The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-03-19
THE BRIDGE WILL BENEFIT THE
WHOLE SECTION

WHOLE SECTION
1t would be unbecoming OF The
Journal, Florida newspaper, to enter
into controversy regarding the man
ner in which the taxpayers of Alabama
should spend their money, but since
the construction of the proposed bridge
across Mobile bay which the Onlooker
of Foley, Ala. opposes in a front page
editorial. is of much interest TO PEN
sacola and West Florida in it's en-
tirety, as well as Alabama, especially
the southern portion, The Journal feels
that 1t is justified in making an ex-
preston Of it's views on the subject.
The Onlooker accuses Mobile and
Mobile county of trying ito pull the
wool" over the eyes Of the rest of the
Alabama people. Its reason for this
accusation is that Mobile county is
envious of Baldwin county, and that
the Mobile business men want the
people of Alabama to build a bridge
connecting Mobile and Baldwin coun-
ties in order that they may enjoy
larger portion of Baldwin county's
trade than they now do.
The Onlooker further asserts that
the Mobile commission men are behind
may some day handle the produce OF
Baldwin county, thus taking the pro-
duce and mercantile trade away from
the merchants of Baldwin county and
Pensacola.
To begin WITH we wish to say that
The Journal Is heartily in favor Of see
ing the bridge built.
It is true that Pensacola enjoys a
fairly good trade from the farmers of
Baldwin county, and will continue to
encourage this in every manner pos
sible. The Onlooker says that mo
bile's market is known by every farm
err OF Baldwin county as an exceedingly
poor one" This is probably the rea-
son why large number of those farm
! ecs bring their produce to Pensacola.
| But. would the construction Of the
bridge across Mobile bay hinder them
from continuing to bring their goods
| to Pensacola? This would of course,
be determined by the prices paid in
the respective cities. If this city is a
better market than Mobile, then let
the farmers use Pensacola as their
trading place; they will have just as
good road to travel over.
The Onlooker boasts of Baldwin
county as being the playground OF
Alabama-as being one of the richest
and most productive agricultural coun-
ties in the state There is reason for
this. 1t cannot be disputed that Bald
win county has been richly endowed
by nature-that il is the richest and
most productive in South Alabama.
This is true, but will these vast posi-
bilities ever be converted into realities
unless the people enter into some def
mite program of development?
1t is not q fight between any two
counties, or any two sections. 1t would
be contrary to the nature of things for
Baldwin county, or any single county,
to move forward while the adjacent
counties with practically the same
natural advantages, stood still.
The completion of the Old Spanish
trail would mean a highway, second
to none traversing the richest section
of the gulf coast. This highway, i'll
will not be forgotten. goes through
the richest section of Baldwin county
The Onlooker may harp about gulf
coast propaganda" for lack of a more
fitting argument, all it wants to, but
no single county will ever progress
individually until It comes to a full
understanding with the other counties
and all move on together.
The conference which opens in Mo-
bile Monday has been called for just
that purpose, and The journal cannot
help but believe that the Onlookers
attitude toward the proposed bridge is
not the sentiment of a majority of the
people OF Baldwin county. Would not
the state of Alabama be justified in
spending a half million dollars on this
bridge II in the course of few years
the investment would double itself
many times? We firmly believe that
the building Of the bridge would be
an investment never regretted by the
whole of Alabama, and for Baldwin
county-the section that would derive
as much, or more. benefit than any
other-to oppose it. we must frankly
say that we were dumbfounded to see
such a sentiment expressed by the
Onlooker, Baldwin county publica-
tlon
1t is not for The Journal TO say how
the Alabamians should spend their
money, but the Importance lof the
bridge across Mobile bay cannot be
denied.