The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-07-01

/ pfetLler Jnan IL was IN $780,
Julius F. Stone, Jr., former state
administrator for the FERA and
/ WPA, today submitted to The
Citizen a comprehensive pro-
gram for making the city an out
standing tourist and vacation
center.
In preparing his statement,
/ Stone said that many residents
had not only asked him for his
views as to the progress made by
Key West since he left here in
1886 but also his suggestions for
improvements he believed essen
/ tial in establishing a sound eco-
| nomic future for the city. Stone
! is spending his vacation in Key
!; West, the first time he has been
here since his departure after
tsetting in motion the rehabilita-
,tion program he developed while
tdirecting federal work relief ac-
tivities in the state.
Stones statement to The Citi-
zen follows
Naturally, during very pleas
ant and busy week in Key West
icertain observations and compari-
sons suggested themselves to me,
la few of which / take the liberty
of communicating herewith:
81. The development SO far is
very encouraging because it all
represents solid Improvements.
(which has destroyed none of the
city's charm. rather than fly-by-
night promotion. The city is
cleaner. quieter and prettier than
lit was in 1895.
20. 1t is very heartening to see
that the new buildings have pre-
served the characteristic Key
!, West architecture rather than
copy the florid Spanish villa
/ type of buildings which really
have no place here.
80. It seems to me that the
TYPE of new residents are distinct
assets 60 Key West and that the.
activities Of such civic associa-
stions as have been formed are
sure to benefit the city in the
long run; although the measures
which they advocate may seem
strange when first proposed.
"A. The passage of the zoning
law is great step in the right
direction, which the moderniza-
ition of the City Charter will. COM
| plement.
IS. The need for water goes
without saying, and you have al
iready pointed out in your coli
iumns the reasons why ] feel wa
| ter is sure to come.
IS. The increase in Key Vests
beautiful native flowers and
trees is very noticeable and a
visit to the botanical gardens
Iclearly indicates that Key West
ers are determined to have more
/ flowers to greet the winter visi-
jtors than any other city in Flor
ida.
~. The efforts which are be-
| ing made to provide worthwhile
recreation and entertainment fa-
cilities cannot be conSumated too
soon.
i IS. The city is still soothing to
/ the nerves of northern people
because Key Westers have re-
Trained from creating irritants,
such as intermittent electric signs
and unnecessary blowing of horns.
80. The Art Gallery is the
cheapest way to get high-class
advertising for Key West. It
should be supported by the citi-
Izens on purely practical basis.
i Everyone who entertains guests,
paying or otherwise. should visit
| the gallery before next winter SO
they can talk intelligently to
visitors about it.
40. The absence of advertls-
! ing signs on the Overseas High
way from the point where It en-
tiers Monroe county until it
Ireaches Key West is very pleas
ling. Acton by the County Com
imissioners to preserve the beauty
lof this Highway will be q good
investment in future years and
!: viii cost nothing at the present
time.
! 81. Key West cannot grow ur-
less outsiders buy property and
settle on it. This they will not
do if the prices are too high!
Many Key Westers own much
more real estate than they can
profitably use themselves, either
for occupancy or for rental pur-
poses, II would seem to be de-
lsirable If each season Key West
;ers would give their real estate
dealers firm prices at which they
will sell property during that par
lticularly tourist season. In this
WAY, If the price set is fair, the
property owner viii realize q
mice profit and the prospective
purchaser viii not find the price
raised on him the minute he be-
gins to Be interested in particu-