The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-07-21
THOUSANDS AT
DEDICATION OF
VICTORY BRIDGE
{ Continued From Page One,

country then possessing only crude and
disconnected trails and beset In tho "a E,
with bays, rivers and drainage basin.
ana blocked by the ranch country OF 1-Ax-
as and the mountains and deserts ~ tba
| You were dreamers then, but it was ~
the dreamers that Emerson wrote when
he attributed the achievements of life
| to the enthusiasm of a few,
Today the Old Spanish Trail is "a ma
tionally recognized reality. bring from
washington, over the war department
signature, the statement that this high
was Is necessary to the plans being for
mulated for the national defense. On the
war plans map Of the general staff, this
highway is laid as of first Importance.
1t Is the artery Of service in the defense
of the nation, needed by the department.
ana they ask you and they are asking
the federal road bureau and, through
them, the state highway commissions, to
complete it without delay according to
best federal standards for road construc-
ton"
This highway that you dreamed of a
few years ago is to become the trunkline
that shall link in one, ali the Gulf Coast
defenses, all the Mexican border defenses
and the defenses of the South Atlantic
and South Pacific seaboards We have
no military highways in the United States
yet this southern highway is today rated
a national military necessity.
We have no national highway yet the
Old Spanish Trail today is nationally re-
cognized as a basic highway Of the United
States.
You carried on" until you achieved
success in this bridge, now you must
carry on" until you build your highway.
1t is a national need with the war de-
partment statement, there was issued at
Washington three other nationally i'm
portaRt statements. Your senators.
Fletcher and Trammell, and your con-
gressnen, Clark and Smithwick, Joined
in declaration with other senators and
congressman westward. that this highway
was one Of the basic trunklines of the
United States system, and anything that
can be done to hasten its completion win
be service Of national Importance"
This congressional declaration empha-
sizes the military, the tourist and the
national Interest in this project, and says
when the numerous highways from the
north. now building, are completed, this
southern trunkline must absorb and care
for the mass of travel that will seek these
southern borderlands. Because OF its
winter sunshine, its Gulf pleasures in
summer, and its background of ancient
and romantic history, its development
will make it the natural resort OF the
North Aemrican people"
1t was this strong and forceful decla- |
ration by these senators and congress- |
men. that helped the war department to
act with such decision.
vT11-- IL Tfora
in recent study of the trend of tourist
travel, stated that when the southern |
highway was opened and the highways
from the north were completed to New
Orleans, Mobile, Pensacola, Lake Charles, |
Houston, San Antonio and other south
ern cities, traffic would go south by the
quickest road, then play eastward and
westward. enjoying the scenes Of old his
tory and legend, and the sports and sun
shine of the territory across the CONT
nent.
There are $500, 900 pleasure cars owned
in the United States, the statement says.
and including families, this shows prob
ably $4,000, 900 people awaiting these
highways.
No crop that west Florida can plan fer
will equal this tourist crop when 1t comes.
Not only is it a cash crop leaving its
daily toll, but it will pour settlers on to
your lands and build up your country.
When this highway is open, your Access
sibiIity to northern centers, your climate
and your proven agricultural and ORCH
ard lands, will give you advantages SUI
perior to anything California had before
her highways revolutionized that state.
The great automobile travel era lies
ahead of us. In two years, II Florida has
not opened this trunkline through west
Florida, automobile travel in large. vol
uune will get to the Gulf west of Florida
and stay there.
Finally, / bring you the news that
The United States department Of educa-
lion has adopted the Old Spanish Trail
a. a part Of the course of study OF the
national highway movement it is recon-
nending to the public schools. And, in
his connection, let me say that the Ola
Spanish Trail has been adopted by public
schools for studying the beginnings OF
history on the North American Continent
children sem to love this coupling Of this
treat highway 9orject of today with Ola |
history Of yestef year. Our work won
"a complete until we have linked st. :
Augustine and San Diego. the beginnings ,
II Spanish history on the two oceans {
md have linked Tampa with Tampioo' for
hey are the eastern and western Gulf
,ateways OF ancient Spanish endeavor'
we. OF the west, are already carrying
,ur trunklines south to Tampieo and TO !
Mexico City. Mexico will be opened as
lew tourist play ground. Ia
The dream OF 1915 is today q system OF !
runklines Of 1000 miles. II IL the great
st highway project in the laAd CO.
,...I rnaartaking'' California has called
!, II will cost $3.50. 900 before 1t is
omnleted according to the standards
hat win be necessary. and you must
brow your heart and soul into the work
or grave tasks lie ahead. Toll and dis
oura cement have been the price msn
ave paid to keep this work alive ana
ou, too, must give with faith and good
,ill for men viii not always generously '
erve as they have been doing In the