The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-11-29
BONDING FOR PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT.


that is representative of the interests Of this port
past few years. and indicates the increase in in
dustria activity in Pensacola.
That Pensacola has natural advantages over any
port on the gulf must be acknowledged by anyone
familiar with this port and that OF New Orleans
Mobile. and the Importation of mahogany nitrate
and other valuable products through this port the
expectation of cotton the revival of the lumber x
port business and the increase in exports Of other
commodities. the best indication In the world
that that the business fthis port II increasing.
But, while this is true. and recognition has been
given the importance of this port IN situation and
Depth by The location here of high density cotton
compress. great floating dry dock, mammoth
shipbuding plant, the best bunker coal terminals
south Of Newport News and the stations for bunker
oil which compare with any the gulf still there
remains much for Pensacola to attain. this port
is to rank with other ports Of the south.
Why is 1t, then. that with harbor SO much deep
and wider, with facilities that compare well with
other ports, it is to Latin American coun-
rites on the hand and to the centre of popula-
ton on the other. that Pensacola is the third in
stead of the first port on the gulf Of Mexico
When William G.. McAdoo and party Of railroad
officials visited Pensacola, during McAdoo's tenure
of office railroad administrator these officials de-
rared that naturally the harbor Of Pensacola was
what Pensacola lacked was man-power. One of these
officials. ranking next to McAdoo himself and in
close touch with railroad and port conditions
throughout the country. stated that what Pensa-
cola needed and the only thing needed was to give
publicity to Pensacoa's advantages to the shippers
OF the world
"Al the random publicity that you may give this
port said he, counts for far less in the long rum
than concentration the men on whom devolves
tha Int of Chi
not responsible for this. but the or the COM
panies charering the ships. after these men and
let them know what you have In Pensacola and
Your port will build itself up.-nothing can hold 1t
back"
A man from the middle west who visited Pensa-
cola recently, called attention to the fact that other
cities, notably St. Louis sending out men to get
trade. just business firm sends out men to get
orders At least shipping firm In Pensacola
does that very thing, and st means more than BUSH
ness for that firm; 1t business for evexy other
firm in Pensacola, for 1t the ADVERTISING of
Pensacola resources.
But it takes than advertisement of posi-
bities; it takes advantages over other ports with
which connection has already been established to
secure trade Firms which have routed their cargoes
through Mobile and New Orleans and have received
satisfactory service. instance are not going to
transfer their business to Pensacola without some
special inducements. Such inducement could be SCI
cured more adequately through municipal docks and
belt line railroad, than in any other way
New Orleans is the second port in the United
States, according to commercial rating.
With all the handicaps under which New Orleans
rests the people of that city, and of the state and
the federal government have faith in that port and
making it second only to that of New York 1t
may be that the fact that New Orleans had so much
10 crystalzed the spirit her citizens into
strong working force for port Improvement
which Pensacola with her great natural advantages
might we'll emulate
Here a few of the accomplishments, stupen-
dous in magnitude. for which the people OF New Or
leans and Louisiana responsible. and for which
they have bonded the city and state:
New Orleans great industrial canal and inner
harbor is nearing completion
The industrial canal has cost si2ooo0oo al
| ready, and il will probably cost s7.5OQ0OO more