The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-01-28

resources 1t is acknowledged that nothing will do
more to advertise Pensacola to the world than will
the centennial, if properly carried out.
In order to put the centennial in Pensacola, as
has been the in every city where a great ex-
position has been held, it will be necessary to Sc
cure federal aid. In order to get this aid Pensa-
cola cannot hope to depend solely upon the repre-
sentatives- in congress.
In every case where a worlds fair has been held
a strong delegation has been sent to Washington to
present claims and to urge upon congress the nee
essity of appropriations. When the centennial move
ment first started here, Pensacola men went
personally to Washington. and received every en-
couragement and had it not been for the world war;
the probability is that the appropriation would have
been secured at that time.
Five millions of dollars or more would not be too
much for Pensacola to ask of the government; mil
lions are being spent the port of Jacksonville
alone; because Pensacola does not need wider and
deeper port, is not argument for no governmental aid
for this community. But we will not get that aid
until we fight for it.
Jacksonville and Miami and Tampa and Mobile and
New Orleans do not sit supnely down and wait for
George to do it." They go out and do some of their
hustling themselves. There is a man in Washing
ton today who would probably be willing to repre-
sent us, and make plea for Pensacola That man is
c. E. Dobson. There is in the United States
better informed as to Pensacolas possibilities and
Pensacola's needs. As a president of the Chamber
of Commerce of Pensacola, Mr. Dobson was a live
wire. He had way of getting things done One of
the most important books issued by the United
States government was that which was published by
the Emergency Fleet Corporation and which gave in
detail the important facts connected with every port
in the United States Mr. Dobson edited that booklet
His advice would prove invaluable. He Knows con-
gress well; he would be of tremendous help in put
ting over the move for appropriation
However it is worked out some plan should i'm
mediaely be set in notion and it should not be left
solely to Senators Fletcher and Trammell and Con
gresham Smithwiek to put this thing through How
ever willing them may be, they cannot put it through
without aid. That is up to Pensacola. And Pensa-
cola put it through she goes out after it with
the same vgor that she went out after the cen
tennial designation Committee after committee
went from this city to make plea for Pensacola as
the centennial site. Now. unless the acts of the
legislature of i9i5-i97 are revoked Pensacola is the
centennial city
If Pensacola secures five million dollar appro-
priation from the United States government with the
amount already assured here and a state approprfa-
ton made through the next legislature. or through
cities and counties of the state million dollar
fund should be secured.
At any rate. Pensacola cannot afford now to sleep
at the switch 1t is up to use to make good.
We have work cut out for US to do We have
pledged ourselves to do that work. We have held
public meetings. have had public speakings we
have voted the question. and the ayes have had
it. We have sent bearing our message to
Tallahassee. and Jacksonville the centennial com
mission has sent its representative to Tampa and
Miami, and have declared that if were desig-
mated the centennial city we would put this thing
over. Now that have received the nomination.
let put it Overland put it over right