The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1938-05-27
Observation-Disclosures.
PEOPLES FORUM
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PROTEST AGAINST
VANDALISM

EDITOR, Inc CITIZEN:
lam taking the liberty of writing
in protest against a situation that
most of us recognize as a disgrace
to the city of Key West.
We all have noticed how our
palm trees are dying throughout
the city. This blight is spreading
rapidly and may soon extermin-
ate the entire growth of palms on
the island. The factors contribut-
ing to this devastation are of two
categories: those inflicted by Ma
ture and those by Man.
Considering the8 natural causes
first, the palms have been afflict-
ed for some time with highly
contagious disease. Last year the
State Plant Board, after survey
ing the Situation, recommended
that all infected trees be imme-
diately cut down and burned and
the remaining trees treated with
a prophylactic spray. But nothing
was done about it. And since then
the disease has spread and dozens
of trees have died, entire blocks
being on the way to destruction.
How long will it be, one wonders,
before the island is entirely bar
rem of its chief claim to beauty
due to this inexcusable public in
difference?
In regard to Mans part in this
rape of Nature, we all know of
the depredations of the youthful
vandals of the town-those hordes
of brats that swarm over the
planted areas, stripping the trees
of nuts, fiber, and branches; in
Turing the bud and SO weakening
the trees that they fall a ready
victim of the bacterial rot. They
are killing trees by the dozens
and nothing is done to stop it..
May ask why?
But this callous disregard for
public decency is not confined to
the youth of the town. Recently
an entire block of fine eoconut
palms in the Martello Towers
section was burned by man of
presumed intelligence and judg-
n1ent just to clear the grass off a
small lot he owns. Many of those
trees win probably die and those
that survive will remain a charred
eyesore to all. May ! ask why in
Kew West a man is allowed to
deliberately set fire to the prop
erty Of others, an act which in
other communities is a criminal
effense? And how can this atti-
tude be reconciIed with the boast
that Key West has always been
a proud city?
Much money and effort has
been expended in the last four
years to develop Key West as a
tourist resort. One of the chief
attractions to outsiders is the
magnificent growth of palm trees
and other tropical flora, much of
which is found nowhere else in
the United States. / wonder how
many people will be interested in
driving all the way down here
not to mention building homes
when the island is stripped of its
palms?
The recent admirable key
West Declaration" has a false
ring in view of this wanton de-
struction of the city's natural
heritage. Should not our aim be
TO develop and increase the beau
ty Of the island instead of de-
stroying it?
If we are to salvage anything
from the wreckage that is now 60
ing on we must act, and act NOW
before il is too late.
TO this end I wish to submit
the following proposal:
That the city cooperate with
the State Plant Board in period
ic. survey of the flora Of the is
land. That every diseased tree
be cut down and burned and the
healthy ones sprayed. That a
scavenger service regularly clean
the debris from under the trees
TO prevent fires and keep the
streets looking decently. That a
law be passed declaring injury
to public trees a felony, That a
police patrol be detailed to stop
vandalism on all public and UNI
protected property. And finally
that public opinion be so aroused
that respect for Civic Decency
will be assured.
Only by acting Immediately
along these lines do l see how the
Kew West we all love can retain
It's distinction as the best place
Ia 1--we under the sun
RI. p. C0NNABI.E.
/ kIartsEo Tosyers.
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