The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-07-24
A GULF PORT FIGHT.

The Tampa Tribune is making
splendid fight agG.nst discrimination
against the gulf ports and is receiving
the cooperation of both New Orleans
and Mobile in the contest for the
rights of this section of the country.
The Tribune expresses appreciation
for the support that is being accord
ed Tampa in this movement, and edl-
torially says:
1--WE reproduce on this page an edi-
torial from The Pensacola Journal on
'Tampa's Gulf Port Fight against the
two dollar phosphate rate discrim-
nation in favor of South Atlantic
ports. ---.-E
zone paragraph in the editorial
calls for special attention, because it
shows that the broad minded views Of
the Tribune are concurred in by the
papers of other gulf ports. The Jour
nal says: The time has come for the
Gulf cities to hang together and fight
for their rights, as the South Atlantic
ports are doing = If the gulf cities
lost in this fight it will be because
the business men of the Gulf section
sit down and let the other fellows
come along and take the trade away
from the Gulf ports"
rTOu1 Ne" orleans TO IdII1pd inter-
est in the fight is the same. Indeed.
We are not so sure but that the ports
of Texas are also vitality interested.
for a too great discriminatory rat
against any of them, may send the
shipping now loading in their harbors
to Atlantic ports in the future.
ut does not appear to the Tribune
that this question is so much one of
"cheeseparting with the railroads" as
it is one of tolling against the wheat
of the fellow who seems to have no
redress. There was no representation
from Tampa or any other Gulf port on
the board, or at the meeting which
put over this unfairness; and this
alone, it would seem to US, is suffi-
fient to call for a reopening of the
case. The port of Tampa and the
other ports on the Gulf are already
penalized in the matter of through
bills of lading and export rates, and
now to step in and penaltze it in IA
Vor of another port in its own state,
seems like the apex. of either unfair
ness, or the determination to kill the
port as easily and as quickly as pos
sible.
However. with New Orleans inter
ested and standing by Tampa, With
Mobile aroused over % the apparent
threat, and with Pensacola declaring
that it must get busy and help Tam
pa, there is little doubt to the Tribune
that it will not be long before Tampa's
port will be on an equality with ports
now enjoying their temporary advan-
tage over it; and that once having
found our power we will continue to
use it until we have become the po-
tency for business and the center of
trade that we should be already"
The fight for the Gulf ports is on.
The South Atlantic ports, have long
been banded together, and it is this
unity of interest and their cooperative
effort which has given these ports the
lead over the gulf cities. For that
these ports do lead in new business,
If not in the volume of business, is
easily substantiated
The gulf ports seem to be going on
the theory of each for itself The
South Atlantic ports are working for
a common interest, believing that
what will build one will build all.
Manufacturers and shippers of the
west are having the facilities of every
one of these ports called to their at
tention. In the name that they have
given themselves, The Big Five, lies
one of the secrets of the power of
their campaign of publicity. Not I'M
til this part of the country realizes
that we must work together will the
gulf coast assume the importance in
the world of commerce that is it's
right.