The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1941-08-07
OPEN THE CHANNEL TO KEY WEST

upon the powers that be, the vital inn
portance to the city of Key West of extend
ing the Inland Waterway from its present
terminus at Bahia Honda to Key West
Recently, the first real progress has
been made in securing survey of the pro-.
posed route
Most of as have nursed a grievance
against the communities already served by
the existing protected channel; feeling that
it would not only be good craftsmanship,
but also good common sense, for them to
show a little interest in this proposed ex-
tension and as general thing we have had
to take it out in feeling grieved.
But, during all the years, we have had
staunch friends in Col. George E. Brown,
u. S. Engineer, Miami Beach and Commo-
dore A. II, Brook Of Fort Lauderdale and
the latter has just sent out widely cir
culated letter, which is call to action on
the part of Key West and Monroe County
residents
He emphasizes the fact that now,
NOW, is the time for every one of US to
write to Representative Pat Cannon and to
Senators Pepper and Andrews, thus placing
in their hands the evidence that we are,
aware of the necessity of safe water trans
portation to Key Westr'and that the action
we ask of them is backed up by a popular
demand @
We quote few indisputable sem
fences from Commodore Brooks letter:
eve must prepare for whatever might
come to the East Coast of Florida if we
should get involved in war. The govern
ment is spending millions of dollars both
for Army and Navy at Key West.
THE government has already cut off
great number of the sea-gOing vessels
which carried freight and commodities to
the coastwise towns, such as Palm Beach,
Miami, Key West and others. There is
every evidence that trucks will be made
quate. On the coast, there is one railroad
to Miami and no way to get to Key West ex-
cept by the Overseas Highway, 1t is doubt
full il any large armament unit could travel
on the present roads from Jacksonville to
Miami. Certainly not to Key West. Should
anything happen to one of the viaducts, for
example at Long Key or at Bahia Honda,
Key West would be entirely cut off.
Without this waterway it would be an
easy matter to starve all of these communi-
ties along the East Coast of Florida. If this
waterway were deepened from south of
Miami to Key West, no matter what hap
pened to the Overseas Highway, Key West
could carry on just the same
ct is necessary that some action be
taken now. am urging everyone who can
see this picture as | see it and its posi-
bilities of what might happen to WRITE
A LETTER to Congressman Pat Cannon
and Senators Pepper and Andrews.
1T is only by concerted action on the
part Of every citizen who believes in pro-
tecting our coast that anything will be done.
The government has so many things to do
that we may be lost in the shuttle.
Every man, woman and child will be
subject to these happenings unless we get
this work underway at once so, again |
urge everyone who has the welfare of the
entire State of Florida in his mind,
WRITE TODAY. Don't put it off,
1t is matter for regret that space for
bids quoting Commodore Brooks entire
letter If you were asked to do some great
thing for Key West, you would do it. This
is great thing ready to your hand. All
that is required is few moments and
postage stamp. The Chamber of Com
meree has circularized more than 200 of its
members and ex-members. The Lions Club
has asked its members to write, as has the
Rotary Club.
This is our great chance to do some
thing for Key West that will pay dividends
through all the coming years and, it may
we'll be, save you and yours from suffering
and destruction.
Will YOU write?