The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-10-28

armistice. plans We're again formulated
and steps taken to have Pensacola
designated as the centennial city.
Mr.. Beard declared that Pensacola
was nearer to the center of popula-
ton OF the United States, nearer the
Panama canal. and that Pensacola bay
was wide and deep enough to float
the ships OF the nations which might
come to Pensacola to take part in the
celebration He said that he believed
that Spain. the Mother Country, and
Great Britain and France would all
send representatives.
He declared that Jacksonville hac
absolutely nothing on which to bias.
It's claim to the centennial celebra-
ton, and to send home his shaft. saio
that when the events that were COM
memorated here were taking place
Jacksonville was nothing but a COW
ford.
Closing his arraignment with the
statement that the legislature of Flor
ida had three times designated Pensa-
cola as the centennial city. he served
notice on the commission that Pensa-
cola would look to them for justice.
). 3. Perkins Presents Claims.
j. Il. Perkins followed Mr.. Beard
and in short and felicitous speech
aroused much enthusiasm. Declaring
that those who had gone before him
mad covered the ground thoroughly, he
stressed the fact that, while Pensa-
cola was not as big as Jacksonville,
1t was big enough to hold a great
centennial, and that backing it was the
entire citizenry of West Florida, "the
best people in the world. with the
spirit that can put the centennial over
big"
He declared that he believed the
| commission to be fairminded men,
and on this spirit of fairness, Pensa-
| cola and West Florida were banking.
Mr.. Perkins called attention to the
wonderful gifts of nature in climate,
location, in the vast expanse Of water,
/ the depth and width of which are
iunequalled and he brought a laugh
when he declared that when the great
vessels of other nations come over to
this country to participate in the CEN
tennial celebration, it would be pity
to have one of these great ships from
Spain or Great Britain, or France, as
the case might be. mire in the mud
of the st. Johns river. when here
navieS of the world.
He stressed the fact that West Flor
ida has aided the entire state in many
ways, and that it is now time for this
section to have it's rights. That
should the people come to Pensacola
they would see this part of the state
and then go on to middle Florida and
the East Coast, but that If the fair
in Ila
and south Florida and the coast would
benefit.
He acknowledged that we were not
very big. but said we had all the
room in the world to grow in and tc
hold a centennial in, and that it was
the spirit that counted, and that Pen
sacola had the spirit to win and in
! tended to win. Mr.. Perkins, in discuss
ing the hotel situation, said that one
hotel was already planned, and would
soon be on the way to building, which
! would take care of five Thousand
! people, and that others would be built
} in the event that the centennial was
J held here, and that ample arrange
ments would be made to care for the
! thousands who would attend the expo
, sition.
Following Mr.. Perkins, Frank Cren-
sacola Ship Building Plant talked
briefly, giving resume of their worI
here.
Mr.. Crenshaw said that when Pau
p. Stewart, now the head of the Pen
sacola Ship Building Plant. started
out to choose location he was TOLD
by men at other ports of the countr,
| not to come here, as Pensacola would
be unable to house the employees, ow,
ing to the number of men at the Pen
Il sacola Naval Air Station and the arm!
Il garrison. That when he came to Pen
| sacola and saw the splendid location
he chose this city. after six months
Il of careful investigation. That he be
Iieved then and believes now that i
| was a location unequalled- He sait
that Mr. Stewart believed that tn
l choice of Pensacola as the location TO
the Pensacola Ship Building Plan
was the best piece of work he eve
did. AT this time there are employees
at the plant from 5000 to $500 EN-
ployes That while the housing prob
lem had been great, these problem
had been met by the people. withou
| the aid of the government, which
| had been necessary in many othe
cities where such plants were estab
/ lished.
III He said that he knew no othe