The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-02-01
ST. ANDREWS BAY HOPES TO HEAR
FAVORABLE REPORT ON PROJECT
TO DEEPEN and WIDEN channel,
United Fruit Company Proposes
to Use Panama City as Prin-
cipal Port of Entry.
ENGINEERS RECEIVE DATA
Export Business at st. Andrews
Bay Increases by Five Mil
lions in Ten Years.
BY GEORGE X. MANNING.

Washington, d. c., Jan. 31.-Tbe
movement to secure a thirtv-foot
channel in st Andrews bay, Florida.
received a great boost at. a hearing
given here last Wednesday by the
board of engineers for rivers and har-
bors to delegation from ST Andrews
ably assisted by the senators and con-
gresham of Florida and Georgia.
This development if undertaken, il
was pointed out, will go a great way
toward developing the commerce of
the territory to the north of St An
drews bay up as far as and beyond
Columbus, Georgia. which is now in
great need of a direct outlet TO the
gulf.
An advantageous feature of the de-
velopment is that it would create new
commerce and not necessarily work
to the injury of Pensacola, Tampa.
Jacksonville. Apalachicola, Savannah
or other ports.
There was a provision in the last
rivers and harbors appropriation bill
for survey of st. Andrews bay to de-
termine the feasibility and advisable
ity of deepening and widening the
channel. There is row % feet of wa
ter in the channel. 1t is desired to
make it 80 feet deep and widen it
considerably
After making the examination the
district engineer recommended
depth of % feet. The division en-
gineer, his superb +, recommended a
channel % feet to Hurricane island and
26 feet on the inside.
The report was passed along TO
the board of engineers for rivers and
harbors whose duty it is to ,onsid-
er it and make a recommends ton to
congress-
Congressman ]. II. Smithwick, who
is very deeply interested in the de-
velopment, and enthusiastic ever its
commercial possibilities, asked and OBJ
tanned permission to bring a delega-
ton from st. Andrews to appear be-
fore the board and fully inform the
members of the situation. The hear
ing was arranged for last Wednesday,
and Mr.. Smithwick had very strong
delegation on hand.
Those who appeared and told of
the advantages offered by the develop
ment were Senator Park Trammell,
Florida; Senator William j. Harris,
Georgia; Congressman Frank Clark
and Smithwick Florida; Steagall.
Alabama and Wright, Georgia; g. NJ.
West, st. Andrews Bay. Editor of the
Panama City Pilot; J. II. Drummond,
president of the North Florida Cham
Der of Commerce; Frank NJ Nelson
and r. l.. Mckenzie, representing the
Panama City board of trade; j. w.
Pryne, representing the Keith inter
ests Omitted Fruit Coz: George Ward
of Pensacola and several others.
Mr.. Smithwick outlined the purpose
of the hearing and introduced the diff
ferent speakers 1t was pointed out
that the territory about and north of
st. Andrews Bay and Panama City
is badly in need Of a direct outlet to
the gulf which is the natural outlet
for it's commerce.
Mr.. Pryne. speaking for Mr.. Keith.
said that il a 3O-f foot channel could
be obtained there the United Fruit
company would use st. Andrews Bay
for the importation of a large por-
ton of it's banana trade. and would
make numerous sailings from the port.
Representatives of the commercial
of Columbus urged the
declaring thai consider
able export business from Columbus
would be shipped through the port IL
1t was developed.
G.. NJ. West, editor of the Panama
City Pilot, who made the closing argu-
ment said that instead of the develop
ment being a great expense TO the
people it would effect an unmistakable
economy.
About ten years ago the export
business from St. Andrews Bay was
valued at $1,76o, 900" said Mr.. West
"The government spent 100000 in
making the channel p feet deep. That
resulted in the growth Of business at
the port to over $7,oo0,oo0 year,
what it is today.
"When this outlet was obtained the
railroads Immediately dropped the rate
ON cotton to Savannah 81 a bale and
the people saved many times over the
money spent at st. Andrews. Give
us this 3o-feet channel and we will
build up a big port and big business
there that will many times repay all
the expense"
1t will be about two weeks before
the board will reach a decision. The
delegation made a most favorable i'm
preston on the board and all those
who were present are hoping for
very favorable outcome of their effort.