The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-10-10
PATIENTLY WAITING.

The city commissioners, after delay
OF many months, have at last called in
consultation a government engineer.
who has been asked to make a report
on tie dock sites. Many months ago
Major johnson, OF Montgomery, wrote
70 Mayor Sanders and others in PEN
sacola. and In transmitting to them the
text Of an act Of congress. authorizing
the forces OF the United States gov
ernrhetn to cooperate with municipal
tiles, municipalities or corporations, in
any plans for port development they
might have in view, offered his SER
vices to Pensacola in this connection
This offer was never accepted.
Now the city commissioners have
requested Captain ]. e. Turtle, one of
the ablest Of government engineers.
and one who has had much engineering
experience IN these waters, to make a
report on the municipal dock sites.
This Captain Turtle has consented 20
do.
From the beginning there has been
much discussion as to the dock site,
and each location has its hackers.
Some OF the opinions that have been
%l~aA4 va
nation OF the utmost Importance. All
discussion has been helpful. as It has
kept the matter from languishing, and
at last dying q death at the hands OF
city officials. az It did ten years ago.
when the officials refused to place
the bonds on sale after they had been
voted BY the people.
The opinion Of the commissioners
~ OF little Importance in this matter.
They we're placed In office to carry out
the will Of the people The fact that
they do not consider the funds suffi-
cient IL Of no material value. one way
or the other.
The important fact to be considered
Is that engineers who have made esti-
mates do consider the funds sufficient
for present needs, and that plans have
been drawn by them to meet these
needs. which allow for units capable OF
expansion. and which may be added tn
from time to time, AZ the city grows
and the need arises.
If the commissioners had taken the
advice OF the American Society Of En-
sineers given to them In letter writ
ten last February, they would have
called In government engineers many
months ago. No doubt, Captain Tur-
tie would have served them before az
willingly as he has consented to serve
them now.
But this they did not do. And while
they have waited. for reasons known
only to themselves. the need for pubic
work and employment OF labor has
grown here. as elsewhere.
The employment OF LABOR is the great
problem before the people OF the Uni-
ted states today. Pensacola is working
for more industries. that labor may be
employed.
] And while we are reaching for out
side capital to come In and Join hands
with local capital in building up tae
town, more than a quarter Of mil
| lion dollars. for which the people have
taxed themselves for the upbullding OF
the town. is lying idle. because the
commissioners have waited for mo.
than year to ask the aid of govern n
ment ems 4neers In determining the best
site for tne cocks.
Let as hope mat the report OF Cap
tain Turtle viii be considered, and
that this leport win fully cover every
site. having received 1t, let us hope
that the commissioners may be able
TO come to some decision, and that the
peoples money may be put ut once
to the use for wn4cn IL was intended