The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-10-24
PULL FOR PENSACOLA

Within the past days three important develop
ment projects have been launched. the sale OF the
G. F. and A, and it's reorganization as the Gulf,
Pensacola and Northern Railroad Company: the sale
Of the Gulf Florida and Alabama railroad, and its
reorganization the Andalusla. Florida and Gulf
Rahroad and the issuance of bonds In the sum of
100000 for the Gulf Ports Terminal Railway Com
pany, with the backing Of Pensacola Chamber of
Commerce.
Each of these movements is of great importance
the development of Pensacola and West Florida,
and clearly indicate that 1t is question of months
rather years, when West Florida will have
railroad facilities which will favorably with
those of any section of the state, and which VIII
open up territory yet practically undeveloped.
There this time approximately 5000 miles of
railway in Florida On ton of freight destined
for Pensacola and all other Florida points, origi-
mating west the Mississippi, south of Memphis
transportation charges for A miles OF unnecessary
rail haul paid. This fact was clearly
brought out at the meeting of the Chamber of Com
merce Wednesday afternoon, when President Nc
LaughIin. of the Gulf Ports Terminal Railway Com
appeared before the commercial body outlining
proposition for issuing bonds to make the compile
ton of this railroad a certainty.
1t pointed out at this meeting that if the
citizens of Pensacola back the Gulf Ports Terminals
ners in the undertaking, through the purchase OF
bonds the sixty miles of railway may be kept an
independent line, be operated in the interest Of
eventually bringing four lines to this
port.
Pensacola should give to every legitimate railroad
enterprise this time the combined backing of its
citizens. With the Louisville and Nashville. the
Gulf Pensacola and Northern the Gulf Ports Ter
minals anAthe line just bought by Mobile interests.
known the Andalusa, Florida and Gulf, which
feeder to this port, Pensacola and West
Florida would have rail facilities which, together
with the terminals in operation and contemplated,
would place this port in the very front rank.
Many railroads have been projected in Pensacola
in the past, been sunk in oblivion, swal-
lowed up by private interests. This may in meas
ure be explained by fact that in the past Pen
sacola had to in search of capital-today cap
tal is setting steadily towards this port, looking for
opportunity for investment.
1t is not too much say outside the port of
New Orlean ms, which ranks second only to New
York, Pensacola is the most important port in the
south Had Pensacola had these railroad facilities
year ago. it is possible this port might have RI
vailed New Orleans.
New Orleans does compare with this port in
its natural advantages. Situated ITO miles from tue
mouth of the Mississippi river ship that cargoes
there is "a hours from the open Pensacola, sit
uated harbor which is the widest and deepest
and best land-locked in the south. and than
any other port to the Panama canal offers oppor-
tunities that port country possesses.
Situated we the sea- and contagi-
Gus the rich territory Of Alabama and Tennessee,
with their valuable coal and Steel present to the
world site unequaled not only for export and i'm
port, location for manufacturing interests.
The growth Pensacola has not been spectacular.
But it has been sound and it's progress has been
because of what 1t has had to offer to investors,
rather than for it's exploitation by promoters The
concentration at this port of various development
enterprises merely recognition of that the
port Pensacola necessary the development of
the of the United States. 1t is natural then
that this time railroad interests should look to
this port outlet.
/ The tide of world trade has turned Today the
IrTn iS To he of he
particularly to ports of the Gulf for important
trade routes. This is not through any boom or
boosting fictitious values but because the United