The Chronicle-star combined with the Moss Point advertiser., 1945-04-27

Concern has been expressed by some business men over
"a falling off in business during the past few weeks and dire
In the first place, this falling off in business marks the
beginning of a return to normally in Pascagoula and Moss
Point and is something that we all should have known was
coming.
The past few years in this area have been abnormal in
business than they could handle, and, in adjusting themselves
10 this level. may have lost sight of the fact that a return to
adjust ourselves to it, the easier the return will be.
y Now for a few facts VS.. rumors:
Rumors concerning a cut to a 40-hour week at the ship
yard; predicted layoffs at the yard running into thousands;
and others equally fantastic.
Pascagoula is still on the critical area list and as long as 1t
remains on il d 48-hour work week is mandatory. AS far
as we can determine the shipyard employment will level off
already contracted for will maintain this level of employment
Through the first six months of 1916 without additional busi-
ness, and propects are that more business will be contracted
This work in prospect includes three Ambition dollar all
welded dredges for the u. S. Engineers, the first to be started
in October; three combination cargo-passenger vessels for the
Mississippi Shipping Company and seven conversions for the
.Moore-McCormack Company.
In addition to this. work on the first Diesel electric loco
motive will start next month, and this will open an entirely
new field to the yard and as it expands, will possibly increase
the employment there substantially.
Several smaller industries have indicated that they will
locate in the Pascagoula-Moss Point area as soon as materials
for building and manufacture are available.
The Jackson County Wooden Mill, when materials be-
come available, will add a minimum of 500 and possibly more
TO its present employment, and employment at the Moss Point
Mill of the Southern Kraft Corporation, will also stabilize at
approximately 800 persons.
Our port facilities will undergo development, both for
deep water and as a result of increased traffic in the inter-
coastal cana.
Indications are that the population of Pascagoula will
stabilize, conservatively, at more than triple what it was ac-
cording to the last census. Most of the government housing
here is temporary and will be torn down when hostilties
cease. On the basis of this increased population, the building
program, both business and private housing, in prospect is
staggering.
AS a result of this slight levelling off, our population will
also be stable. As an example, the Moss Point Mill in 1914
employed more than 5000 persons to maintain a payroll of
$50 to 800. This settling down gives the foundation for future
building of the Pascagoula,Moss Point area into the most
thriving section on the Gulf Coast.
All in all, we believe Pascagoula and Moss Point are in
possibly the most favorable position of any similar commun-
tiles in the country.
We viii have jobs, both for the men and women return
ing from the armed services, and the good citizens who want
to remain with us.
# we convince ourselves of this fact and work with it
in mind there is no limit to what we can accomplish.