The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-07-31
Bridge Commission Takes Steps
To Purchase Additional Portion
OF Railways Right Of Way

county for said years, either by
Chapter 17459 Acts OF 1885, or
otherwise as the receivers shall
require; and the city of Key West
in consideration of the benefits to
be derived by it in reestablishing
transportation facilities to it to
be accomplished under this agree
ment, agrees to relieve the re-
ceivers or railway property of all
taxes liable to it for the years
1885 and 1886. or, at their option
pay to the receivers sum
equivalent thereto. The title will
be free and clear of all other in
cumbrances."
To Retain TILE
The railway company will re-
tain title to equipments and acces-
sories as before mentioned and as
it may require or decide to re-
move therefrom but all of said
equipment and ties, track and
ballast which shall not be removed
within "a period of 10 months
from the effective date of the or
der of the Interstate Commerce
Commission, authorizing the
abandonment of the Key West
Extension. shall be deemed the
property of the state road de-
partment."
Further along in the agreement
and resolution for purchase: 1.-THE
title of said right of way will be
conveyed to the state road de-
partment and the descriptions in
the deed will be full and complete
in describing the right of way,
the title to which will be vested in
the state road department.
Acceptance of this offer will
constitute the contract, subject,
however, to the issuance by the
Inter State Commerce Commission
OF certificate of public neces-
sity and convenience for the
abandonment of the Key West Ex-
tension.
Understanding is that the re-
ceivers twill apply to the District
Court of the United States,
Southern District of Florida for
authority to accept this offer and
promptly take such necessary
steps to obtain authority from
constituted authorities to carry
the terms of the contract into eff
feet, and take such needful and
necessary steps to- clear the prop
erty from all liens and encum-
brances except such taxes as
aforesaid, in order that the title
may be we'll vested in the state
road department, free and clear
Of all liens and encumbrances."
Following the reading of the
communication Mr.. Curry. of the
bridge commission. analysed the
offer and stated that in his opin-
ion the idea of giving title to the
state road department of the part
of the right of way mentioned in
the offer was not sound.
He believes, he said, that giving
the title of the right of way to
the state road department, for
ever preeludes the possibility of a
railroad coming to Key West
again and that he did not want to
go on record as agreeing to the
proposition. He was of the opin-
ion the title should rest with Mon
roe county. He would only agree
in the event the city and county
heads did.
Followed a long discussion in
which Mr.. Porter and Mr.. Thomp-
son gave it as their opinion that
title resting with the state road
department would eventually
prove of greater benefit to the
county and it's people than would
be the case if title rested with
the county, and gave a number of
clear and sound reasons why this
would be so.
Vote Unanimous
Vote of the county commission
ers was then taken and it was
unanimously agreed the steps pro-
posed were decidedly correct and
the course outlined was the only
feasible one.
Immediately following the joint
meeting the bridge commission
met and signed the minutes, and
then repaired to the city hall
where meeting was held with
that body, with similar action be-
ing taken in the matter.
At this meeting Judge Taylor
explained the matter pertaining
to the issue, with several ques-
tons being asked by the council
men relative to the proposition,
all of which were answered by
Judge Taylor to the satisfaction
of all concerned. The resolution
was then read and unanimously
adopted on roll call.
ICE AT PLACES WI