The St. Lucie County tribune. (Fort Pierce, St. Lucie County, Fla.) 1905-1920, 1911-07-07
THE PRESIDENT
Will ATTEND
Will Visit Key West on Opening
OF "Over-Sea" Railroad
NATIONAL IMPORTANCE
President Taft Asked to Invite Foreign
Nations Great Event of January End
Will Mark New Era in Florida


Key West will celebrate the arrival
OF the first through train next January
with monster celebration of interna-
tlonal character, to which representa-
tlves of the United States and foreign
governments will he invited. 1t will be
known as "Over-Sea Railroad Celebra-
ton. The city and county authorities
have given $40, 600 towards the fund
for the celebration and the committee
in charge is composed of fifteen of the
best known men of Key West.
This celebration will mark the com.
pletion of the oversee railroad. and it
will he the furthest point in the United
States to which any railroad has yet
been built. 1t is of national import
ance, because of the great volume of
trade which is expected to follow the
completion of the Panama canal. This
date will also celebrate the eighty. third
birthday of Henry M. Flagler, and it is
proposed by the trade bodies of Key
West to make it one long to be remem-
bered.
Senator Bryan, Congressman Frank
Clark and II. j. l.. Brown, of Tampa,
last Friday called on President Taft
and invited him to be present at the
celebration marking the completion of
the over sea railroad to Key West.
which will begin January and continue
for ten days. Mr.. Taft did not make a
definite promise that he would go to
Florida. but it is the belief of those who
saw him that the invitation will be ac.
cepted, because Of the international
importance attached to the event.
In connection with the event Con-
gresham Clark has introduced resO-
luton authorizing the President to in
vite foreign nations to send vessels and
9th .rwise engage in the celebration.
Mr.. Clark said that if the President ac-
cepts the invitation, a special train will
be run to Key West from Washington
and in that case in all probability a
large number of high government offici-
ais will attend. He is enthusiastic
about the event and believes that the
completion of the railroad will mark an
era in the industrial history of Florida
which has never yet been equaled. He
feels certain the President will attend.
In part, the resolution is as follows:
"Whereas, the citizens of the city Of
Key West propose by appropriate cere..
monies, beginning on the second day OF
January, 1912, to celebrate the COM
pletion of the building of the extension
of the main line of road of the Florida
East Coast Railway Company from the
mainland of the State of Florida to the
island city of Key West; and,
Whereas, the completion of this line
miles over sea, will mark the finish of
the greatest engineering enterprise OF
the age; and,
suit of the constructive ability OF
American genius, and has been made
possible by the patriotic and progress
i've enterprise of it's American promo
tiers and builders; and,
Whereas, this marvellous accom-
plishment places the railways of the
limited States in much closer proximity
TO the Panama canal and gives our
country commanding position with re.
lation to the trade of all our neighbor-
ing republics to the southwark, thus
making the enterprise one OF both ma,
tional and international Importance. and
its successful completion cause Tor ma
tional congratulation; therefore, be it
Resolved, That the President of the
limited States be earnestly requested to
extend to all foreign nations an invita-,
ton to visit the city OF Key West ana
participate in the celebration OF the
completion of said oversee railroad so
connecting the mainland OF the United
States with said island city of Key
West. both by their official Represent
aiives and citizens generally. and par
t;cularlv to invite such foreign coun.
tries to send such of their respective
naval vessels as may be practicable ana
Convenient to participate in such ceie-
bration so to be held, beginning on the
SECOND day of January. A. d. 1872,
"Resolved, further, That the Presl.
don't he requested to direct such fleet
or vessels of the United States navy as
NAV be convenient thereto. to he pres
ent at Key West at time OF such ce'e'
bration and participate therein.
"Resolved, further, That the Presi.
dent be requested to direct such portion
Of the army of the United States as
NAV be convenient and practlcaDle TO
hs nresent at Key West at the time OF
such proposed celebration ana part'c'-
pate therein.
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