The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1926-04-15
ROTARY CLUB
HOLDS LUNCHEON
ALTA CONCHA
CAMPAIGN FOR ERApIcA-
TON OF MOSQUITOES ONE
OF MAIN TOPICS DISCUSS
ED.

The two big questions brought
up at the Rotary luncheon at noon
today at the Hotel La Concha,
a campaign for the radiance of
mosquitoes and retention of
scavenger trucks, brought forth
the ground work of the situation,
finances. Members of the city
council, who were guests of the
Rotarians, explained the city's
low financial rating, at the meet
ing.
Mayor Leslie Al. Curry and
City Councilmen, Charles Smith,
Owen Sawyer and Willard Albury
were present at the meeting. Sen.
William II. Malone represented
the county, as county attorney.
DR.. j. Y. Porter, Sr., stated
that he had planned out a pro-
gram for this city as district
health official for Key West and
the Florida. He stated that he
had planned three minute talks at
the Monroe Theater between the
acts on mosquito radiance. He
had written to all members of the
medical profession in this city but
had not received any response.
DIR. William r. Warren answer
ed that he made no response to
Doctor Porter's request because he
believed that adequate inspection
and penalties for those that do not
control mosquitoes are the only
means of Kidding the city of mos
quitoes. If the citizens of this
town would oil and screen their
cisterns the whole problem would
be solved, he said.
Mr.. Albury spoke for the city
council, stating that the city was
in poor financial condition and
that fifty per cent of the taxes
had not been collected.
"You must get behind the de-
lihquent taxes; if you do not want
retrenchment," Mr.. Albury said.
Mr.. Albury also gave a detailed
account of the operation of scav-
enger trucks in Key West, men,
tioning the fact that Harry Gwynn
operated only four trucks at pres
ent whereas he was under con-
tract to operate five.
when these trucks carry only
two loads day are they giving
the proper service to the city,"
he said.
Mr.. Albury said that he believed
if these trucks were operated cor
rectly they would be sufficient for.
the city's needs. i,s.'<iis sol
Charles Roberts added that the
prisoners in the county Jail could
be employed in a campaign against
mosquitoes in Key West when the
necessary equipment is secured.
Charles Ketchum made a strong
plea to the Rotarians to get
squarely behind the city council
and go to its rescue. Money
makes the mare 60, Kctchum
said. The city must have adequate
finances before work can be done.
"Rotarians, let us assist the city
council get on a business basis. /"
Mr.. Ketchum asked.
Judge ]. yining Harris said that
there are sufficient ordinances to
start mosquito campaign. There
are only two question on which
the city should decide. They are
Does the city think it should take
definite and positive steps to ell
inmate mosquitoes and has it suf-
ficient funds?
Judge Harris said that this was
such an important question that
If the city council should decide
to do it, that il should retrench
on other things and that citizens
should give it their hearty sup
port.
Among the guests present at the
luncheon were: William E. Her
rem. secretary Of the national real
estate association; Paul o. Mere
dith, secretary of the state real
estate association; E. L. Hollis Of
Miami; Commandant Ralph Me-
Nicely, Warren Watrous. Coleman
Duncan, Charles Hansen. J. T. VIII
ford, managing editor of the Ha-
vana Post, and Mr.. Pendleton,
uncle of Major Andrew Pendle-
ton. of the Miller Bonding Com
pany.