The Key West Citizen Newspaper, August 28, 1939, Page 1

AD, Azsociated Press Day Wire : For 59 Years Devoted to the | TZ Best Interests of Key West ‘ Key West, Florida, has the most equable climate in the country; with an average range of only 14° Fahrenheit fest Citizen | THE SOUTHERNMOST NEWSPAPER IN THE U.S.A. VOLUME LX. No. 204. ‘Britain Stands Firm:Against Hitler Taking Any Territory arcs REG Not Favorable To. Incréasé In Bridge: Toll Meet Any Eventuality That May Arise Reconstruction Finance Cor- lieve that, with the exception of poration indicated interest in the ,the provision for. publicity, the her army of over 500,000 men./matter of toll raise as voted at budget generally is satisfactory. No indication in the report was | the August 12th meeting of the The $12,000 appropriated for pub- given to show that any other Overseas Road and Toll Bridge 'licity. appears to be comparative- position except neutrality will! District in a letter sent to John ly high, particularly in the ab- hold in the move considered. (By Asaociated Press) BUDAPEST, Aug. 28—Hun- gary today took steps to mobilize of which copies were sent to the definite plans for an advertising other four commissioners. j program. If effectivley applied, nadian provincial. government) Vice-Chairmna John Costar ;the funds spent for such a pur- took steps today to guard the/ released his copy of the letter to pose should bear results, but we province's harbors and ports from | The Citizen this. morning, with \feel unable to conclude that. the atiack from any foreign nation. | permission to present the letter to |expenditure of so large a sum, is In the meantime, it is reported| its readers. jnecessary. that hundreds of former veterans; Attention of the RFC was also} “The proposed increase in tolls, are signing up, this though no mo- | directed to the matter of pub-/in our opinion, is of such far- bilization order has been issued. |licity as contained in the tem-j reaching importance that we feel ae | porary budget transmitted to that ‘obliged to comment on it. We office by the board. The item of : have from time to time urged the | $12,000 was listed as exorbitant, Commissioners to explore all jin the opinion of the writer, W.'reasonable possibilities of in- ing along the border line between | ta, Dimes neve: chiet' Belt: ! creasing net revenues in order to | Luiquidating Division. the two countries. Trouble was % 5 i ici i brewing. it was stated, when vio- | a a atta eed follows: paver Neher msbiaccmanise aia jJation of closed border edicts | s ‘ were reported from both sides. OTTAWA, Aug. 28—The Ca- WARSAW, Aug. 28.—Poland reported that several clashes be- tween Polish and German soldiers occurred last night and this morn- “On August 14, 1939, Mr. B. M.‘casions called to the Commis- |Duncan, General Manager of the | sioners’ attention the necessity of | District, forwarded to us a copy , reducing operating: expenses. The R. Slade, chairman of the board, 'sence of information setting forth | ‘connection we have on several oc- ; KEY WEST, FLORIDA, MONDAY, AUGUST 28, 1939 * Different: Picture Hote | : ‘Of Bede Disie H0UG And Tourist Affairs P ted The following article is submitted, as prepared, by a group of interested citizens of | Key West, who made an in- vestigation of the charges in articles written by Paul Marks, attorney for the Over- seas Road and Toll Bridge District board,’ recently ap- pearing in The Citizen: ; seconded that motion, and the ‘minutes were signed by the other ‘jmembers, commissioners Wilson, Costar and Symonette. While no , record appears in the minutes as {to the completion of that audit, investigation shows that all com- missioners received a copy: of it. j Quoting from the original reso- | ‘lution that enabled construction | In response to much inquiry.on of the bridges:and stated manner ‘the subject of. the affairs of the of operation, which’ was passed Overseas Road and Toll Bridge’ bY, the Board, September 3, i > ‘ 1936, on je 17: District, especially in regard to emit eats District) will at ;the two articies printed in The ij) timés keep: proper books of | Citizen on dates, of. August 18 and yecords and)aceounts. in which |21, as prepared and ‘signed by the fuji, true, and-correct entries will ;attorney ior the District, Paul je made of all its dealings and | Marks, The Citizen admits to its' transactions relating to its prop- \ B @ e e 1 { 1 | ( columns’ an independent investi-'¢rty and business in accordance gation of many of the accusations. with standard principles of ac- | brought out in the articles. counting, and that it will prepare | At the outset, it is worthy of and furnish to, the original pur- jfote that all should know that chaser and to any holder or hold- | *. ‘the records of the District are ers of any bonds, upon written open to inspection. Any persom' request of such holder or holders, or group that desires any official's, more than thirty (30) days aft- j Knowledge concerning operation er the close of each semi-annual} Mayor Willard M. Albury, who | jot the bridges will find ready co- fiscal period, an income and prof- RUDDERLESS LAUNCH operation from the staff of the jf and loss statement of the Proj- | one of the members of the GETS BACK SAFELY General Manager's office, even to ect and the District, in reasonable /Qverseas Road and Toll Bridge; delving into financial and letter Getail, covering such semi-annual } ee A A party of Key Westers, files of the District. The findings’ period, and not more ‘than sixty |Commission, has written John H.| 04 in Cleveland Niles launch yesterday at Sand Key. ex- of the investigation are presented | (60) days after the close of each | Costar, vice chairman of the com- | Perienced a touch of the herewith with this feature stress-' fiscal year a balance sheet and ed: Only official confirmation or jneome and profit and loss state- ,Mission, explaining his attitude, Mayor Albury Urges. PARIS, Aug. 28,—Newspapers of France today carried stories that indicated no hope for settle- ment. of the crisis, No traffic was allowed across the German-; French border except nationals | returning ito Germany and: SR i aig inne | LONDON, Aug. 28—British war department has ordered im- mediate . emergency © measures | aimed at guarding their interests | on the high seas. This step was | taken following rumors that Ger-| many had sent a number of sub-| marines io the Mediterranean| Sea. HAGUE, Aug. 28—The Neth- erlands has ordered immediate mobilization of its army to pro- fect, at all costs, its affirmation of neutrality. Troops will be sent to all borders. MADRID, Aug, 28.—Spain will remain neutral in the event of war in Europe, it was stated to- day. General Franco is engaged in building up his war machine, and the Catholics of Spain are chagrined at the German-Russian alliance, being the two reasons advanced for the neutral stand. LONDON, Aug. 28.—Britain’s answer to Adolf Hitler’s query as to what England would do along lines of forcing the Poles to “come to time” on the question of giving up territory to the Nazis, is on its way to Berlin, and is scheduled for official presentation to the German feuhrer from the hands of Ambassador Neyille Henderson early this evening. Advices released unofficially from Prime Minister Neville’ Chamberlain's office state that the British will, in no_ sense, revert to “another Munich” epi- sode, and that the answer to Hit- ler, is in effect, a great big “No” on the question of consent to a division of Poland. It is even intimated that no consent has been given to agree- ment that Danzig or any part of the Polish corridor should be giv- en up, although opinion has been expressed that the British Cab- inet was still in hopes the crisis may work out in favor of peace if a satisfactory-transfer of that territory could be effected, with definite guarantee of no more territorial claims from ‘Hitler. Door Left Open For Hitler The door has been left open for Hitler still to avert war. That he will be angry with the British answer, goes without saying, al- though press time today was too early to ascertain what his reac- | tion will be. : Parliament of England has been called to another special session for tomorrow and it is said that a consideration of the formation of War Cabinet will be consider- ed at that time. Meanwhile, to all appearances, (Continued on Page Four) ‘of the District’s tentative budget | proposed budget is obviously .a | for the next fiscal year and stated | step in that direction. It is ques- {that the Commissioners desired . tionable, however, that a 75% -in- our recommendations regarding|crease in the toll charge repre- it. We have also received a copy ' sents the logical approach to a of the minutes of the meeting of | further increase in revenues, So the Commissioners held’ on Aug-/large an ‘inerease “in the rate ust.k2entayhich action was taken! might have the éffett of reducing regarding. the ~ proposed ‘budget, the Volume of . traffic, . which the inerease in the toll rate, and | otherwise would use the District's the leasing of Pigeon Key. facilities, to a point where the “We have examined the tenta- total income would be decreased. tive budget and find that the to- ;It is possible that a more mod- tal of anticipated costs, exclusive erate increase in the toll together of debt service, is considerably with further operating economies less than the amount which will may be just as effective. If the have been expended for the cur-| Commissioners care to submit a rent fiscal year. Although we | statement/of their/reasons; for be- pare not: prepared to say that the ‘lieving . that a 75% ‘increase | proposed budget is the minimum: rather than ‘a more: moderate one {amount under which the District is necessary, we will be glad to ‘can operate efficiently, we be- give it careful consideration.” } ' | Sere aarribiiic pas ON. doce tate tls Fay cg eS Pa Charles Moore Met Death | | Charles P. Moore, 48, met his! The body was taken‘ to the |death Saturday evening when he Lopez Funeral Home and _pre- in contact with a primary. ‘. psame maryY}pared for burial, and yesterday ire, 1 ie paae Bae Aa electricity, fterhoon at 3:45 o'clock was while working at the corner of/|; Duncan and White streets, on the taken in the regular conveyance jlines of the Key West Electric|of the Home and carried to the |Co. He was a member of the!family home near Okeechobee, | auxiliary crew who arrived in the | Florida, where funeral services |city about six weeks ago, and, were to be held 2:30-o'clock this {have been making extensive re- | afternoon. |pairs, and renewals, Employees of the company Just how the accident occurred ; who went with the body were: no one is aware. Other workmen H. J. Jones, construction fore- were nearby at work, and one of man, and Mrs. Jones, Mr. |them saw Mr, Moore sitting|Mrs. Richard J. Baker, Mr. and | astride a cross arm and remarked Mrs. Henry J. Breeder, | that he had secured a comfortable | Lewis Stuart and L. J. Lanier. ; Seat. The foreman H. J. Jones,! B. L. Grooms, president of the |also looked up and saw _ Moore Key West Electric Co., this morn- |and it was then they both realized |ing expressed his gratitude and | that he had been hurt. the thanks of the company for ;. Richard Baker, who first saw: the heroic efforts of those who |him went up the pole and saw! did all possible in the hope of re- Moore gasp several times for; storing life to the stricken man, |breath. He called to Mr. Jones and also his appreciation to those jand they lowered their com-'who supplied those who | panion to the ground and began | working with coffee and other re- rule i nie ite rill zEF E 4 i t ithe opposite of charges made was ment showing the financial con-| sought. . No - personal opinions gition of the Project and the Dis- | regarding his belief that it is ne- i } {were to be discussed, nor will trict, covering such fiscal year,|cessary to call a special session | {such appear in the following. and certified by independent aud- Ever since the 4th day of Janu-’ jtors’”, ‘ary, 1937, at which time check Jn accordance with the above, number one to the amount of the State Auditing: Department, | $640,000 was made\out. to the entirely independent of the Dis- |F-EC. Railway Company, signed trict, presented a full and com- by B. M. Duncan and B. D. Trev-| prehensive audit of the affairs of ‘or, general manager and chair-|the District to each and every {man of the board, respectively, |bondholder and member of the {there has been constant call to| Board. This was released Sep- } :“stand inspection” of records and |tembeg 29, 1938. Another similar acts of the District by various’ audit will be made in a few days, ! agencies, and in’response to va-ias ordered’ by the Board, by the! rious and asserted charges from, of the commission by ‘August a1. if not earlier. | The letter follows, with copiés to the Chamber of Commerce and| The Citizen: i “Referring to yours of 23rd in- | stant, which you state there is no| necessity of having a special | meeting during the week ending } August 26th, as you feel sure that | the entire state now knows that |- “In Contacting Electricity éither one person or a _ group, seeking no one knows just what. : The first inspection was made by ‘the PWA, shortly following the above date, and after the office had written but six checks and the total record file amounted to a batch of correspondence and j other matter that one could carry lunder one’s arm. | Check, double jeheck has {records check, triple been, according to | readily available, ‘the i “going thing” in regard to every- District. And yet, it |that the District needs to be inves- tigated. ' It will be seen, however, {that in view of the close. scrutiny placed on the affairs of the Dis- | trict and the manner in which all business is transacted, that every- thing is in perfect order. The ‘records show that and the fol- Hlowing will further bear the statement out. } ‘Thé manner in which all vouch- ers are drawn proved interesting. A copy of each voucher, as drawn, is sent to Mr. W. V. Knott, state ,treasurer and treasurer ex-officio f the District, and one to George . Mixon, auditor of the PWA, ;who was headquartered in the ,Post Office building in this city ;Up to six months ago. { Mr. Mixon made periodic poaseasg and audits of the District, as the records show, a final check i(although there Will be more as ‘times goes on) béing made. a short three weeks ago when Mr. !Mixon was here from the head office in Atlanta. } On July 19, 1937, the following | Fesolution @ppeats in the minutes ‘of the Board: “Rseolved, "that the: firm of |2 And so, it will be seen, con- made, the thoroughly ‘trary to allegations District has been checked at all times. It has been alleged that \the presnt manager is unfavorbale to jpublicity and advertising. While little shows on. the records that brings out substantiation of that ‘stand, or denial of it, the records |do show that .The Key West Citi zen, along with representatives of the two Miami papers, were ¢ jcalled to the office to discuss ad- jthing that has transpired in the } is stated) vertising. This was in April of 1938, shortly after the bridges ‘opened. A campaign was started at that time, and letters show that inquiries: had been made for jthe printing of stickers and con- struction of'sign boards at various strategic points up-state. At the atinual meeting last year ,@ budget of $12,000 was set up for publicity purposes—the matter being taken out of the |general manager’s hands at that |time, and the money given to Mark Byron's firm in Miami for expenditure. | However, before that budget, the minutes of July 9, 1938, meet- ing state: “Resolved, that the Board of Commissioners dispense with all advertising and publicity expense until the question as to its legality was determined”. Further, on request from the RFC, the amount of $12,000 was reduced to approximately’ $9,000. The point is, as the records show, there is no way in which any certain amount of toll money can be “earmarked” for advertising, ‘|just what was meant by the same department of the state. | : Hom {the increase of tolls does’ not go | hinto effect,, I cannot agree with you as I am receiving letters from | [residents of thé state as well as| out of the state asking for infor- | jmation regarding same. | | “At the meeting held August | | 12th, Mr. Slade proposed the next | jmeeting be held in Tallahassee, | iFlorida, after his arrival from va- | ationing in the North. I at the! ime told him, also Mr. John Ken- | \nedy told him, I would not be/ jable to attend such a meeting, and ° I am placing you on notice at this | jtime as well as Chairman Slade} ito this effect. | | “It will be impossible for me to} imake the trip to Tallahassee,: and | (I have learned that Mr. Symon- | :ette concurs in my statement. i Further, Mr. John Kennedy from /{ |Fort Lauderdale iritends leaving | | Sunday, August 27th, on the Gov-! jernor’s Special for New: York and ! |will be gone approximately ten | jdays. Should Mr. Slade not ar-! pe back in the state before the date of August 31st, any action) jtaken at the meeting of August | j12th will be effective September | jist, 1939.. sf ;. “You are well aware of many | |important matters to be adjusted not later than August 31st, con- leerning our budget, appointing a jnew manager, etc., and I am still) jot the* opinion that this meeting i (Continued on Page Two) | danger which goes with all boating, but which never disheartens a true boatman. had proceeded . Key West with their make- shift steering device. Then splutter, splutter, pop pop, and the motor stopped. The gas had run out. in the motor, “and you'd be surprised how far we came in on it", one of the party said, However, the motor stopped again, and the group was forced fo scull the boat in- to Key West island far away. They hove to, off the rocks at the southern end of White- head street, where a skiff ‘was put out from shore to bring some of the party in to was boat agape: A group of Boy Scouts from! ; Homestead, under the leadership | jot Scoutmaster J. Brooker, ar-| ra eg is, cae ama ernoon and were escorted to! estead Scouts Came - To Key West Saturday. prised at their reception and the manner in which their temporary quarters had been fitted out, with every in the evening wre: delightd when the local scouts assembled in the PRICE FIVE CENTS Assn. To Appoint Committes To Handle Important Matters | Meeting Of Organization Called For Tuesday Aft- ernoon At Church Annex On Eaton Street Appoiniment of committees to |handle important civic and busi- | ness matters in behalf of the or- | ganization will be one of the fea- ‘tures of a meeting of the Key {West Hotel and Tourist Associa- tion at Stone Church Annex, be- \ginning at 2 p. m., Tuesday, | chairman R. A. Lehmann report: jed today. | . Owners or managers of 19 Key : | West hotels, notei-apartments and * | lodging houses either have joined cr have indicated their intention to join the association, and one of the committees will be charg- ed with the task of enlisting the } cooperation of all other rooming- | houses and hotels that so far have not been represented at organiza- tion meetings. Me [lt is also being “proposed “by: some members of the association to invite interests identified with | the hotel industry to become as- sociate members of the organi- |zation. Proponents of this plan | believe it will add strength and | give weight to the assotiation’s {program to boost civic improve- |ments that, would enhance; Key ‘West as a tourist and “Vacation center: f “Further organization détails | Will" be.considered at. the meeting tomorrow”; * Chigifmiar” Lehmann j said. “We have been given the jadvice of the Greater Miami Ho- |tel Association officials who have had long experience in this kind of work, and their ideas, together | with the by-laws and constitu- | tion under which the Miami asso- | ciation operates, will be explain- |ed and outlined at the meeting: “It is important for all -our | members to attend, and t6 bring {with them the representatives of ‘other hotels, apartments and | lodging houses not already repre- {sented in the association”. | Listed alphabetically, the hotels |and apartment-hotels and lodging houses already identified with the association are: Bradley Tourist Home, Central Inn, Coral Hotel, Gibson House, Gilbert-Jefferson | Hotel, Golden Inn, Keys Guest | House, La Concha Hotel, Land’s | End Inn, North Beach Inn, Ocean | View Hotel, Overseas Hotel, Ric- kett’s Apartments, Roberts Home, Siboney Inn, Silver Palm Hotel jand Southern Inn. | WARBLER TO RETURN Wrecking Tug Warbler is due \to arrive in port tomorrow con- |voying the steamer Fernglen, | which was salvaged by the wrecking tug when in distress on Quito Sueno Bank, 750 miles from Key West in the Caribbean Sea. The tug sailed from her home © port of Key West on August 16 land last week the Fernglen was journey to Key West began. In the interim, Tug Peacock, sister wrecking tug to the Warb-