The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-05-09
THE KEY CITIZENS ASSOCIATION

ISOLATION at the Division Street School on
Thursday, May a, was a public expression
of a belief that has been voiced by almost
every individual in the community, name
lY, that there should be some way in which
the energies of the people who are con-
cerned for better conditions in Key West
could be co-ordinated and made effec-
tive.
The set-up of the organization is we'll
adapted to it's announced purpose, nom
sectarian, non-political, to the degree that
any member aspiring to political office
automatically ceases to be a member; it
makes what should be adequate provision
against one man rule by placing it's gov
eminent in the hands of two men and two
women from each precinct to whom all
questions of policy must be referred and
from whom all decisions of policy are
binding.
That such an organization should be
unnecessary is perfectly true. What this
organization hopes to accomplish should
be, and is, the business of the City Council
and the County Commission to effect.
the citizens of Key West, by forming
this Key Citizens Association admit the
hopelessness of securing effective action
from the duly elected and paid officers
who have failed to grasp the opportunity
of service to their community.
The reasons for such failure may be
i Ill
ton upon the integrity of the duly elected
authorities who in some cases are ham,
pered by precedent and to a degree that
reflects no credit on the citizens of Key
West, by the apathy and lack of support
accorded them by their constituents who,
having elected them, promptly assume the
attitude that thereafter, the privilege of
finding fault is about all that they can be
expected to exercise.
Whether the Key Citizens Associa-
ton can accomplish any thing worth while,
depends entirely upon the capacity of Key
West people to break down petty bars of
prejudice and work together for the COM
mon good. Certainly, no one who holds
aloof from the proffered opportunity for
cooperation will be in any position to
criticize it's operations if it proceeds with
out him and goes haywire because his
valuable advice and counsel was not
among it's valuable assets.
Here is an excellent chance for those
people who, for some reason best known to
themselves, regard themselves as the "bet-
ter element" to step out, show their
capacity for leadership and their claim to
their exalted title.
Assuredly, as the organization is con-
stituted, it is wide open to any citizen who
has ability and energy enough to qualify
for place in self-governing unit of COM
munty life.
Indifference, suspicion and a highly
critical attitude can force the Association
into the control of one class; which is ex-
actly the worst thing that can happen to
the Association and to Key West. A frank
and friendly acceptance of this new de-
velopment in the civic life of Key West,
with all classes taking part in its control
can improve the economic condition of
every interest.
One group that should, for their own
interest if for no other reason, take an &C
tive part, is that of our merchants. They,
least of all, can afford to see the amount
of money circulated in the city, be any fur
Their reduced. One merchant, at least, Mr..
Pearlman, is doing his part. The move
ment needs many more