The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1934-04-05
Port at Key West becomes more and more


: Port at Key West becomes more and more
apparent
In actual practice the operation of a
Free Port is not confined merely to the ex-
change of cargoes. In many cases the
manufacture of articles from foreign ma
terials and reshipment of the manufactured
products to foreign countries and to
other ports Of the country containing the
Free Port is allowed. In these cases the
duties are imposed as for manufactured
articles or an arrangement can be made
by which material intended for the coun-
try sponsoring the Free Port may be enter
ed as raw material bearing the CORE
spending charges. In any case, modifica-
ton such as grading, blending, packing,
ETC., of the original material is allowed
within the area of the Free Port.
The most recent and comprehensive re-
port on Foreign Trade Zones, compiled by
the Corps of Engineers, u. S. Army, and
the Bureau of Operations, U. S. Shipping
Board, contains the following conclusion:
AS result of study of all avail
able information, the conclusion is
reached that free ports have aided
the development of commerce and
merchant shipping in a large number
of countries where now established
The report points out that one of the
features involved is that the ports have
operated as "centers for transshipment to
nearby countries" and wish to emphasize
that Key West is the nearest point in the
United States to the NEARBY countries" of
Latin America.
If the various free ports throughout the
world have been successful and have full
filled the object of stimulating commerce
as is clearly the case, in spite of their many
handicaps, then how much more reason
able it is to assume that such an establish
ment at Key West with its many advan-
tages would be successful. Any terminal
requires facilities and conditions making
rapid exchange of cargo possible. Com
pare the effect of the climate of northern
Europe and that of Key West in relation
to this feature. Compare the expensive tt
dial basins required in Europe with the
ease of construction at Key West Com
pare the expense of channels running for
miles inland to some of the cities of Eur
Ope with the straight short channel from
the Gulf Stream. Compare the longest
ed locations of some of the European free
ports, their lack of room for expansion,
their difficulty of control, ETC., with con-
ditions at Key West where completely
isolated area capable of indefinite expan-
sion Is available. The conclusions in this
case are obvious.
tic CAdCb tOCdJiOH VI UCItHlHK anu
warehouse space, their arrangement, ETC.,
are matters of detail that can be decided
upon only after further investigation. The
plan accompanying this report shows the
best location for Free Port This develop
ment centers about Fleming Key lying
just to the northwest of Key West. This ]
island, the surrounding shoals and the
shoals to the westward all belong to the
Federal Government and are under the
jurisdiction of the Navy Department. Any
waterfront development in Key West
would become a tremendous asset to the
Navy in time of war. After many years of
professional experience with the Navy, /
predict that at the proper time the Navy
Department will cooperate to the fullest
extent for the encouragement of the
American merchant marine
The fact that sufficient berthing and
warehouse space does not exist at present
in Key West is no handicap. To be sue
cessful any port must offer financial in
ducements to vessels and these can be pro-
vided only with most modern layout and
most modern equipment. Many harbors
are so formed that limited development is
entirely practicable but great difficulty
and expense are encountered in further
development. Key West is not so formed
lin fact practically unlimited develop
ment is practicable at very reasonable ex-
pense.
wish to record without qualification
that there issno climatic or physical condie
ton that would make it impracticable to
construct Free Port at Key West, that it
is my belief that Key West is the logical
point in southeastern United States for
such an establishment and that / antici-
pate the construction of Free Port at Key
West within ten years.
CONCLUSION
Summarizing the results of my investi-
Il n IL.