The Chronicle star the Moss Point advertiser., 1949-12-30
A Glance Bockwurd---And Ahead

will pay substantial economic dividends not too far in
the future.
This progress has largely been based on development
along natural lnes-that is. using what we have, our
natural assets and resources-to build sohdly and firmly
for the future.
The past year, economically, has been our severest in
a leveling off process. Despite this, however, a recent
check shows the business of merchant after merchant for
this year was equal to or ahead of last year. The level
ing off process has not, then, been too severe-and eer-
tainly not nearly SO drastic as in many other areas similar
to ours. .avAuH
During the past year we saw the start Of our port pro-
gram with the first export cargo shipped out Of Pasca-
soula. 1t was a small start-a mere crawling baby-but
= start that promises much for the future. 1t has been
confined solely to the export of railroad crosstios. but
other things are in the wind.
One is oil. We have always believed that Pasca-
goulas destiny as a port is tied irrevocably to the de-
veloping oil industry in the state. Already surveys have
been made, and plans are in process of formulation that
will make Pascagoula the oil port for almost the entire
production of Mississippi. 1t can, and we believe will,
mean that Pascagoula will take its rightful place as a
thriving Gulf port. What makes this possible? Our
natural assets-a sheltered port, a short, easily maintained
deep water channel and an unlimited amount of land
subject to industrial development.
Then there is the Moore plant at Ocean Springs.
This will not only affect economic conditions in that city,
but will be a boost to the entire county. It will mark
the first large industrial payroll at Ocean Springs, and
tend to bring to a balance the industrial spread in the
county.
We also saw the ingalls, shipyard win a contract for
construction of the prototype" vessel for the US Mari
time Commission. This is a contract that will have far
reaching affect on local shipbuilding. as the vessel is the
experimental model for a type that will be the future
backbone of the nations merchant marine. 1t will put
ingalls, in an extremely favorable position in bidding on
future contracts for this type ship.
We saw, during the past 80 days, the first concrete
result of the long fight and plans to bring the tuna in
dustry to the Gulf Coast This started more than a year
ago when W. B. Herring and Hermes F. Gautier went to
the West Coast as representatives of the Port Commission
to see, talk and negotiate with tuna interests there.
Now we have a proposal for the first plant. If it is
successfully concluded, it will, we believe, mark the shift
of a major portion of the multi-milion dollar Pacific Coast
industry. Once more, what's the reason? The answer
lies in our natural resources and assets. We are closer
to the Pacific fishing grounds. We can offer an unlimited
amount Of industrial sites adjacent to our waterways. We
have a supply of labor and fishermen who will adapt
themselves to the new industry like ducks to water. We
are nearer the centers of heaviest population and have
freight rate advantages over the Pacific coast. 1t again
all adds up to development along natural lines.
Finally. we saw Pascaqoula selected as base for the
new fish and wildlife service experimental fishing vessel
Oregon. The vessel is due here Jan. 8 and. in our humble
opinion, the location of this ship and its sister vessel tho
Alaska. In Gulf ports to carry on experimental work in
developing Gull fishing grounds marks one of the most
significant steps we have ever seen in our economic de-
velopment.
1t will mean a scientific approach to discovery and
development of the 100000 square miles of Gulf waters
that wash our shores and which contain unlimited, but
little known, resources waiting development that will add
immeasurably to our welfare and economy.
We see our other industries, the international Paper
Company, and the Peterzell and Gelles mill thriving with
steady or increasing employment. We see our smaller
industries also moving along, healthy and sound.
We see a new million-dollar courthouse at Pascagoula
nearing completion, as well as other construction through
out the county.
To say that Jackson county is over the economic
hump with a downhill drag is. we believe, not being opti-
mistic but simply stating facts based on concrete events.