The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-11-26
THE WAY WE FIGURE

While the state is notably luke-warm in regard to
The centennial exposition, there is more or less
random comment from the South Florida papers
one of these. The Lake Worth Herald, publishing a
lengthy editorial, naming Maimi as the centennial
city. The Herald, speaking as il with authority,
says:
Jacksonville is doubtless congratulating herself
that she did not get the exposition to herself She
knows that her capacity for handling exposition
crowds is very limited. She also knows that St
Augustine. only few miles away is better prepared
to handle Jacksonviie's crowd The gateway city of
Florida also knows that ST. Augustine would only
pay small portion OF the expense but she would
practically all the harvest Therefore Jackson
vile prefers to do business plan in keeping with
her ability to accommodate her guests.
Now comes Tampa That hustng city of the
lower west coast is always ready to do anything
the benefit of the state and SO far Tampa has never
failed to profit by her willingness to help Tampa
has the good will of the entire state and good will is
one of the very few things in this world which is
practically unlimited II Tampa could be shown a
proposition by which Tampa and the entire state
would be vastly benefited she would join without
hesitation One way to create such condition is to
give the main exposition to Miami
Miami is acknowledged to be a very progressive
town. She has never been confronted with prop
osition too big for her to handle. The Magic City is
located in Tropical Florida which wonderful as
set. The city is also the most eastern city in the
state Practically everything in the place is and
this would impress visitors There is plenty of de-
sirabe land close to the city available for exposition
grounds. Miami has deep water and therefore ac-
cessible by boat from all directions. These only
a few of Mamis advantages.
The Forth Worth Herald declares that pensacola
has never figured getting look in, because with
out substantial state and federal aid the proposition
Is beyond her. Pensacola is probably
ckled to death that she have one of the recog-
nized fairs and stage it her own way
Just how the Forth Worth paper gets this i'm
preston it is impossible to surmise But The
Is in position to inform The Herald that Pensacola
intends to get both state and federal aid
If THE port of Birmingham" can get federal aid
FOR an imaginary port, the city OF Pensacola ought
TO be able to federal aid for real centennial
celebration. Recently a permit was issued by the
United States engineers at Mobile for actual con-
struction on the Port OF Birmingham project: New
Orleans has received millions of dollars from the
federal government for the development of its har-
Dor: in order to dredge Mobiles channel and to
deepen Tampas harbor, the United States govern
ment appropriated hundreds OF thousands dollars
Pensacola does not need public monies at this time
for deepening the harbor, which has natural depth
Of SO feet the bar but this port needs develop
ment along other lines and has every right to ask
Tor the aid of public monies.
The natural advantages possessed by this port will
avail nothing, If every other inferior port in thu
country is to receive public aid to place on par
with Pensacola. and this port is to no aid to
Improve those facilities possessed, but which
need to be enlarged.
If New Orleans and Mobile and Miami and Tampa
and Jacksonville and ST. Andrews Bay can get federal
aid for development of their resources Pensacola
should most certainly be able to get government
support for great centennial exposition which
would promote the interests of the entire South
As for the question OF state aid, which The Miami
Herald brings up. where would Miami and Jack
sonvile and Tampa and other south Florida cities
have been without state aid9 And how would that
aid have been secured without the support of West
Florida?
The grave manner in which the South Florida
cities discuss their prospects of gaining state
and federal aid. and the quiet way in which they
assume that Pensacola which originated the GEN.
tennial celebration idea, has right to such aid
would be amusing. We're it not In line with so many
past performances of the South Floridians
Pensacola has every right to state and federal aid
This port has asked little OF the United States gov
eminent or the state; now the hour has arrived
when this city and section not only intends to put in
its claims but intends to stick to its guns until
justice in the form OF substantial support has been
secured.