The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1953-12-31
NATIONAL CUTS XIV.

tConkinEcc from Pace Oneg
wffh Sie sigpeTf," Ne began. Al
~ have Is land end unless We
% something with II. 10 i far
better 10 absuden II. We've al.
ready spens sIso.oo - improve
mo field for yeU people - Do
mere Enensy fer fbe field from
the taxpayers.
Every nickel We take ia i
pIoughed back into the field anc
the 50 cents can be added TO the
ticket.
The airIines must find . way
70 pay the 50 cents, he went On,
II believe your business viii in
crease II We have a first-elas:
field"
II was al this point that Allen
said the general public would be
afraid to ride planes into the field
| il they knew the condition Of the
field.
We've gene ell the way with
yeU people," Allen continued.
his temper rising. "a want 10
see . building there that does
justice fe Key West. We bought
the field for you people TO do
business on and now n Is time
TOR you people 10 come in ard
help.
IF you can tell US how to raist
money without raising taxes, wei
be glad TO do it,"
Queyedo spoke briefly again
saying that the advantages Of pas
sengers coming through Key West
are getting less every year. H.
added that his air line was not il
financial condition to help the
county.
Riggs, who apparently had
been sitting quietly but doing .
slow burn. teok iise floor next
and ripped into Aeroviss O.,
shouting that the line had "ons
big gravy train out there"
"Since l947 we haven't increased
the rentals for the airlines," hi
said. Now the runways are fillet
with ruts and holes.
"The colonel manuel Quevedo,
says the buildings cost $50, 900
There's nothing out there worth
$50, O00."
Quevedo interrupted to say: g
have the figures"
and" Riggs went on, 81 know
you didn't spend any $4,000 on re
pairs.
"AeFov:as q has had one big
gravy train out there" Riggs
shouted. ''YoU have been making
big money out there. I'm tired
and Disguised with Substituting
Aerovias q and National Air
Lines.
II am not going to tax the PEG
lple for the field. We've got facts anC
figures, too. You have been max
ing money out there. You bough
seven new airplanes. Aerovias {
promised to buy the field. Blu
every time we talk money, you sa,
you are not ready"
After you see our balance
sheets, you won't believe we ar,
making money!" Quevedo said.
The commissioners then voteC
unanimously not 10 reduce tn,
rates for Aerovias @.
Foreman, speaking for Nation
al Air Lines. attacked the COM
missioners with . losd Of figures.
He said the increased ratel
would mean an increase of 165 pei
cent in the money paid by Nation
al to the county.
I'VE lose sos, 900 a year." he add
ed.
Foreman also said that an air
line can not raise fare withou
an okay from the Civil Aeronu
tics Board.
He was speaking Of adding tn,
50-cent per passenger charge h
the ticket price.
"Tov are the only city in the
United States thar puts q head
tax on passengers, he said.
And, IL the tax goes on we
will cut our schedules here TO
zone flight q day."
Harold A. Wilde, of Miami, coun
lty airport adviser, who also hat
q batch of figures at hand, toll,
Foreman that I'VE can't go to tn
taxpayers for more money. w,
have got to get it from the peopl
who operate at the field"
| Saunders surrendered the ehai
A.