The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1943-06-04
UNBENBING DISCIPLINE

culation is larger than that of any other
daily in the country wired The Citizen
few days ago to learn how the curfew is
working in Key West.
This city has two curfews, one that
goes into effect at o'clock, the time all
children under 16 must be at home, and
the other at midnight, when all saloons.
must be closed.
S.. Not only in Key West but also in ev-
cry other city in the country, owners of
saloons are given to bobbing up in viola
ton of a laworsa regulation but the mid
night closing order. much to the surprise
of many people, has been adhered to
strictly by all local saloon keepers. What
is the reason for the strict observance Of
the midnight curfew?
Now, were the city alone behind the
order, il. would be violated night after night,
as some saloon keepers would feel that,
with political jockeying or manouvering,
they would be able tc circumvent any at
tempt at prosecution. The percentage of bar
men that would entertain that attitude
probably is small, but, regardless of their
number, they fall in line as promptly as do
all the other dispensers of liquor.
You have heard it said many time
that course in discipline in the Army and
the Navy would be good for, any man, But
even though we have not had that disciple
nary training, all Of us arefaware that when
the Army or the Navy issues. AN order, it
must be complied with, else dire conse-
auences are sure to follow Political pull is
CT no avail, excuses are brushed aside
Just before the midnight curfew was
established in Key West, the city council
voted to permit saloons to remain open till
o'clock in the morning. Back came reply
from Rear Admiral James E. Kaufman,
couched in plain and pointed words, that if
the saloons in Key West were permitted to
stay open after midnight, the Navy would
declare them "out of bounds"
What was the result? Saloon keepers
joined with other Key Westers in requesting
the council to fix the closing hour at mid
night. The saloon keepers might have been
prompted by selfish motives, but, whatever
the motive, behind it was the certainty that
the Admiral meant just what he said. There
would not be any sidestepping, no evasion:
if the saloons kept open after midnight, no
navy man would be permitted to patronize
them.
If our laws were as strictly adhered to
as are military orders, what difference
there would be in our social life! But we
flout good many laws with which we are
not in sympthy, and while we flout them
we feel confident that, if we get into tron-
ble the inside workings of politics will get
us out of the trouble.
The New York paper was informed
that our curfews, particularly the midnight
closing of saloons, are working admirably. 1t
is something that really can be characteriz-
ed as wonderful that, with a couple of ex-
ceptions, Uncle Sans men here in the arm
ed forces have caused little trouble among
civilians. The fact is, the vast majority Of
them have been leading exemplary lives,
despite the fact that they have been torn
away from their home life and thefmode of
living to which they had been accustomed !
They too know they must behave,l or
suffer the consequences of misb ehaVior, and
behind it all is the mighty power of unbend7.
ing discipline.
a