The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-06-12
A NEW WAY TO CIVIC GROWTH

ing the population figures of other cities
and towns and seriously affected by the
vice of size-worship, are probably inter-
ested in plans to attract new residents.
The phobia that causes civic organi-
cations to measure all progress in mu-
nicipaity by the decennial counting of
noses is an. American phenomenon indicat-
ing something Of a failure to understand
and appreciate the real virtues that should
make city life enjoyable
-" We have long been familiar with the
yearning aspiration of towns and cities to
become Industrial centers and, more than
once, have been mildly amused at the
frantic efforts of home town boosters
to indulge in shadow boxing with figures
in an effort to prove TO a dubious inquirer
that the home town village offers advan-
tages rot to be approached by such way
side stations as New York, Philadelphia.
Chicago, st. Louis, San Francisco and
score Of other ambitious little communi-
ties.
Once in a while the lightning unex-
pectedly strikes and a small community
is overwhelmed by the social problems
that accompany an industrial plant that
swallows the municipality The boosters
are tickled to death because, for the most
part, they do not realize that in time MANY
Of the virtues of their home town will be
strangled in the struggle with economic
factors.
There is, of course, a desired balance
between industry and other factors that
make up well-rOunded city. However,
the activity of civic organizations and
home town boosters are too often directed
entirely toward industrial growth, while
other valuable assets of community life are
forgotten
We can easily imagine that readers of
this article, if they have followed us so far,
may be wondering what other avenues of
growth exist for the average municipality.
The point of the reader is well made and
the Interrogation should be answered.
To illustrate that we have in mind, let
us record what we heard a man say The
other day. After an absence of more than
ten years during which he had lived in
number of cities, the speaker declared
that. if he ever became able to select the
place of his residence, he would certainly
come back to Key West
While living here, he had not been
impressed by industrial possibilities. He
had, however, found life pleasant and en-
joyable. He liked what he called our phil
OsOphy Of living, which he described as a
balanced existence, with the proper divi-
sion of emphasis upon business and living
In some places, he said, one found too
much emphasis on the side lines Of life and
in others too much emphasis on business
activity. Here, however, he was impressed
with the possibilities afforded for a COM
plete and well rounded life.
Now, in our opinion. il is time for
some progressive town or city to make its
prime function the development of the cul-
tural activities which attract intelligent i'll
dividualS and afford the greatest opportu-
nifty for the development of children into
civilized men and women. To do this it will
be necessary to spend money sometimes to
provide nonprofitable returns, SO far as
money is concerned, and to promote the
development of many-so-called civic lux
uries. like parks, play grounds, libraries,
recreational centers. schools, churches.
and other organizations and institutions,
designed primarily TO serve human beings
without having to make money"
If this is attempted on broad scale,
i'll a way to attract intelligent people, there
will be a gradual acquisition of attractive
personalities In time, the word will spread
abroad that we have an asset not to be
duplicated in hundreds of other places,
and people will fight to live in our midst.
A JapaneSe statesman saws that war