The Pensacola journal., 1920-04-27
WHAT THEY SAW.

most successful from a standpoint OF
general prosperity. that Pensacola has
ever experienced. More money was
deposited in the banks, more business
was transacted by the merchants, more
industries were put under way than in
any other period Of community devel-
opment-
1t is claimed in some quarters that
Pensacola is at a stand-stin- But let
US see If this is true.
The financial and business houses
of the city are still doing rushing
business and Industrial development Is
still making wonderful headway.
The year 1919 was a great year, In
that, hostilities having ceased, busi-
ness men were in position to take up
their commercial plans where they had
left off, at the entrance of the United
States into the world war. Leftover
jobs were finished, and number Of
new enterprises were started.
When the Bankers Convention met
in Pensacola last week, it was with
pride in achievement that the business
men of this community introduced
them to the enterprises which have
been recently established here. as well
as the old business landmarks.
What did these men see-what have
they taken away with them besides a
picture OF the deepest bay south of
Newport News?"
They visited the greatest aviation
station in the world, and saw the men
in manouvre. They visited the biggest
and best shipbuilding plant south of
Norfolk, and saw the ships completed,
in process of construction, and learned
of the contract just entered into for six
more great steel vessels for a London
firm, built along much the same lines
as these which have been constructed
for the United States Shipping board.
They saw one of the largest floating
dry docks in the country, nearing ITS
com pletion; such a dock as will sur
pass anything of the kind on the Gulf
of Mexico.
They saw a great oil terminal, with
capacity of over six and quarter mil
lion gallons of oil; the best bunker
coal terminals on the gulf, and learned
of the municipal docks, now pending.
They visited one of the most mod
ern high density cotton congresses in
the south, fast nearing completion;
and were introduced to some of the
best farming land in Florida
They put up at one of the best
hotels in the state. and last, but per-
maps longest TO De Gemem Dered Oy
them, enjoyed a fish dinner on the
Gulf Beach.
Among those attending the conven-
ton were many to whom this was not
a first visit, and these men expressed
amazement at the rapid strides of de-
velopment here.
Not only at what has been accom-
.plished, but at the work that is still in
progress.
Pensacola is finishing off the jobs
undertaken last year, and getting ready
for new enterprises, among which is
the establishment of new trade routes
to foreign ports.
These men learned that the exports
shipped from Pensacola during the
past year were greater in volume than
exports of the entire state, with the
exception of Key West, and that last
year exceeded the combined exports of
the 1918 exports, including Key West.
They have gone away with a new
appreciation OF Pensacola and its op-
| portunities.
Nothing could have been a greater
advertisement for this city and section
than the convention of the bankers
and the message of Pensacola progress
which they will carry to others; un-
less it may be the coming convention
| of the newspaper men of the state
which meets in Pensacola in Ji1ne