The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-03-13

which the Navy required to -
constructed on that portion of Boca
Chica Field which might be made
available to civilian aviation. The
estimate ran above $4,000. A
terminal at a minimum would run
another SIS, 900 at least and at
least one security guard around
the clock with a minimum salary
of $500 would run another SlO,-
600.
Computed on the basis of Ma
tional's travel last year the coun-
ty would ask National to pay, un-
der the new system of charges,
an amount in the neighborhood of
$1,000. For this amount the county
proposed to borrow sum in the
amount of $500, 900 and extend the
runways, light the field, build a
new terminal, provide quarters
for CAA, fire equipment and all
of the necessary items needed for
an airport of this size. The amount
which we anticipated from Ma
tional would be less than that bid
on the airport parking lot.
Free Enterprise
Now, George, l am sure that
you believe in the free enterprise
system for our country because
that was one of the tenets of your
political campaign. We in Monroe
County are not demanding that
National Airlines provide service
into Key West and Monroe County
at disadvantage or loss to their
company. We have informed them
of our charges. 1t is up to them
to advise us what they will do. If
we cannot get together, we ask
that they withdraw from the field
and let another airline provide the
service and develop traffic from
Key West. Another of the major
airlines would gladly come into
Key West and provide stop at
Marathon if Natinal would give up
the run. Peninsular Airlines is now
attempting to obtain a permit to
run between Key West and Miami
on the intra-state basis. The sys-
tenn of charges throughout the
country used by airports is as
varied as any other field. There
is no standard system of charges
used throughout the country. Thus,
who can say that our charges are
out of line anymore than person
moving from Key West to New
York City might appeal to the
courts that the rent of $16O per
month was out of line because ne
paid in Key West only SIS for the
same type house. Thus, If National
is in good faith and their only
is the paying of the 50
cent passenger tax, why is it that
they are not willing to 60 along
with Monroe County spending the
same amount of money on Meac-
ham Field as they are willing to
spend to begin service at Boca
Chica Field.
Lost Air Traffic
Despite the fact that we are
years behind, it is still possible for
Key West to recover some of the
air traffic that it has lost over the
years due to negative thinking such
as it expressed by Nationals pol
icy.
Yet, from Nationals viewpoint
| can see when it would be against
their interest to see air travel
through Key West develop. How
ever, we public officials in Key
West and Monroe County are
charged with the responsibility of
developing our county and city
and we are determined to do so.
Unable to negotiate with Nation
al, the County Board contacted Of
ficials of Peninsular Air Transport
and interested them in operating
intra-state between Key West and
Miami. We believe that we will be
able to secure a certificate from
the governor to permit them to
run this schedule but naturally this
airline is concerned with the at
titude of CAB should this service
be inaugurated.
Even though this airline operates
entirely on this schedule within
state law, they know that should
CAB frown upon this operation
they could be Inconvenience and
caused considerable trouble on
their runs interstate.
PeninsvIar Question
Also, your Mr.. Peek mentioned
that should a passenger travel
from Key West to Miami by PENN
sular and then purchase a ticket
to a point outside the State of
Florida, the CAB could consider
the Peninsular Air Transport to be
an interstate carrier. If this be
the case, it would be impossible
for any airline to operate intra-
state. If CAB chose to take this
attitude it could only mean that
this government agency, like many
others, created for the benefit and
protection of the public, use their
power not in the interest of the
public but for the protection of
big business which reaches out
and exerts so much influence that