The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-07-19
VOX POPULI
PROTESTS SALE OF WATER
FRONT PROPERTY ON BAYLEN

Editor Pensacola Journal.
Dear Sir: There has been a great
deal of comment why Pensacola water
front has not been develope ao the
water fronts Of other seaport towns.
One reason is that soon after the
United States took possession OF this
territory in 1921; a gigantic attempt
was made to monopolize the entire
water front of Pensacola by a pre-
tended Spanish grant known as the
Pintado grant. This was decided void
by the supreme courts OF the United
States and Florida
Since that time another attempt was
made by interested parties to monopo-
lie most of the water front. This was
defeated. Later, after the water front
bill was passed, purporting to grant
the water front to the city of Pensa-
cola. the Baylen street wharf company
undertook, and did, demand payment
FOR the use of Baylen street down
nearly to the fish house on the east
side. on all goods that were landed
there. over the slip between Baylen
and Palafox streets
This was resisted by the Bagdad
Land and Manufacturing Company and
Joel Frater. and was taken to the
supreme court. The supreme court
ct al, VS.. The Baylen Street Wharf
Company Isl Florida Reports, page 63l,
held that the Baylen Street Wharf
Company had no right to tax or levy
charge on property landed on the
Bagdad Land and Manufacturing Com
pany's property on the east side OF
Baylen street from the slip between
Baylen and Palafox streets, except on
the lower part OF the wharf that was
owned by the Baylen Street Wharf
Company or the Warren Fish Com
pany. 1t might be noted that these
two companies are practically owned
by the same parties.
The supreme court, by this decision.
decided that Baylen street was street
of the city Of Pensacola down to the
wooden structure at the south end OF
Baylen street, thus the court freed the
citizens Of Pensacola from any charge
that the Baylen Street Wharf Com
pany was trying to exact On the ac-
count of landing goods on property
owned by other parties on the east side
Of Baylen street from the slip, for the
use of Baylen street.
The Warren Fish Company endeav-
ored to get an ordinance adopted by
the former board of city commission
ers, selling them land on the east side
of Baylen street, for a very small |
amount, considering the property. The
Warren Fish Company did not succeed |
in getting the commissioners to adopt
any such ordinance, as the commits |
sioner who has just retired was OPP
posed to it.
Now with a new commissioner. the |
Warren Fish Company is seeking to get |
the board of commissioners to sell |
them the property on the east side |
Of Daxrln cfr hot oU 20
make a monopoly of the water front |
on Baylen street, thereby depriving the |
citizens OF access to the bay by way |
of Baylen street, unless they comply |
with such terms as the Warren Fish /
Company exact.
The legislature, in granting the water |
front to the city Of Pensacola, endeav- |
ored to keep the slip between Baylen |
and Palafox streets free, but it would |
be very little use for the citizens il |
all access to the slip is to be monop- |
olized and excessive charges imposed. |
So much of the water front Of Pen
sacola has been granted and bargained
away, that the board Of commissioners,
as trustees for the citizens, should I'M
doubtedly protect what is left for the
benefit of the citizens of Pensacola,
and not place them at the mercy OF any
corporation.
Therefore, I. as other citizens. do
hereby protest against any further
selling or disposing Of property abut-
ting on the water of the slip between
BaNen and Palafox streets. This prop
erty should be retained by the city for
the benefit of the entire community,
as the consideration offered for it is a
mere pittance when we consider the
importance Of keeping some part of
the water front in this vicinity under
the control Of the city Of Pensacola.
Yours very truly,
JOHN H. CROSS.