The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-01-27

While the site is considered one Of
the finest natural locations in the,
country for such an undertaking, GER
tain amount OF dredging must be done
between the basin of the bayou and 4
the channel of Pensacola harbor. This;
has been agreed to, and will be done
by citizens OF Pensacola, without cost
TO the shipbuilding company.
Through action OF the city commfs-g
sioners the paving of several streets
leading to the site has been authors
lied, so that easy connection with.
Barrancas avenue will be possible
Water and lighting connections are
Also being installed, and everything
peing done to expedite the laying or
the first keel.
Contract for the ten steel vessels IN
made in the name of the Pensacola
Shipbuilding company. q corporation.
under the laws of Delaware. The ON
GERS of the company are A. c. Keller,
president: NJ. G. Elliott, vice presi-
dent. and Paul p. Stewart, secretary,
who are also the officers and directors.
of the Keller Elliott Erection Com
pany
Negotiations to bring the companyi
here have been pending for some time.
the shipping board was made on De-
cember 4th. Even before that time
when it was apparent that the Emer-
gency Fleet Corporation would award
them the contract, Pensacola was
brought to the attention of the com
pany by Senator Duncan u. Fletcher,
George III. Hervey John A Merritt,
and j. Simpson Reese.
Before the contract was awarded
Mr.. Reese and Captain Merritt com
municated with Mr.. Stewart, and at.
their request he came to Pensacola!
and inspected available sites During
this time Senator Fletcher was making
a great effort, to have Pensacola Sc
Fiected as the site for the COMPANY,
while Mr.. Hervey was using his in
sfuence a member OF the Taylor
Shipbuilding Corporation, of Corn
wells. Pa, to boost his former home.
After the contracts had been award
ed Mr.. Stc-art, accompanied by mem
bers of the company, returned to
Pensacola TO negotiate for the prop
erty on Bayou Chico. other cities
were making every effort to take the
company from Pensacola, and ofrsring
large bonuses in addition to free sites,
if the shipbuilding plant would lo-
cate.
Mr.. Reese and Captain Merr1te
called meeting OF prominent Pensa-
colians, and Mr.. Stewart outlined the
situation. stating that his company
did not want money or any induce
ment except free site on wtaicn To-
locate. To purchase the site and make
some Of the necessary improvements
required $4,000 and the two Pensa-
colians offered TO guarantee that sum
as underwriters, but requested others
to help them in financing the venture.
Within short while the entire
amount had been subscribed by those
present. and a contract signed under
which the company agreed TO come
10 Pensacola. provided the site se.
lected was approved by the Emer-
gency Fleet Corporation.
The site was approved soon after,
and the completion OF the legal details
and final responsibility placed on Unit 4
ed states District Attorney John l..
Neely. Much work was necessary to-
obtain the abstracts of the property
and other legal papers In connecticut
with the transfer. The dispatch andt
efficiency with which the task wAS acrl
complished is considered great credit.
TO Mr. Neely. All details were edsn-i
pleted yesterday, and with the rs-'
cording Of the documents with fhe,
clerk Of the circuit court, the location;
of the plant here was made certain
w. i. Mcdonald and John Sweeney
representatives of the shtpbuiIdtnQ
company are in the city arranging for
preliminary work. The grounds beane1
cleared, spur tracks have been lafdd
and water and light connection to-