The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-04-29
PENSACOLA. we SALUTE THEE!

in local history as an epoch making
occasion of this decade. The coming
OF the knights Templar Communicates
to this city was an event of no small
significance and the pleasure that Pen
sacola had in entertaining them and
the honor it was felt to be, were most
sincere.
But the importance of this occasion
went deeper than that. This week has
proven that no matter how. great the
task may be. IL Pensacola goes for
ward with determination, and If
truly cooperative spirit is shown, it is
possible to remove mountains.
When the visit Of the knights Temp
lar Communicates to Pensacola was
first announced by the convention
committee of the chamber OF commerce
there were many to say that 1t couldn't
he done. There were many who de-
clared that Pensacola could not pos
sibly entertain four thousand knights
in one week.
Those who were optimistic enough
to believe that it could be done were
reminded by some of these doubters
that these men were from the most
prominent and wealthiest homes Of the
land, that their visit to Pensacola must
be such as would leave with them
pleasant memories, else it would be
worse than useless. These doubters
called attontion to the fact that it was
"a tremendous job" and that it would
take tremendous work.
1t did take tremendous work, and it
was tremendous job. But it was
a job so we'll done that the thousands
of knights who visited this city car
ried away with them the pleasantest
said that their visit here was the
brightest part of their trip south.
They were enthusiastic about the
town, about the bay, about the Naval
Air Station, about Fort Pickens and
Barrancas,-and about the bathing in
the Gulf and at Bayview.-for many
who did not cross to the island were
taken out to Bayview for a swim.
One of the Commanders of Chic
ago Commandery which numbers it's
millionaires by the dozen stated to a
member of the Journal staff that the
hospitality here would never be for
operation as you have here" he said,
gotten. with such people and such CO.
you can't keep your town back. 1t
is bound to grow"
And it was the fact that the doubt
ers at last became boosters, and that
Pensacola joined hands and worked
together for common cause-to en-
terrain the Knights Templars who
gathered here this week in such a
way that they might remember us for
hospitality that was sincere, and feel
that nothing was done for them but in
friendliness and regard, it was this
which sent them home boosters" for
Pensacola.
Too much could hardly be said in
praise of the chamber Of commerce and
the convention committee of that body;
it would be hard to say too much in
commentator of the splendid way in
which the members of the Occur de
Lion Commandery cooperated; it
would be difficult to say too much of
the cooperation OF the Louisville and
Nashville, and the splendid support
given by the Pensacola Yacht club, and
the way in which the Army and Navy
assisted or for the Pensacola Electric
company.
Without the cooperation OF Captain
Christy and Col. Brady 1t would not
have been possible to make the visit
to Pensacola anything like the success
that 1t was-and it is doubtful If the
great crowds could have been salts
factorily handled at all.
The mess hall where thousands were
to the visitors day after day relay
after relay Of guests being served. Re
ception committees and guides were on
hand at all hours to show the visitors
over the station, and so wonderful was
the spirit shown that there are no
words to convey the debt of gratitude
for this splendid service Of Captain
Christy or to thank Col. Brady of Fort
Barrancas for the interest shown at
Fort Pickens, where the knights and
their ladies were shown about the
and were given an oppor-
tunity for B. dip in the surf
And last but certainly not least of
the many aids in making the week the
success that it was, may
be mentioned the automobiles which
were placed at the service of the
be it understood, for a
few hours, not without chauffeur and |
guide, but with q man or woman at |
the wheel to take the knights and
their ladies to the navy yard and about |
the city.
Pensacola has had a big week and |
has handled the occasion In a big way. |
1t Is this same spirit OF cooperation |
which will carry Pensacola forward
and upward to success until 1t reaches
Its rightful place as a great city