The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-04-30

NEW THREAT TO HIGHWAY
(Editorial)

Recent weeks have seen more gratifying prospects
for highway communication with the mainland than we
have seen in many previous months.
When it became evident that would be like chill
dren crying for the if persisted in demand for
something that all want-the railroad with every evil
dence that the tide of offcaldom was setting strongly
against that project the citizens Key West assembled
in the courthouse and the chairman of the state
road department, Chester B. Treadway that they would
be sody back of him in his effort the next best
thing-a highway the viaducts
In uncertain Tone Mr. Treadway warned us that
the thing that might defeat his presentation
cause would be evidence of dsunity of purpose; and
that the successful outcome of his work would be largely
dependent upon the harmonious solidarity of the
munity.
Backed by the official endorsement of the County
Commission and the City Council he set forth upon his
mission with every of united support and
have to believe that he has worked faith
fully and untrngly to eliminate the barrier that stands
between and the flood of prosperity that pouring
the region only few miles north of Like water ping
up against dam, is flowing into the South and the
only do not profit by the rising tide the lack
of highway which it may come
The welfare of every man, and child in Key
West is now jeopardized by the circulation of petition
which can have at the best only the result of delay of
months in the inauguration of the work of bridging
water that is stranglng and at the possible worst
may result in its indefinite delay
We have every sympathy with the desires of those
who long for The resumption of railway traffic. but we
can only, most solemny and seriously deplore their we'll
meant but ill-judged efforts.
The railroad here in the first place because
able fnancier it profitable investment 1t will
again when economic conditions warrant like
optimistic outlook And the first STEP and the only step
available to in present situation is the establish
ment of the prosperity that state highway would bring
to community.
The c. Co. which has the last word in such matters
forces improvements upon communities torn by divided
opinions is the easiest matter in the world get petit
tons signed If petition proposing that the most popular
and useful citizen in community be hung to be
circulated would be plentful signed by citizens who
| had never bothered to read it.
The only effect that the petition now being circulated
have to convince the powers that be that anything
they do will be unsatisfactory to section of the
munty; and the natural result will be that they will de-
eide to do nothing until agree upon what
The Citizen urges those who have signed the petition
without due consideration that their names are
moved from it, and do this in the of the suffer-
ing people of Key West
We ask citizens of Key West if they have given due
weight to the fact that this petition originated not Key
West where the resumption of traffic matter life
and death to the city, but that from section of
the keys where automobile traffic is already
pished fact; region in the possession of
munication with the mainland matter what course
events may take.
We do regard this as an intentional injury to the
Island City, but the less the fact remains that they
have everything to gain and nothing to lose in their i'll
judged efforts to secure train service.
Key West is in such happy situation. We desire
the railroad much any dweler the upper keys
but not take the long chance of securing ia
thousand to chance-at the risk o community
+, life.
If you have not signed the petition firmly refuse
sign it. Appeal to the those circulating
it and in the of fairness justice to Key West
urge them to desst If you have already signed, and
sober second thought regret it, that your
moved.
In all the critical times that Key West has expert
enced there has been time fraught with danger
the city which in all these troublous years people
have chung with mistaken loyalty.
Never before has it been so tragically true that
| UNITED WE STAND: DIVIDED WE FALL,
EpnAH NOW ON PIT cTI1,Y 70 VIZ