The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-10-03
PENsAcoLAs DISGRACE


The establishment Of the new steam
ship line between Pensacola and south
Cuban ports, marks another step for
men who are responsible for this
enterprise have accomplished some
thing real and concrete for Pensa-
cola.
At this time, when the world of
commerce is focusing attention on
trade with Cuba and South Amer
icay and reaching out for such connec-
tions, the thing that counts is putting
ideas into execution, and establishing
means OF contact which win result in
trade.
You cannot span the waters with
hot air, however it may sizzle. You
cannot carry cargoes on ships Of
fancy. For the past few years there
has been much talk about trade con-
nectlons to the south Of us. These
men who have bought the vessel which
makes the first of the Pensacola
South Cuba Steamship Company. have
made their deeds talk for them.
The establishment OF the new steam
ship company is an growth Of the
of the Cuba South Coast
Trading Company, recently organized
here. The Importance Of these two
new business enterprises can hardly
be over estimated. And their very
importance throws into high relief a
need that Pensacola faces today.
The new steamship company will
use the terminals OF the Pensacola
ShipbuIlding Company for docking.
This Is rendered necessary because Of
the fact that Pensacola has no mu-
nicipal docks.
Ever since the signing Of the arm
istice, Pensacola has been making a
feeble fight for city owned docks. Ten
years ago the people OF this city voted
for these docks. and the story OF how
the public has been duped and deH
frauded of it's rights in this respect
IS old and threadbare. The three gen.
tlemen of city hall fame know. per-
haps, why the dock site has not yet
been chosen. The public has had sol
much sand thrown in its eyes that
It has been kept pretty busy keeping
its vision clear. But there are some
who can still see straight. And these
are beginning to wonder If the Grand
High Aroguls OF the city hall realize
what Pensacola Is losing while they
are at their little game of procrastina-
ton. AS they play both ends against
the middle, Pensacola marks time, in
stead OF moving forward and taking
her rightful place with other cities
OF the South.
The commissioners meet this after
noon and at this meeting some definite
decision should be reached. The Com
r,isSfonars have had several wears for
consideration OF this problem. They
have had expert opinion, and appar-
emily they are no nearer the solution
of the problem than they were when
the dock question came before the
people for the second time, immedi
ately following the war.
Whatever expert opinion" they
have needed they have had ample time
to receive. learn and inwardly digest
1t is time that the Three Wise Men
got busy and made up their minds as
to the site for the dock. While they
salter, and temporize. the people Of
Pensacola present sorry spectacle to
the world, claiming as they do, to
have the greatest port in the South
and not a city-owned terminal where
a 1000 ton vessel may be locked.
It has come to the point where the
citizens OF Pensacola are beginning to
wonder II the city commissioners are
as disinterested as they might be, and
the people are asking themselves ri
II can be that the Commissioners are
under the impression that this is a
private deal instead OF a matter of
public Importance.