The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-09-23
ouT-voTE THE KNOCKERS.

Wednesday morning, to take issue with
all and sundry in connection with a
number of things which, he points out,
are the matter with Pensacola. He
declares that she shall vote against
the bond issue. And he goes on to
say that Pensacola bas other more i'm
portant things to do at present"
Among which he cites the completion
Of the health program, Improvements
in our school system and improvement
of our waterfront with a municipal
dock, and belt line railroad.
The work of the public health pro-
gram is going forward in a very salts
factory manner, in spite of some OBJ
structionists, as evidence of which
may be cited the health conditions OBJ
tanning in Pensacola. It will continue
to go forward, because the more in
telligent and more progressive class of
citizens want to see Pensacola in a po-
sition to advertise to the world that it
is the cleanest and the safest place in
Florida for home seekers and inves-
tors.
The school matter and the municipal
dock problem are already out of the
way, so far as the citizens are con-
cerned. They have already sealed
these matters with the vote.
DIR. Borst, in backing up his argu-
ment against the bond issue says: THE
recent unfortunate earth quake at
Los Angeles will induce many tour
lists to look elsewhere for a winter
home. This gives us a golden oppor-
tunity to attract them to the Gulf
coast. Besides. railroad transportation
is more expensive now than ever"
II making these statements, it is
possible that DIR. Borst forgot which
cause he was espousing, that of the
bond advocates or that of the knocker.
No better argument could possibly be
offered for the bond issue than the
very facts he offers to discount it's ne
cessity.
The progressive business men of this
county agreed some time ago among
themselves that they would take for
their slogan This One Thing We Do"
until they had put over several propo-
sitions They put over the better
schools for Pensacola and sealed that
campaign with the approval of all who
believe IN the Square Deal. They put
over the municipal dock project, as
far as their jurisdiction goes. The
next thing, and the biggest thing is
for Escambia county to have good
roads. Without thees roads we shall
never have a full county development,
and without a back country, no city
can ever hope to expand to its full
growth.
1t is very desirable to attract tour
lists to West Florida and no doubt
campaign to that end will be inaugu-
rated by the citizens of Escambia
county, as soon as we are in position
to take care of the tourists after they
get here. The class of citizens who
are desirable as developers, will not
come to a county in any large number
until that county has a system of good
roads, which will make it possible for
them to carry on their farming opera
tions according to modern standards.
This they will never be able to do until
Escambia county is bonded for good
roads. The leisure class which finds
it's way to Los Angeles, the East Coast
and other resorts will never be attract
ed to West Florida in large numbers
until we have good roads, and, should
we attract them we should have diff
ficult job holding them, until we offer
them some form of recreation and ac-
commodation after they get here.
The 100000 bond issue for this
county means all the things that the
knockers so feelingly claim that we
ought to have for a great Pensacola
and more fully developed West Flor
- nFa nf nd
weep and wall over our sins of commits
sion and commission, the men who are
willing to put their shoulders to the
wheel to lift this county out of the
rut. are sweating blood and giving
their time, strength and money to the
of this county and city.
1t is a pity that it is possible for
every knocker to rush into print when
ever and however he chooses. But 1t
is always best to let them air their
views, for these views are usually the
best of arguments against what they
seek to prove,-which is always the
failure of something or somebody other
than themselves. Isl
One thing is very certain. If we
pass up this bond issue. West Florida
not recover in many years. If the bond
carries nothing can hold back our de-
Permanent roads will make it posi-
BILE to open up this territory as moth
ing else could do. 1t will mean better
farms and better farming conditions,
because it will mean greater opportup-
ity for development along all lines for
the farmer and his family; closer con-
nection with the city and the markets.
better facilities for education for the
children, and wider opportunity in
every way.
For Pensacola it will mean the de-
of the Gulf Beach, which
would mean that tourists coming into
Pensacola over the roads Of Escambia
county would be lured by the most
wonderful gulf beach in the South, and
would find accommodation at hotels
and cottages built right on the beach.
and furnished the outdoor pleasures
for which they come south, boating,
fishing. motoring, golfng.
The completion of the Gulf Beach