The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-01-27
pENsACoLA's COMMERCIAL BcoY


the Rotary Club and the Kiwanis Clubs. will mean
much for the future development of Pensacola and
West Florida and the fact that these three forces
are placing their strength back of number of civic
movements is assurance that 1920 viii not be out
classed by the record of i9i9-the best so far
history OF the city
Much Of the success which has come to Pensacola
during the past few years is due to the cooperative
effort of certain men, and groups of men. who have
put over some big things. But those who should be
position know declare that Pensacola could do
even bigger things were it possible to fuse the
forces into strong weapon for commercial
power.
The past year a number of business ventures
put into concrete form. The building and launch
ing of the finest ships in the world to take their
place in the merchant marine: the contract for a
great floating dry dock; the bonding for municipal
docks and belt line railroad; the building of high
density cotton compress; the Inauguration of a
steamship line Between Pensacola and the United
KIngdom the parity of freight rates; the location OF
fuel oil stationsa of these mean port development
and upon the port depends the commercial and in
dustrial life of the city in very large degree.
In an interview just given out in New York city,
William Gibbs McAdoo declares that I'VE must pro-
vide sufficient freight and passenger facilities and
enlarge our rolling stock and motive power and more
than all else turn attention to the pro-
viding of adequate and efficient terminals in our
great cities. AS these are constructed and oper-
ated today, they deadening constructions the
arterial system Of our body economic"
When Mr.. McAdoo was in Pensacola, he expressed
himself much pleased with Pensacolas great har-
bor and surprised at its splendid facilities On that
visit he was accompanied by the then assistant
director the regional director Of the railroad adj
ministration. Both of these We're thoroughly
familiar with the transportation facilities and the
]
sacola and the outlook here for increase in the
volume of world trade.
Regional Director Winchel said that the people Of
Pensacola seemed TO have mistaken idea that the
development of a town depended upon the railroads
He said that while this was in a measure true il
depended much upon the enterprise of the meT
of the city. He said that Pensacola not well al
vertised. That the important thing was to go ont
after shipping to let the shippers know what kinc
! Of port had here He said that it useles,
appeal to the railroads. the heads of the ship
pers themselves, and he advocated strong publicity
campaign which would prove to those directly in
terested, that Pensacola could deliver the goods.
! The kind of publicity advocated by these men wa:
not of a sporadic character. but a direct appea
TO shipping men. on whom so much of the bushes:
of this port depends such Jacksonville is institute
ing right now.
Pensacola has reached the critical period in its in
dustria life. We building for the future, wei
as the present Six years ago we had held that fac
in mind it would be impossible to estimate what w,
might have accomplished in the year just past anC
the year that is before US.
At the opening OF the world war had Pensacola
been in possession OF the municipal docks and bel
line railroad, we might have received some Of thu
government contracts which went to New Orleans
and a great amount Of the shipping business which
Is going to that port.
More money is invested today in industrial plant
than ever before in Pensacolas commercial life
Millions of dollars with thousands paid out eacl
month in wages. which turned back into tn
channels of trade We want to keep what we nov
have, and we want to add to that have
William Gibbs McAdoo is one of the best engineer
in the world; he is one of the most astute bushes
men well as one Of the cleverest lawyers; and h
declares that most of ALL if wish for industrial
success. we must provide adequate and efficien
terminals.
The contention is made by some that we have nov
in the G. F. s A. terminals and the L. & ~ dock
of the best in the south; and this is true,
these facilities will not begin to be adequate, if
expansion in the next six years keep anywhere nea
that of the past six.
The commercial bodies of Pensacola have som
good, hard jobs already cut out for them. The yea
1919 set stiff pace; some of the work that wa
commenced then must be finished up. that speedily
il we are to keep ahead in the game.
Tampa. Jacksonville Mobile Miami are all consol
dating their civic forces, and are going out afte
business particularly shipping. They are increasing
their port facilities in every possible way If Pen
sacola is to make good in 1920 the same spirit O
cooperation must be shown here
Every man in Pensacola. whether a Rotarian
Kiwanian, whatever his organization should be
member Of the Chamber Of Commerce 1t is not
club OF few select business men; it is a CONNER
cial body Of Pensacola ctizens-and il it is ineffec
tive, it is the fault men who render If
viii be strong if is infused with strength: it vii
be weak if is allowed To Ianc11ish -rhere is ~