The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-02-28
A CALL TO ARMS

With the most magnificent harbor south
OF Newport News, an ideal climate, winter
and summer, a geographical situation OF
the greatest value, yet Pensacola has been
almost entirely overlooked in the war plans
of the government, for the shipment OF
supplies, and the business men of Pensa-
cola have proven particeps criminis In this
elimination.
At the Rotary luncheon on Tuesday,
Captain John A Merritt, just returned
from Washington, declared that this port
is scarcely considered at all as a port of
embarkation, and at least one of the Of
hcia1s declared that he could not feel an
interest in port that is reached chiefly by
the l.. & N.
While the business men of Pensacola
may be much to blame and the Louisville
and Nashville railroad factor which mill
tates against the development of this port,
the fact remains that the board which is in
control of these matters is now cognizant
OF Pensacola's advantages, and Pensacola
should make an immediate and tremendous
effort, having placed these facts before the
committee, to bring about an understand
ing between the railroad and federal
authorities.
If the Louisville and Nashville railroad
is not conducting its business along such
lines as tend to make one of the most valu-
able ports in this country of service to the
government, then as that railroad is now
under government control, it would seem
that it could be forced to serve in the same
way that the other railroads of the country
are serving. If the question is one of per-
sonal bias on the part of the committee,
then it should be Immediately taken up
with the proper officials by the business
men of Pensacola and the differences adj
justed.
Pensacola is face to face with the crucial
test. The day has come when we stand on
the line that will bring us closely IN touch
with the other progressive cities of the
country, or will debar us from participation
in their progress. What that line may
stand for rests with us, may cross it,
or we may allow it to separate us from
what is our due, but the line is there,-a
dividing line, to be eliminated by the men
of Pensacola, or to remain, set against us,
as sign of demarcation to place us in the
background of the events which are quick
ening the world of commerce today.
1t is fact that there seems to be de-
plorable amount of ignorance in Washing
ton, in regard to this port, one of the most
important naturally and geographically in
the world. In view of the fact that again
anu again tic port has DeeD V1SlIeQ DIV DdN y
experts and that at this time the represen-
tatNe from this district is a Pensacolian.
and that business men have made frequent
visits to Washington during the past two
years, in the interest of Pensacola, this
would seem to be not so much the fault Of
Pensacola as of the officials at headquar-
tiers, were it not for one fact which cannot
be overlooked in any public enterprise
the Other Fellow.
For months Mobile, Jacksonville, New
Orleans, Tampa, and other cities have vir-
tually had headquarters in Washington
wherever they could urge their claims
While Pensacola has been represented by
number of able men the fact remains that
there has been no concerted effort backed
by the business men of this section. That
effort must be made, and it must be under
taken at once With Pensacola offering
more than any other port on the gulf coast
can offer, with the futuIe OF this sl:sise sec