The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1952-03-07
Aeacher Collapses Al Ice
Show box Injuries Hundreds;
But Panic Is Averted
CUBAN FOLK SINGERS

CUBAN FOLK SINGERS
tcontinOed From Pace oEel
were invited to come to Key
West by officials of the San
Carlos Institute to appear in, the
La Semana Allegro program. was
near the boiling point with one
official announcing his intention
of taking the matter to the at
of Senator George
Smathers in Washington in pro-
test.
The performers were to ap-
pear without pay in last nights
program. Restaurateur Benny
F2fnandez volunteered 10 pro-
vide meals for the group free
Of charge and the operators of
the Key Lodge provided lods-
ing. Officials of the Institute
said that this would represent
the only compensation for their
appearances.
The San Carlos solons were
at loss to explain yesterdays
mixup as they stated that
many times in the past they
have brought musicians from
Cuba with no Immigration
difficulties.
The action was considered
by many to be definite
slight 10 our nei3hbors who
only two weeks ago were hosts
10 the 81 piece Key West High
School band for the opening of
the Cuban Carnival season.
The high schoolers were round
lY fefed while in the Cuban
capitol. The entire cost of their
trip was born by the Cuban
government.
Cuban Consul Oscar Morales,
declined to comment officially
on the developments following a
telephone conversation with the
immigration authorities.
Mark Stanley, Secretary Of
Local 202, American Federation
of Musicians, denied that his 10
cal organization had any part in
the ban but stated that the To-
cal union has mo authority to
allow foreign performers to play
in Key West" He added that he
has worked for three years in
an effort to get the regulations
entry of foreign per-
formers TO this country relaxed
Deputy Officer Rogers Brown
Of the immigration Department
said this. morning that following
the statement made yesterday by
the aliens, any violation of this
ruling would make them liable
10 perjury charges. He added
that they were admitted only ON
the condition that they would
not perform.
Agapito Gonzalez, spokesman
for the group said, If this is
the law, we can not do anything
about il although we are hurt
and disappointed because we
would like TO give pleasure to
the people Of Key West The
group, none of whom speak Eng
lish, said that they signed the
because they were
afraid they would be penalized
II they didn't.
) When close 10 a thousand
people gathered last night at
The Monroe County Beach fol-
lowing j colorfui Comparsas
pakade up Duvai Street. the
cubans were introduced TO the
gathering BY Colin Jameson.
Publicity Director Of the La
Semana Allegro Committee
and top slick magazine writer
who said; Unfortunately due
to missuide d immigration
laws. our Cuban guests are ur-
able 70 do anything bat greet
You." The visitors. VINO took
yesterdays slight gracefully
and apparently without rancor,
addressed the gathering briefly
in Spanish.
Burt Garnette, top official in
both the Semana Allegro Com
mittee and the Key West Art
and Historical Society said. This
IS an absurd situation. | think
that both the City and County
Commissioners should forward a
letter Of apology to these people
and the cories be sent to the
State Department in Washing
ton"
Officials Of the Semana Allegro
Committee said that they had no4.