The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-02-03
MUNICIPAL DOCKS and BELTLINE
BONDS Are WARMLY DISCUSSED AT
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SESSION
Resolution Is Passed 13 to z to
Investigate Proposed $780,
900 Bond Issue
BLOCKER TO NAME BOARD
L. V. HOlsberry Urges That No
Action in Opposition to
Project Be Taken

Following a discussion of the pro-
posed issue of bonds for municipal
docks and beltline railroad which at
times threatened TO become personal a
resolution was passed by the Chamber
of Commerce yesterday afternoon di-
recting the president of the chamber
to appoint a commission to investigate
the proposed issue. the need. of docks
and the city'S financial condition and
make recommendations as to the adj
visibility of the proposed work.
DR.. Blocker, who has on several oc-
casions recently announced himself as
being opposed to the docks, called yes
terday's meeting, made short speech
in which he accused the city of being
bankrupt and urged that the docks and
beltline movement be checked Under
the terms of the resolution which was
finally adopted by vote of i3 to 7,
DR.. Blocker is authorized TO name the
investigating and recommendations
committee.
James C.. Watson, who has lived in
Pensacola AZ years and whose father
was secretary of the old Commercial
Association. asked DR.. Blocker who was
to have the naming of the committee,
DR.. Blocker declared that Capt. Wat
sons question was an imputation that
he would be unfair, He told of the
tremendous work he has done in the
five years he has been president OF the
Chamber N Commerce and declared
that he had done everything himself.
none of the men who now want to
rush projects through" ever coming
to his aid.
Capt. Watson suggested that the
president, having shown himself OPP
posed TO the docks ought not out OF
| justice to himself name the investi-
eating commission. because he might
unconsciously name men who would be
opposed to the docks and beltline.
| Referring to the statement that the
city was bankrupt, Capt. Watson said
| that Pensacola had made more progress
! in the last five years-the bankrupt
period, than it had made anytime pre-
vious.
Capt. Watson tried to interrupt Or.
Blocker several times but was told to
'sit down" Likewise Mr.. Murphy
sought to slip a word into the discus
sion but was told to ''sit down, sir"
For a few minutes the meeting really
warmed up, but several of those in
favor of the municipal docks left the
meeting, declaring that there was no
hope for anything except unfavorable
action.
l.. V Holsberry spoke at length in
favor of the docks and declared that il
was much too easy for some people to.
kill projects. 1T is much easier 10
kill any project than to put II over"
Mr. Holsbcrry sadi land that is why
some people arc SO successful. They
are always on the killing side"
This matter was settled by the
voters" he said, ''and if you had any
kick or any argument TO make, that
was the time to make them. That time
is past and you ought TO abide by the
will of the majority of the voters. For
a few men TO come here and attempt
to set aside the will Of tho majority
is not democratic. it is not right and IL
is not in accord with the principles OF
American government"
T. l.. Cant spoke very briefly. lie
said simply that he held telegram
which said 1.-The shipping board Will
not be favorably disposed to any port
which has not municipal docks" and
that the city was not bankrupt
Paul II. Mcneil, Of the Crandall En-
gineering Co., of Boston. who are
chiefly interested in dry docks and re-
pair work, was asked by Mr.. HOlsber-
ry to tell what he knew in regard to
municipal docks. Mr.. Mcneil declared
that the freight rates to Pensacola are
the same as those TO other Gulf ports
and that the deciding factor why Mo-
bile and New Orleans received freightS
was one of terminal facilities. Jack
sonville's municipal docks are always
busy, he said and arc paying big re-
turns. Mr. Mcneil added that n i7O0X60
foot pier bulkhead dock rould be coH-
structed at Pensacola for 100000.
Thos II. Johnson, OF the Bruce Dry
docks, also spoke in favor Of the pro-
posed docks and beltline and declared
that if the city had been bankrupt his
company would never have spent S900.r
600 here, nor the Texas oil Company a
million and a half dollars. Il am
heartily in favor Of the docks" he de-
cIared land I trust this meeting will
not take if upon itself to make any
recommendations in opposition to the
bond sale"
Peter Murphy spoke at length against
the bond issue declaring that already
his taxes were so high he could scarce
ly afford to own property.
]. 6. Reese supported Mr.. Muldon's
resolution for an investigating com
mittee and was seconded in his support
by F.. r. Malone, who said he believed
an additional statement of the citys fl
nancial condition should be placed be-
fore the chamber. Mr.. Malone also
asked IL anyone present knew whether
or not Mobiles docks are paying re-
turns on the money invested.
Judge NJ. c. Hoffman was the strong
est supporter Of the proposed docks
and answered Mr.. Holsberry's state