The Key West citizen., 1954-12-02

This statement was made
by DR.. H. C. Campbell, prin-
cipal of the high school, to
members of the Junior
Chamber of Commerce last
night during their regular
meeting.
Campbell said that he could not
vouch for what went on in pre-
vious years when the trip was
made, but he said that last year
he saw what happened.
Dsplorss Actions
He told of how, while on the par
ade route, men jumped out and
pinched the girls, and made inde-
cent gestures. He added that there
was no planned recreation for the
band members except to stay in
school building while waiting for
the parade to take place.
He states that girls were placed
in a school building on one side of
Havana where it was all the chap
erons could do to get the girls from
the building to bus through
crowds of s'hand reaching Gu
ban males.
Campbell said that DIR. Casteron
was going to Havana to insure that
proper arrangements would be
made before he CCampbell) would
consent to the trip.
Police Protection
He said that he was insisting on
adequate police protection in add
tion to sightseeing tours and re-
creational events to fill the spare
time Of the band members during
their stay.
The principal said that the Mia
mi schools were not too happy over
last years arrangements. He told
of how they had only three buses
to take all the bands to their quar-.
ters. The first band to reach the
end of the parade. route was the
first to be taken to the berthing
spaces.
Campbell said that fortunately,
last year the Key West Band was
the first to end the route while
some other bands had to wait hours
for transportation.
Shorts Questioned
Campbell explained that Cubans
do not have high opinion of wom-
en- and girls in shorts such as worn
by our cheer leaders and major
cites.
81 am critical of what might hap
pen," Campbell said. 81 want to
avoid an incident before it hap
pens"
On the subject Of the band going
to Gasparilla, Campbell said that
he did not mind stating that it was
a waste of money as he saw it,
unless someone could show him diff
ferently.
Campbell said that it cost about
$3.50 to make the trip adequate
ly and that the band is given about
SIS to 500 by the Tampa people.
His Preference
He said that he would much ra-
ther see the band 60 to the state
band meet where bands from the
state compete for standings and
are judged on their various abili-
ties. He specified concert playing,
marching, appearance, etc.
Other highlights of the principals
highly informative talk were:
1. He is not against solicitations
by the band for their own support.
2. Permanent bleachers will be
built in the stadium next year.
8. Nothing is secret about high
school finances.
4. The high school is suffering
from growing pains.
5. The high school stadium is Sec
0nd to none.
s. Forty-six per cent of the stu
dents are Of parents in the Navy
or Navy Civilian workers.
Z. Before he came to Key West,
cheer leaders were ouying their
own costumes, baseball players
were buying their own shoes, etc.
He said that he believed they should
not have to do this.
8. It isn't how much money is TAX
en- in, it is how well it is spent.
9. He said that if anyone has
plans for Improvements of the
system, he will be glad to talk il