The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-06-06
mo RIDERsl"

Using Association, in convention assembled
at Pass-a-Grille Beach, sends out bulletin
looking toward the betterment of the serv-
ice rendered by the daily newspapers of
the state by placing them on sounder
business basis and educating the public to
ar appreciation of the fact that any serv-
ice worth soliciting is worth paying for.
From the bulletin we quote:
'Inasmuch as the operation of our
newspapers depends upon advertising rev.
enue, and
"1nasmuch as the desire of the per-
sons or organizations to secure free pub
licity indicates their acceptance of the
value of newspaper space and
"Inasmuch as no other medium of adj
vertising gives away, free of charge, the
only product it has to sell,
I'VE therefore strongly recommend
and urge that the publishers of the news
papers of Florida carefully scrutinize and
restrict the amount of free publicity given,
recognizing that there should be some
reasonable relationship between the
dIlOuIlt Oh advertising UOuSHC Cilu IHC
amount of publicity donated.
Florida Daily Newspaper Advertis-
ing Association
The action taken by the association is
one that may well be brought to the atten-
ton of Key West business men, not only in
regard to their dealings with the news
paper advertising business; but in regard
to their dealings with their community and
with one another.
Key West, crippled and famed by adj
verse conditions beyond its control, CRATE
fully at first, later by force of habit allow
ing expectancy to supercede gratitude, ac-
copied the crutches given by Good
Samaritan government until in every walk
of life we find the hitch-hikers regarding
with disdain the idea of using their own
resources while there is any chance of get
ting lift from any source whatever.
That there are many among us who
simply must be helped, is unhappily true
That it is just as true that we have many,
perfectly able to proceed under their own
power and who regard it as smart practice
to let someone else carry them, is just as
unhappily true. 1t is tendency not con-
fined to any class. Well-to-do taxpayers
are brilliant example; shining with the
phosphorescent glow of moral decay. 1t is
common practice to pay for newspaper
publicity only as last resort. The Cham
Der of Commerce is hampered in its work
by the majority who are gladly willing to
commend it and to profit by its expendi-
lures to bring business to the city; but who
are also gladly willing to let others, no
more able than themselves, meet the ex-
pense of its operation.
Business men who operate cars have
found it necessary in self-defense to carry
on their Windshields the notice No Riders"
and that, not because they were averse to
helping their neighbors, but because they
incurred a serious financial liability by SO
doing.
It is evident from the action taken by
the Florida Daily Newspaper Association
that the same course of action is being
forced upon publishers.
It is certainly true that the city that
tolerates panhandling and the evasion of
obligation on the part of the recipients of
unneeded charity, is committing not only
moral, but financial suicide. It is certain
that blessed are the poor in spirit was
not written for the class that habitually
joins us at the restaurant and never by
any chance picks up the check. Sooner or
later these moochers find themselves
properly classified.
And the sooner that a healthy public
spirit gives out-spoken expression to its
contempt for the poor-spirited hitch
mixers who clog the wheels of progress in
Key West, the better off we will be.