The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1938-06-15
steee eooae .
TOO LATE TO
CLASSIFY
By RUSSELL KAY

week VI SGG Wtldt lllE OlQ lOWH
looked like durin' the "off'' sea-
son and it sure was quiet. Hotel
Hobbies, usually teeming with
legislators, contractors, lobbyists,
pardon seekers or favor hunters,
were deserted. Streets were prac-
tically empty. Parking spaces
were essay to find. Folks you met
were not burdened with brief cas-
es and worried looks. When you
did find three or four in a group
they usually were talkin' about
fishin' or golf rather than poll
tics.
The state house was deserted as
far as the governor and cabinet
officers were concerned. The
slaves who put in their time an
noyin' typewriters, poundin' on
addin' machines and doin' other
routine chores sat listlessly about
sitting offices, and visitors-even
tramp newspapermen-were well
come.
With Governor Fred away,
chasin' tarpon at Boca Grande,
Mrs. Neel, his personal secretary,
who does a swell job of standin'
guard at the inner door, was re-
lieved of the task of fightin' off
the rabble that is constantly try
in to get in the Chief Executives
hair, and permitted me to sit on
the edge of her desk and get
chummy for the better part of
half-hour.
Branch Cone, who is usually
knee-deep in customers and hid
den behind a desk full of CORE
spondence, actually looked lone
some and he not only had time to
chat with me without Interrupt
ton but we topped that off by
steppin' out for a cold drink
which doesn't happen very often
durin' the busy season.
Bill Taylor, all dressed up in
new white suit and lookin' like
somebody's bridegroom or some
thin, quit countin' how many no.
tells he's got and estimatin' next
years tourist crop long enough
for me to practice on him with
my new candid camera.
Colin English was out maxim
speech to flock of All girls,
but his secretary and ! get along
lot better when he amt there
anyhow, and besides he's caused
enough disturbance around my
office to justify my messin' up
his.
Col. Jim Lee was off some
where tryin' to collect enough
taxes to pay back that borrowed
money the citrus folks are run
MIN fever over. But since they
have been borrowin' money and
payin' it back as long as | can
remember / don't see what there
is to get so excited about.
Road Chairman Arthur Hale
appeared to be the busiest of
anyone, with customers waitin'
to see him while he chewed PEN
ellis and tried to figure out how
the hang you can build new
roads and take care of those you
already have when there's moth
in to use for money. Arthur has
been doin' bangup job and his
department is looked upon by
everyone as the most efficient
and best managed in the state
set-up.
Missed the new attorney geners
al on my first visit bat managed
TO catch him in the next day and
while he was up to his ears in an
important conference he took
time out to shake hands and ex-
tend a kindly welcome. Judge
Gibbs is an able man and his APP
pointment met with popular
favor
With the election over. Senator
Peppers office has moved into
spacious quarters in the new fed
eral building with Secretary Jack
Guthrie in charge Correspond
ence since the election has been
exceptionally heavy and Jack is
taking care of as much as he can
10 relieve the senator's Wash
ington office.
Jock joints and night clubs,
SO popular durin' legislative ses-
sions. are rather drab and color
less affairs right now. struggling
to keep open with very little pat
ronaee. in spite of good food and
popular prices.
Being a dry county, you are
obliged Ia buy your liquor by the
bottle instead Of the glass unless
you know somebody. And its 50
eask to make friends in TallahaS-
see that there IS little neon
venience Automobiles, while not
as comfortable and coy as the
popular tap rooms and cocktail
parlors Of dry Polk. nevertheless
serve those who want what they
want when they want IL
But time marches on and while
The capital city may at the mo-
uent he enjoying her little Siessa.
lobbyists are busy making plans
and legislators Old and new are