The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-08-06
LOST OPPORTUNITY.

peiieVeq that upon those docks de-
pended the continued Importance of
ms harbor. Had they not so believed
the voters would not have voted In fbe
affirmative. They did not go TO the
polls for pastime. When seven good
years some fat and some lean. had
rolled around, and the ETY. commits
sloners had not placed these bonds en-
sale, Public Opinion got back of them,
and through members of the Kfvanis
Club and other business men interested
In port development, sought to compel
the commissioners to do the will of the
people. That was one year ago. and
still the municipal dock bonds are not
sold and this port is daily becoming
less used by shippers, while the ports
OF Mobile and Jacksonville are abso-
lutely crowded with shipping, and even
Tampa, heretofore far behind Pensa-
cola in its export trade is forg.ng
ahead of this port.
Had the municipal docks been built
even few years ago. by this time the
public wharves would have been con-
gested with shipping. Now comes an
additional reason for regret that PEN
sacola has no municipal docks. Owing
to new ruling in New Orleans. and
increased dock charges, it is predicted
that lumber cargo shipments through
the New Orleans will be restricted. and
that much OF this business will be
driven to other gulf ports. Had we
municipal docks much of that trade
would come to Pensacola.
The fact of the matter is that New
Orleans and Mobile and Jacksonville
Hara 4.
veniently handle and are in position to
dictate terms. Here in Pensacola we
are getting less and less business. and
are not in position to compete with any
other large ports as we are literally
throttled by those selfish interests
which are blocking the development of
this port.
The board Of commissioners Of New
Orleans in making this change in reg
ulations. regarding the occupancy of
wharves with cargo. have raised the
charges, the raise being designed to
penalize the leaving of cargo on the
wharves beyond the allotted time.
OF this, the Southern Lumberman
says:
First Of these charges relates to
delay beyond the length of time YES
sci is permitted to accumulate cargo
before arrival, which is seven days,
for which no charge is made. Under
the old rule IL a vessel has not ar
rived at the wharf within this free Pc
Rod the wharfage charges begin the
same as If it had arrived, such charges
being at the rate of cents per ton
On the gross tonnage of the vessel for
the first day, scents each for the Sec
ond and third days. 2 cents for the
fourth day, and 1 cent a day for the
fifth and sixth days, no charge for
he seventh to sixteenth days, inclu- |
;ive, and ! cent day for the seven
zenith to twenty first days, inclusive. |
4 the vessel occupies the wharf be-
yond the twenty-one day period, new
period begins at the same rate.
Under the new rule, il the ship does
lot arrive within the seven-day period |
! charge of 4 cents per ton day will be
charged until 1t arrives, after which |
he regular schedule will apply. Under
he former rule, 1t was possible for a
-essel to escape an additional charge /
IN account OF delay in arrival, provid-
ID 1t was able to get away within six
cen days from the arrival date orig |
nally set, or to incur additional
harges at only the 1-cent rate appli-
able in the last five days of the sched-
lie period of 81 days. The new rule,
owever, assesses A. cent charge per
ross ton per day for the delay in ar
ival, with no relief for quick dispatch.
"A similar change is made as to
hut-out cargo, the rule regarding
rhich is that the agent of the vessel
hall Immediately name, or state the
osition of another vessel to lift the
argo. Under the old rule the dock
ge charge was provided to apply on
ne vessel so named on the day follow
ag the departure of the original one,
ne same as il such succeeding yes
ell were at the wharf; while under
ne new rule 1t is assessed at the rate
{ 4 cents per gross ton per day until
actually arrives, after which the reg
lar schedule will apply. The effect is
ne same as in the case of delay in
riginal arrival. being heavy increase
, charges, as compared with the pos
binty of escaping with little or no
ADDITIONAL charges.
A further regulation now added, ,
hich IT is said will be rig.dly enforced,
as follows:
Cargo shut out for the second ,
time shall not be permitted to re !
main upon the public wharves uT1-
der any circumstances, and must
be removed within "a hours after
the departure of the vessel.
THE new rules are calculated to inn !
use a very substantial burden on the
eamship lines in case of delay in the :
Injected arrival of their vessels, and
.turaIly they viii protect themselves
far as possible by throwing the bur- :
N on shippers by narrowing the time :
r recent of Cargo. in advance, ana
CLINE to receive shipments which !,
light possibly be shut out This VIII
.turally result in imposing consider !.
lie additional demurrage on shippers,
en- in the case OF parcel shipments;
"A in the case of those exporters who
e. making cargo shipments the bur- =
n is calculated to be a very serious .
q. Unfortunately, these shippers are =
able to depend upon the prompt ar
raj of either their cars or their ships, e
d the irregularity in this respect ex- i,
SEES them to the alternative OF heavy &
aift,ar daYr111rraQ pc or wharf