The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-06-30
THE PLACE OF homes.

Pensacola is justly proud Of the fact
that this city still holds its own as the
third city in the state. in point OF pop
ulation. But it has been pointed out
by the Times-Union. in carefully
prepared table, that If Miami and ST.
Petersburg continue to gain in the
same ratio in the next ten years that
they have in the past ten, and the
other cities of Florida continue their
growth in the same ratio. that Miami
win be the second city in the state in
1925 and the leading city in popula-
ton in 1890; and that Tampa will be
third. st. Petersburg, fourth and
Pensacola fifth. when the next census
is taken. Since the figures were given
out by the Times-Union a remarkable
increase is also noted at West Palm
Beach.
There is one very remarkable thing
to be noted about the growth of Flor
ida cities, and that Is that Miami, st.
Petersburg and West Palm Beach are
not known as industrial centres, but
specifically as resort towns. They
have built up their wonderful increase
In population, not by an appeal to the
man who is looking for the establish
ment of business enterprises; not by
dwelling upon the importance of these
towns as export or import markets;
not by claiming proximity to any
trade centres, such as South American
or OrienaI markets, but by calling at
tention to the fact that these Florida
towns are delightful places for a win
tiers sojourn or all the year round
residence.
The lesson to be drawn from this is
self-evident; to build up a town you
must make it desirable from the
standpoint of the home-maker and
home seeker.
In a recent article appearing in the
Manufacturers Record and republish-
ed in The Journal, member of the
Aberthaw Construction Company calls
attention to the fact that it is not de-
sirable to bring new industries to
town, until that town is able to assim-
late them, particularly in the way. of
providing comfortable homes for the
workers.
A prominent Rotarian. Mr.. Albert
son. addressing the members of the
Rotary Club, the Kiwanis Club and
members of the Chamber of Com
merce, at banquet in his honor last
winter said that the test of the prog
ress of any town is it's appeal to the
home maker. He pointed out that
without this appeal. it might be possi-
Bile to get people to come to a. city in
large numbers. but that there could be
no permanency in any community. un-
less that community had good homes
and good schools.
This is true. Every citizen who is
worth the support of any community
is home-maker. He wants to see his
family comfortable and happy, he
wants his children to have the same
advantages, If not better. that children
of other prosperous communities en-
joy. If he is not this kind of a citi-
zen. then he is not worth cultivating.
The Journal does not believe that
this city will continue the second city
in population in the state. The Jour-
nal believes that in ten years from
now it will have climbed up to second
place. But with the advantages that
Pensacola possesses, this city should
be the first in the state.
Putting aside the old claims to pre-
cedence, such as the width and depth
of the bay; the fact that this port is
so near the steel and coal and lum-