The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-12-31
HERE IS MORE ABOUT
WANT FLEET
STARTS ON PAGE ONE

and others win meet tomorrow to, de-
termine fleet maneuvers Senator
Fletcher and l are urging advantages
| of Pensacola for portion of squadron
Yesterday the following wire was
received from Mr.. Smithwicll mo de-
cision yet Department considering
Pensacola, along with other places
Federa1 and county officers and
members of various civic organiza-
tons met yesterday afternoon in the
Auditorium of the Chamber of Com
merce for the purpose of combining
forces and placing the strength of
these organizations back of the move
ment toward getting the Atlantic fleet
to winter in these waters.
Pursuant to a request Of the Cham
Der of Commerce, which has placed
itself solidly back of the efforts which
are being made to prevail ON the navy
to send the fleet to Pensacola, repre-
sentatives from the office of the dis
trict ettorney, the United States mar
shars office, the prohibition enforce
ment officer, the collector of customs
office, the various civic organizations
and the Chamber of Commerce were
all present at the meetings, and some
strong talks were made going to show
that these men and their organizations
would give to the navy their hearty
support in the event that the fleet
was sent to Pensacola.
No representatives from the city,
either the commissioners or police
force, were present at the meeting. 1t
extended them. and that while no rep
resentatives were present, those who
attended the meeting felt sure of their
cooperation.
Speaking for the district attorney G.
Earl Hoffman said that Mr.. Cubberley
had stated that he would render every
possible service to the government
and aid in maintaining morale in every
legitimate and possible way in the
event that the fleet was sent to Pensa-
cola. Mr. Hoffman stated that during
and since the war the district attor-
ney's office had done everything in its
power to put a stop to Illicit sale of
liquor, and that the officers would con-
tinue to do all that was possible to
that end.
Sheriff Cary Ellis spoke at some
length of the difficulties which the
sheriff's office confronts in trying to
prevent bootlegging and all kinds of
liquor traffic in the county. He said
that one of the great difficulties which
was met with in his office was that
frequently after a man had been ar
rested and the officers were certain of
his guilt, he is freed by jury which
is more or less in sympathy with the
prisoner. He said that the situation
| in Pensacola today is very serious and
difficult to cope with. 1t is hard to
get proof and where that proof is OBJ
tainable, it is equally hard to get a
conviction.
Mr.. Ellis said that he would do all
in his power to put an end to liquor
traffic, provided the public would stand
back of him in his efforts. When asked
just how they could help, he said one
way which the private citizen could
be Of service was to act on the jury
when called.
Too often. he said, men refused to act
on jury. giving some business or
other excuse, and that he believed if
the best men Of the community would
look upon it as their duty to serve
that this would help materially
Richard Stearns, prohibition enforce
ment officer, stated that he would do
all possible to aid in the movement
put that the problem was serious one
and he would need additional help
Mr. Hoffman stated that IL the fleet
came to Pensacola it would be very
easy to obtain additional officers from
the government.
Peter Miller, United States marshal
said that he would aid in any way
possible. He said that at present his
office was making every effort to en-
force the Law, and would continue to
do So
Mr. Curry. collector Of customs. de-
clared that his Office would do any
thing in its power that properly came
within its Jurisdiction TO aid in the
work
Gus Soderlind, speaking for the
county commissioners, declared that
the county would do its part II the
navy would do likewise. to enforce Law
and order.
Lee MacDoneH or the Pensacola IN
dustrial Commission pointed out that
the movement to which these men
were pledging their support was Of
the utmost Importance as Pensacola
is the logical winter. rendezvous OF the