The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-01-20
PRAISE
FOR BUILDERS
OF THE CT. IA.
Nearly Three Hundred
Present at Banquet In
Honor of Visitors
MEGARGEL THANKS
PENSACOLA PEOPLE
Tells Them 1t Is Their Road
and Needs Their En-
couragement
MEGARGEL THANKS
PENSACOLA PEOPLE

The browning feature Of the dayh
entertainment in honor OF the visitors
here on account Of the G. f. a Al. ceI-
ebration was the banquet, reception
and dance at the San Carlos hotel last
night concluding shortly after mid-
night, when a number Of the visitors
loath to see the day brought to an end
proceeded TO the masked ball at the
Keyser auditorium, there to enjoy
themselves until 2 o'clock this morn
ing. Nearly three hundred attended
the banquet.
There have been many banquets
given in Pensacola, but none of these
previous events ever Surpassed in
genuine pleasure and good fellowship
that Of last night. The speeches were
interesting, to the point and brought
rounds Of applause from the 2504or
more who had gathered for the even
ing.
President c. r. Dobson at aboutl0
o'clock arose and delivered a short ad-
dress of welcome to the visitors. He
read kilograms from. a number Of
prominent men, including Governor
Park M. Trammell, reRretting their
inability to be present, but extending
congratulations TO the city and cite
zens. The Chamber Of Commerce Of
Cincinnati and its traffic department
both sent wires, the latter stating
that its traffic manager win be in PEN
sacola next week to investigate and
report on the facilities and opportuni-
ties existing for handling import and
export freight.
Mr.. Dobson then introduced Rov
Megargel, president Of the Gulf,
Florida e. Alabama, who thanked the
people Of Pensacola for their welcome
TO the new road and reminded them
that it was q new road and must 20
through all Of the trials and tribula-
tions that a new enterprise is subject
TO. He said the road was built bv
Pensacola people for Pensacola, but
il remained for Pensacola people, by
their encouragement and aid 60 make
it one of the successful railroad sys-
TENS Of the south. Mr.. Megargel's
talk was received with great applause.
Hon. W. A. Blount then spoke on
''Past Railroad Projects and Present
Accomplishments" in which he re-
lated interestingly the history Of the
present Pensacola division Of the J..
& N, extending from Pensacola to
Flomaton and compared the equip
ment in use in those days TO the pres
ent. His talk covered railroad build
ing and he gave a review Of how the
present roads coming into Pensacola
had been constructed and BY whom.
At the conclusion Of his address Mr..
Blount was introduced by Mr.. Dobson
as toastmaster.
Mr.. Blount called upon NJ. j. MUIR
ply Of the firm Of Megargel a Co,
and a director Of the Federal reserve
board Of district 3, whose subject was
''War Time Railroad Financing" ia
which he paid a compliment to Roy
Megargel for his feat Of successfully
a railroad during the great
European war.
Mr.. Murphy, in this connection, said
that William H. Knowles Of Pensa-
cola, deserved the credit of really
bringing the G., r. 81 A. to Pensacola,
and related how Mr.. Knowles had
wired Mr.. Megargel and the speaker,
who were in New Orleans prospecting
and asked them to come to Pensacola
and look over the opportunities and
here. They made the trip
and it was the real beginning Of the
Gulf, Florida e. Alabama.
pensacola and the G., F. e. AZ
was the subject Of William Fisher
who made very interesting and en-
thusiastic address on the city's bright
future and what should be done now
that a new railroad is a fact.
S. S. Stratton, head Of the Chi-
cage branch Of Megargel & Co, spoica