing Our maritime business means
developing Our land business-in which
coal is an important item. In coal pro-
but our output of four hundred and fifty
nine million tons in 1914 was falling off
from the 1913 record, by sixty or seventy
million tons. The strike in the eastern
Ohio coal fields, and the increasing use of
fuel oil undoubtedly had something to do
with this, but the war depression was more
directly responsible. Among the great users
of coal, are the Latin American countries
a great portion of whose supply was fur
nished by England, second in coal produc-
ton. Americans are after this trade-the
Pennsylvania cargo is for Brazil. The
depression in South America is being dis
sipated, and American business in general
is gaining footing. AS our carrying ca
pacity increases, there is no reason why
it should not become predominant.
Our export business cured of the infan-
tile paralysis of the old shipping laws in
stead of diminishing at the conclusion of
the war, will increase still further, for in
addition to the European trade, America
is destined to become supreme in the Latin
American market
AS already suggested, the coal business
should be one of the first to develop. The
surplus due to the use of fuel oil in this
country will readily be absorbed by the
Latin-American market, where crude pc
troleum has not come into very general use
The announcement therefore that the l.
& N. is going after the business is sig
nifcant. 1t indicates that the l. & n has
picked out Pensacola for its port of export
That the G. F. & A. is going after the bust
ness, we know whenever we look towards
that great coal elevator which almost ready
now, was begun when the financial sky was
still o'ercast and no one knew for sure
whether the gale was over or whether ou1
enterprise would weather the storm
The dispatch with which the cargo wa:
secured and put aboard the Pennsylvania
will make the owners, Grace & Co., cage
to avail themselves of Our facilities again
The ship reached here two days before sh
was expected, but there was no delay, as i
was possible to rush the coal here within
twenty-four hours!
But the business will mean more thar
coaling. Once the trade lines begin stretch
ing into Pensacola, ships will come 70
other cargos besides coal In the mean
time, out back country will be developed
it must be developed-it can not fail to b
developed with cattle for the open Sc
same"-and ships will be assured of carg
to Pensacola, without which no real por