The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-06-04
4 LESSON ron PENSACOLA.


Of Florida, has made gain Of 440 per
cent in the past ten years, having
climbed from 5,471 in 1910 to 29.54s in
1920. gain Of z4.o7s. Commenting
on this. the Times Union says that this
has not often been duplicated in the
is not unprecedented, and cites the
growth of two Oklahoma towns. Mus
cogee and Oklahoma City. which made
gains of 494 and $40 per cent, respec-
lively.
The Times Union says; TT calls to
mind the early days of Chicago. when
that city jumped from 1853 in 1910 to
29.96s in 1850. In forty years more it
had over million people and now has
about two and half million.
IF Miami and Tampa continue the
rate of gain credited to them between
1915 and 1920 the former will be the
second city in Florida when the state
census Is taken in 1925 and if Miami
and Jacksonville continue their re-
spective rates of gain as stated by the
census for the next ten years the next
federal census wifi show Miami to be
the largest city in Florida.
"Of course we never can tell. Some
times cities grow rapidly for a while
and then slow down but they do not
always do 1t. Jacksonville and Miami
have about the same geogra phica1 and
relations to each other as San
Francisco and Los Angeles. In 1890
San Francisco had about six times as
many people as Los Angeles, little
more than three times as many in 1900
and about one-fourth more in 1910.
The census now being reported will
probably show Los Angeles to be larger
than San Francisco and each well
above half million in population.
Miami has now only a narrow trade
territory back of which is swamp. The
Everglades are being drained and set
tied and the land reclaimed is more
productive than any other on the
globe. AS the territory OF Miami is
extended by the drainage and the set
Element of the Everglades the city
will grow rapidly and may duplicate
the rate Of gain of the last ten years.
II, however, the gain for the next ten
years is only half as great in rate as
hat of the last ten Miami will have
more people in 1880 than the census
credits Jacksonville with now.
The census has shown the people of
Miami to be modest in their claims.
rhe people there estimated the popu-
alton of the city at various figures
rom 10000 to $4,000 and the count va
les from the smaller figure by only
hundred. Most cities have fallen thou
sands below the estimates Of their
people,"
Miami and st. Petersburg lead the
'tate in the percentage Of gain in pop
ilation during the past ten years. From
he census returns it is easily seen
hat the smaller cities are way ahead of
he larger cities of the state, in the
rains that have been made in popula-
ion. Studying the returns and analyz-
ng the reasons back Of the gain, one
actor stands out from all the rest,
md that is Publicity. The people of
Miami and st. Petersburg have adj
yertised their cities as have no other
titles in the state; both are tourist
owns and both have made their gains
argely through the tourists who have
'een drawn to Florida to enjoy the
winter climate, later to become per-
nanent residents.
Miami is probably the richest city
n the state. There is probably a
,reater amount of wealth conferred
here than in any other Florida town.
hat wealth did not come suddenly
r through any miracle, but because
diami has drawn to her every winter
nen and women attracted first by the
xcellent publicity and held through
he uniform courtesy which is shown
he visitor.
Pensacola is admirably located for
tourist town. There are more nat
raj opportunities for diversion here
han are offered by any other city
n Florida. But they are not suffi-
iently advertised. And even when
ourists do respond to the meagre adj
ertising that is sent out, no efforts
re made to render the visit attrac-
i've. When tourists come south they
ONE for amusement. Pensacola should
ave a regularly appointed guide,
aid a salary by the city or the civic
organizations, to introduce the tour
SITS to the best hunting and fishing
rounds in Florida. The highway
hould be finished and there should
e regular schedule of service by
oat and motor to the Gulf Beach; the
iolf links should be enlarged, and all
utdoors sports encouraged. And,
most of all. the tourists should meet
nth something more than casual cour-
esq. They should be made to feel
and they should be taken in
$ a part of the city.
AS 1t is. there is very little effort
1ade to get tourists to make Pensa-
ola their winter headquarters and |
sss effort made to entertain them |
fter they get here.
Pensacola will never grow from
ither boasting or boosting. And it |
axes something more than hard work. |
takes that cheapest. but most VAL
able of all factors in civic develop |
lent-courteous kindliness-to build |
p town. /
1t has been said that both Flagler !
nd Plant visited Pensacola, with a /
lew to locating some of their enter I
rises here, and were met with such /
cant courtesy and cooperation, that
9TH withdrew. This may or may not /
3 true, but it is certainly fact that /
ANY prospective settlers have been
reverted from locating here because !,
two very retrogressive factors-high /
rice OF real estate and lack of coop I
.ation. which is another name for
1urteSy |