The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-09-07
COLLECT THOSE TAXES!

ticle that the headline is just about as trite
statement as ever could be thought up
by struggling editor faced with the prob
len CT correctly picturing situation that
promises to be unique in this city of
ours
Collect those taxes, indeed Haven't
we said it before, these many, many years
and hasn't it been tragically the fact
that time goes on with practically, if any,
no effort ever made to collect delinquent
city taxes? The answers are easy-just
a simple, yes and no!
But now-what have we here. The
council voted Thursday night to call spe-
cial meeting next Friday evening for the
sole and express purpose of discussing
ways and means to collect taxes owed for
the year 1939-sOme $4,000 worth now
outstanding
Now that is really somethingl It's
revolutionary, in a way, as nO-one inter-
viewed could recall when any council has
ever called meeting of exactly that
nature. 1t may be Indicative of a New
Deal for Key West, and The Citizen PUSHES
into the situation right here to say-"We
fervently hope so''
Subject of publication of the delin-
quent tax list was given considerable air
ing at the meeting this week 1t appeared
that some of TIE councimen were quite OPP
posed to that procedure, albeit perfectly
willing to discuss other means to collect
the delinquencies so badly needed to meet
payrolls and other city expenses
To keep the record straight on this
matter of publication. The Citizen reminds
its readers that some years ago it agreed
to a discOntinuance of that procedure
when it became increasingly evident that
the city could not pay its bills then, and
still, owed the publisher, sum we'll over
100000 For these many years since that
time, no lists have been published, with a
corresponding lack of information due the
public on just who are the delinquent tax
payers of Key West
Whether or not the list is published is
not much concern Of The Citizen. What
does interest us, however, is whether or
not the council is sincere in its announced
tax dodgers. Proof of the pudding will be
furnished at next weeks special get-tO-
gether 1t would be we'll that taxpayers
make it a point to attend the meeting to
witness what treatment is accorded this
vital subject.
So much has been said or the subject
of tax delinquency matters in this city and
county that further comment here is quite
beyond any necessity. 1t would be worthy
to mention The Citizens slant on these two
subjects preached at the meeting this
week:
We believe that the council is sincere
when it states that no future action to col
lect taxes would be aimed at those in no
position to pay. The poor widows" of
this city are in no danger. The tax dOd-
gers that can pay, however, is another
story.
We would point out, as the second
subject, our belief that Key West is not be-
ing considered as any worse example than
anv other city in like circumstances. One
councilman evidently thought that the city
was being ridiculed on the subject of tax
delinquencie2. We don't think so.
This column, week from today, will
review the meeting to be held the night
preceding that days issue. 1t is to be
hoped that the article will be in the nature
of an announcement of better times
ahead