The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1938-01-14

From The American Eagle,

Much publicity is being given to the eff
ncient work of Special Prosecuting Attorney
Charles Dewey in breaking up organized racke-
teering in N. Y. City which was annually extort-
ing millions of dollars from business firms in
the great metropolis under the guise of 'protec-
ton"
Great credit is due MIR. Dewey for the eour-
age and ability he has exercised in breaking up
the activities of these gangsters But while he is
busy exterminating private raeketeering another
monster, even more threatening, has appeared on
form of various commissions authorized by legis-
iative enactment to formulate regulations and rules
of conduct for those engaged in certain lines of
business; to prosecute fine and mprison the pro-
prietors for violation thereof and compel them to
charge fixed price for their labor or products
which viii be determined by these industrial die
tators who, for lack of another designation, may
be appropriately referred to as legalized raeke-
teersl = -is.z.sss @
-. Always these special boards and commits
sions created by act of the Legislature for the
alleged purpose of protecting the dear consumer,
but instead the inevitable result is to create more
jobs for political office seekers to feed from the
backs of the taxpayers and the consumer pays
more than before for the commodity OF service
by the ruling.
Only the Florida Legislature has power to
make the laws of this state and it has no authority
under the constitution TO pass on to subsidiary
boards or commissions the power to make laws
for the control of special industries to fine or inn
prison their propretors for violation of said laws
to compel them to submit to price fixing re-
quirements
As notable example of these czaristic bodies
which are being created to dominate special in
dustries in this state take the Milk Board racket
for instance which was created for the alleged
purpose q psotecting the health OF the consumer
Another recently created and outstanding
legalized racket in the State of Florida is the Dry
Cleaning and Laundry Board.-alzo created to
protect CD the dear public.
Another outstanding legalized racket is the
State Hotel Commission which Ex-Governor Dave
Sholz positively promised to abolish Just rpior to
his election and then conveniently forgot -
And then there is the State Barber Beard
racket WHICH requires photographs. references and
examinations Of applicants -.
summing up cur conclusions from the fore
going. wish to issue note Of warning to this
effect. The bars now down in Florida to fur
Their unconstitutional acts BIZ the State Legisia-
tare in the creation of ezaristc boards and CON-
missions for the purpose Of debating to various
industries 10 how they shall conduct their bust
ness. and fixing the prices they shall charge. Il
The iaandrymen and dry cleaners, the dairymen
and harbers today vino are the victims. Tomorrow
i may be your business nat comes under the ban.
Fzuns iadioations. Florida needs Dewey to
hrcak up this legal racketeering now IN the in
eipieni stages. but which bids fair to spread 10
other lines of industry. Private raekeseering 5
bad enough IN al conscience. bat legafzed racke-
teering Is far more menaeing. As when backed
aeested b. organized government il clearly indi-
Gates offscal disregard 70 the constitutional right
70 life. liberty and the pursuit Of happiness
vAieh includes the right u make an honest Irving.
free and unhampered.