The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1938-04-30

PEOPLES FORUM


churches, schools and many or
CARNATIONS asking for their active
cooperation.
1t has been suggested that we
replace broken panes of glass in
our windows, repair broken door
steps, or any other part of the
home that needs repairs.
We have been urged to remove
all trash and rubbish from our
premises during this week, and to
have a general cleanup.
We have a splendid crowd of
Methodists in Key West, and they
all remember that John Wesley
declared that cleanliness is next
to Goodness.
The circulars sent to us also
urge us to plant shrubbery and
flowers about our homes and
churches.
We are constantly invited by
the Rotary Club, Chamber of
Commerce, and other useful
bodies to make Key West attrac-
tive. Many have responded.
There are certain citizens of
our community whose work and
office take them from the beaten
tracks" and some of them are
deeply concerned about this very
matter In back lanes, behind
many homes, in side streets, are
conditions simply deplorable, and
dangerous to health.
People who are working con-
stantly, and who are not by any
means poverty stricken, are con-
tent TO have heaps of garbage,
dumps of empty tins, about the
home. The moment the lOng-eX-
pected showers arrive, these cans,
thousands of them, will be filled
with water, and in a little time,
the mosquitoes will come in their
millions.
1t will take a lot of advertising
to counteract the effect of this
experience which is SO avoidable.
In Trinidad, Port-of-Spain, il
was a treat to see the police in
their clean white suits. The town
was divided into districts. The
inspector came twice a month
Rich and poor Jared alike. Garb-
. age, open cisterns, meant an adj
monition. The second offense
fine. The yards of the poorest
were kept clean. Very few of our
people today who cannot afford
the SO cents a month to take
away the garbage, but unless the
authorities are enabled, or pre-
} pared to enforce regulation the
case is hopeless.
There are houses where the
fences are falling to the ground
a menace to pedestrians and able
bodied men quite unconcerned.
Of course there are other fac
, tors that contributed to what
, mean by Better Homes. Goo
loves beautiful homes. He ha'
, made a world that is crowded
with beauty. Every common bush
is afire with God. In the open
ing chapters of a Book, TIKI
BOOK that we al love, we SEE
man in a beautiful garden tina
God has planted. In the CLOSING
, chapters we see him in beauti
full city.
One observes the great amount
! now available for useful project
, and the applications made. won
, der if our active and most help
, full School Board, with our cap
able County Superintendent, viii
think the time has come wher
thes Douglass School Building
should be replaced by a modern
structure worthy of our com
munity and suitable for the worI
they seek to accomplish? May
suggest that more of our white
citizens who are public-mindeC
will pay a visit to that institution
on Emma street and judge foi
themselves as to the need of such
a public institution.
II would give work TO many
Of our Key Westers II would b.
a credit to our city and a grea
satisfaction / am sure, to our edu
. cational leaders in Key West
hope IL Will be done.
A DeBARRTTT.
Key West, Fla,
p. April IS. 1888