The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-03-20
AN IMPOSSIBLE MAIL SERVICE


the powers that be ever read the papers.
or look at the map of the United States
We might think that we were entirely
forgotten if it was not for the frequency
with which we are handed another lemon.
Apparently there is an impression in
Washington that Key West is an un-
inhabited island lying somewhere south of
the Virgin Islands inhabited by a popula-
ton mainly distinguished by a iyearning
for bride paths and a passion for useless
employment
The latest blessing that it is proposed
to shower down upon us is Star Route
mail service, over a ferry that is designed
to transport passengers and which would
become floating insane asylum if it is
fated to wait for the mail trains from the
north which are usually from one to eight
hours late.
This arrangement would contribute to
our dangerous tropical charm, more
complete isolation from any temptation to
indulge in prompt and business like prac
tees - the matter of receiving and an
swcring communications by mail and
would add a tremendous punch to the
Western Union slogan, Don't write ;
wire, and would be very real contribu-
ton to the prosperity of the telephone and
telegraph companies.
Under the proposed arrangement
hon fc L.
nation and lovers learn to forget.
A letter mailed on Monday in Miami
would begin its progress toward Key West
on Tuesday, be received on Wednesday
answered (if at alb on the same day and
with luck, the reply might be received in
Miami on Friday
Or, if by chance, it was mailed on
Friday, the bad news would reach us OF
the following Monday
There is just one fine thing about this
proposition; it is so impracticable that
there is a fair chance that it will arouse
a protest that will command attention.
If the government can subsidize ali
mail to Puerto Rico, it seems reasonable
to suppose that can supply Key West
with what the Second Assistant Postmaster
promised not later than few weeks ago;
an excellent mail service until the ire
sumption of the train service statement
which throws some light on the extent to
which our present situation i; visualized by
the Post Office Department. Of course,
we do not propose to hold this public of
ricial to a rash and generous promise;
neither do we propose to consent to 'Star
Route service for city in which the bust
ness Of the local post office shows a sub
stantial increase over that done last year
as was stated in The Citizen of Feb. %.
At this rate of decline in service it
will only be question OF time before we
will be getting our mail addressed, fR. r.
3, Miami, Florida" and it will take some
doing to reconcile us to that.
In all seriousness we urge our mer-
chants, our citizens, and our civic organ
izatiOnS to get busy for once, and write to
our representatives in Washington and in
the strongest possible terms, urge that un-
I'll we have uninterrupted road cOmmuni-
cation with me mainland, that we have
daily air mail delivery for our first class
mail matter, and daily service for other
classes over the ferry. The pending cessa-
ton of service by the S. S. Cuba, makes this
all the more imperative. You owe it to
yourself and to your community to write
without delay to your congressman and
,cnatOr in Washington.