The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-11-15
About Two Hundred Prom
inent Men View City's
Newest Industry.
SPREAD UNDER
SCHOONER'S BOW
5000 Ton Dock Be Installed
Shortly, General Man
ager Promises.

Breathing the spirit of progress. and
promising much for the future,
luncheon was given by the Bruce
Drydock and Shipbuilding company
yesterday TO nearly 200 prominent
Pensacolians in honor of the opening
of Pensacola's newest industry.
A most enjoyable innovation was
that of placing the great table out
on the white sand of the fill, sheltered
from the chill north wind by one OF
the buildings OF the plant. Here IN
the sunshine, with the waters of the
bay glistening on both sides of the
fill, and the bowsprit of the John
Francis towering overhead, the
guests gathered and enjoyed an elab-
crate dinner prepared for the occa-
sion by the ladies of the First Pres
byterian church.
At the close of the luncheon, Gen
eral Manager Thomas A. Johnson,
made a short talk to the assembled
guests, saying that the development
which had taken place since May End,
the great FILL the long piers. docks
and other equipment, was but the be
ginning of a ten year development
which would make for greater Pen
sacola. "In this prospective growth,
Mr.. johnson said, 1--WE intend to in
stall 5000 ton dock, for we believe
that the business here will not only
support such plant, but will demand
it,
AT present. continued the speak
er. the plant naturally appears
little incomplete, but as soon as the
work can be done, machine shops.
repair plants, and all Of the other
necessary buildings will be erected to
finish the present organization. We
believe it will be success for even
at the present time the demand Tor
service is greater than we can MI.
The object of this luncheon was to
acuuaint the business men of Pensa-
cola with what we have done, and
intend to do, and the directors hope
that all present have enjoyed the
visit to our plant, and will again come
down to see us
In response to Mr.. Johnson, G. +
Dobson said that as he went over the
plant. and saw the care with which
preparation had been made, not only
for present needs, but for the future,
that he was impressed by the far see
ing judgment of the men behind ii,
and their grasp of the immense posi-
bilities in store for them.
ct is this realization of the future,
this spirit behind an enterprise that
gives faith in the future of Penss
COLA sad Mr.. Dobson. II feel con
fident, and | venture to say that many
will agree with me, that had Pensa
cola realized the necessity for the de
that is now taking place,
had taken advantages of opportuni-
ties that have long existed, that we
would have a city twice the size OF
the present one. And for this reason
the opening of this industry assumes
greater significance, for IL it would
have had so great an effect on the
growth of the city ten years ago, IL
is reasonable to suppose that the
same effect will not be lost simply
because the development has beer
postponed
In my opinion continued Mr..
Dobson, two things are essential for
growth in the future, we are beyond
the stage of mere talk, we must de
velop our waterfront, and the back
We are making great
progress as this occasion bears tea
.imony.'
After Mr.. Dobson. William Fishel
vas called upon, and said that he
wished to snove that the guests ten
ler a rising vote of thanks to the
Bruce Drydock and Shipbuilding com
,sny for the enjoyable entertainment
A delicious menu had been prepar-
I'd by the ladies of the First Presbv
5erian church, consisting of oyster
potato salad, baked turkey.
ice with turkey dressing, cranberry
sauce, sweet potatoes, mince pie. cof-