The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-12-09
WHERE is THE MONEY COMING
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EhOM9
In a communication in favor Of Pala-
fox dock which had been written for
The Evening News, but was later
brought to The Journal for publication,
G. III. yillar attempts to do what four
teen members of the Society Of Amer
lean Engineers have been able to do
to show cause why Palafox dock is bet
ter than any other dock site in the city
Mr.. Villar states that he has exam
ined the Palafox dock and finds it the
best site for the docks, and gives
number of reasons to prove his con-
tentions. The Journal does not pre-
tend 10 be an expert on engineering
problems, and 1t believes that few
people are. and 1t is for this reason
that It is has always Advocated that
expert engineers make examination not
Of one site. but Of all dock sites in the
city
But The Journal has studied plans
and specifications furnished by engi-
neers, and these engineers say that the
available depth for berthing vessels at
the Palafox dock is between twelve and
twenty feet, which, of course, would
necessitate a large amount of dredging
to provide even a 2S-foot depth at the
wharf and dredging for a considerable
distance to reach the channel leading
to the L. and n. wharves.
Then, again, engineers have said that
In the matter of rail connection, it is
a question as to whether the dock as
built at present would carry the rails
necessary to provide shipside delivery
In any event. to provide safe rail and
warehouse facilities, it would be neees-
sary to construct a pier so as to carry
not less than 500 pounds to the square
foot, which Is the carrying load now
provided by the railroad wharves of
the city.
Engineers declare that, even If the
pier was able to carry such a load,
the question of securing rail connec-
ton with the existing railroads is q
most vital one. At least 500 feet OF
track must be built from Main street
to the bulShead line. in addition to the
pier tracks. These tracks, 1T is under
stood, would run up Palafox street If
but one track was provided for, which
would, of course, be entirely inadequate
for the handling of freight Additional
tracks would probably necessitate the
entire street width of Palafox, practi-
cally closing it to all vehicle traffic. or
1t might lead to the acquiring of prop
erty on either the east or west side of
Palafox street for the purpose of secur-
Ing bulkhead switching and storage
yards, which will be absolutely neees-
sary if Pensacola is to build a
municipal dock of practical value, and
thereby anywhere near seIf-sustain-
ing venture.
The selection Of this site also lessons
materially the use of labor to be en-
ployed on one thing which must be
purchase Of this property will reduce
the demand for labor, a condition that
should not maintain at this time.
To summarize the Palafox wharf, we
find the following:
Cost of property. $21T, 900
Dredging -.....,.........-..t $4,000
Irackage .........i....... .4.... 1890
Holding she'd. .......... -. 1856
Total ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. $500, 500
TO this must be added putting the
wharf in condition for heavy track
age; the cost OF acquiring additional
property for trackage: probable dam
age to abutting property owners, by
reason of railroad operations; the cost
Of insurance; free rental Tor FIVE years,
which entails a loss of 100000 and the
loss OF the present taxes, which are
$4,000 a year, or $4,000, for the five
years. Even if Palafox dock We're the
best dock In the entire United States,
where is the money coming from to de-
fray all Of these expenses2