Coral Gables Riviera

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CORAL GABLES RIVIERA

AN INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER 17TH YEAR NO. 51 CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA, FEBRUARY 7, 1941 PRICE FIVE CENTS

Coral Gables Wins Point In Debt Case

OUR TOWN by Jim Moore

Not that we want to belittle Deanna Durbin (for this has been her week in Greater Miami), but we believe that we have a youngster right here in Coral Gables whose star is destined to shine just as brightly as the charming Deanna's. We are referring to Jean Butcher, a student at Ponce de Leon High School, who entranced members of the Coral Gables Kiwanis Club with her singing on Tuesday. Jean is a new resident in Coral Gables, coming here with her mother from old Kentucky. She's blond, beautiful and has a voice that make the tingles run up and down your spine every time she hits a high note. No trembling amateur is Jean, despite her youth. She already has had experience singing in pictures, over the radio and before large audiences. Last year when she sang befor the international convention of Kiwanis, the members voted her the "sweetheart of Kiwanis" by acclamation. This only begins to tell of her accomplishments. But first we'd better tell you that Jean appears professionally under the name of "Jean Ellis" and perhaps you've heard of her. In the picture "The Girl of the Golden West" she played the part of Jeannette MacDonald as a child. She has sung on several big network programs and Paul Whiteman now has her under contract. Her successes have not gone to her head, and although she has the poise of a veteran trouper, she is charming and unaffected. She's gone a long way up the ladder of success, and we predict that she'll hit the top rung. We're proud that Jean and her mother have chosen Coral Gables as their place of residence and we're sure they'll find many friends here. Anne O'Toole, who is "Miss Big" down at Collonade Studios, really blossomed out in fine form with a big welcome banner for the newspapermen and celebrities who were here for the premiere of "Back Street." The big sign was much in evidence as the cavalcade passed by heading for the beach, and when Deanna Durbin made her Hollywood entrance into town this week afterward, Miss O'Toole, who hails from the hills of West Virginia (as does your correspondent), is rather new to the motion picture industry, but she evidently has a flair for showmanship that helps a lot in that business. Congratulations, Anne, on your splendid welcome sign and for the public spiritedness shown in going to the trouble and expense of putting it up.

School's Plea For Athletic Field Denied

The University of Miami's plea for a $75,000 athletic field, located between LeJeune Road and Riviera Drive, were thwarted Monday night when the zoning board recommended that permission be denied to re-zone the tract. The board's ruling followed a lengthy public hearing, during which property owners adjoining the area appeared to protest the proposed plan. Last evening, despite a plea by U. J. Hiss, business manager of the University, the commission refused to over-ride the zoning board's recommendations.

Winter Institute to Open With Talks by 2 Authors

In the University of Miami Theatre at 2:30 Monday afternoon, the Winter Institute of Literature will get under way for its tenth season, with a series of lectures by Mary Ellen Chase, noted educator and writer, taking the spotlight from Monday through Friday evening. While Miss Chase will speak on the novel every day, there will be a break in her lectures Wednesday afternoon, when Eustace L. Adams, short story writer and novelist, will talk on "Making a Living at Fiction Writing." Every major aspect of the novel will be discussed in Miss Chase's series of talks. Monday afternoon she will speak on "The Writing of a Novel." Tuesday afternoon "The Reading of a Novel" (plot and story) will be the topic. Wednesday afternoon Adams will make his talk on "Making a Living at Fiction Writing." Wednesday evening Miss Chase will be heard on "The Reading of a Novel" (characters) Thursday afternoon "The Reading of a Novel" (history and the importance of setting) will be the subject, Friday evening "The Question of Value in Fiction" will be given. Mary Ellen Chase, who has a distinguished record both as an educator and as an active writer, was born in Blue Hill, Maine. She was Instructor in English at the University of Minnesota and served as associate professor of English at Smith College from 1926-29. Since 1929 she has been professor of English at Smith. Her novels, whose publications date from 1914 to the present, include "His Birthday," "Girl from the Bigthorn Country," "Virginia of Elk Creek Valley," "Mary Christmas," "The Art of Narration," "Uplands," "Thomas Hardy from Serial to Novel," "Writing of Informal Essays," "Constructive Theme Writing," "The Silver Shell," "A Goodly Heritage," "Mary Peters," "Silas Crockett," "This England," "Dawn in Lyonesse" and "A Goodly Fellowship." She has published many short stories, essays and reviews to such magazines as Harper's, Scribner's, the Atlantic Monthly and Yale Review. Eustace L. Adams, who has a remarkable wide background in all kinds of fiction, was born in Saco, Maine. He was a reporter on the Boston Post, and an associate and the managing editor of Popular Science Monthly. He wrote such juvenile series as "Fifteen Days in the Air," "On the Wings of Flame," "The Young Sky Riders" and "War Wings." Besides his numerous contributions to the popular fiction magazines, he has written such novels as: "A Knight Comes (Please turn to Page Five)

Collides With Parked Car

A collision with a parked car resulted this week in the arrest of Martin Weiss, 51, of 334 Sidney Ave., when he damaged the automobile of E. L. Smith of Miami, whose car was parked while Smith watched a picture show. Charged with driving under the influence of liquor, causing an accident and leaving the scene of an accident, Weiss, who should have appeared in court Wednesday evening, had his case continued until tonight, pending the location of witnesses. Weiss, who drove away from the scene of the accident immediately, according to police, was apprehended due to the quick action of a witness, who took his license number as he drove away. Police arrested Weiss shortly afterward and released him under bond pending trial.

NYA Adds Radio Course

The addition of a radio repair and construction unit to the present NYA Mechanical Workshop was announced today by R. R. Goodman, Area Director of the National Youth Administration. Actual work experience may be had by boys who are interested in radio construction and repair; also in the building and operation of two-way transmitters and code address systems. Equipment has already been installed and work will start February 4, on the installation of a transmitter and antenna. Work in this department will be under the supervision of Mr. Fred Bassett, Jr., who has had wide experience in this field. A limit of twenty boys for the radio department has been set and application may be made at the area office, 35 N. W. 1st Street. Any boy between the ages of 16 and 25 who wishes to gain experience in this field may apply. He must work at least 78 hours each month for which he receives $19.50. The NYA Shop is located at 4300 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Coral Gables; and also offers work in auto mechanics, woodworking, machine shop and welding. Application may also be made for work in these departments. The need of inexperienced youth is for jobs; the need of industry today is for experienced workers. Records show that NYA youths are continually leaving the program for private employment, which, in many cases is secured as a result of experience gained on their NYA jobs. Local employment offices report that the demand is steadily increasing for radio repairmen and operators; also in other mechanical fields in which the NYA is offering work experience.

Officer Dies Of Bad Heart

Martin Malstrom, 72, a special officer at the Miami Biltmore Hotel, was found dead in his bed Monday morning, the victim of a heart attack, when another guard, John Bowman, went to call him for duty at 6:45 a. m. Malstrom had been working as an officer at the Biltmore for six years. Malstrom's death was the third in a series of heart attacks which started last Friday morning. An aged New York other officer, Richard Weber, 40, and a colored employee, David Knowles, both died of heart attacks. Both men, like Malstrom, had been under the care of physicians for their heart ailments for some time prior to their deaths. Malstrom, who came here from Nutley, N. J., is survived by his son, C. P. Malstrom of Nutley, and another son who resides in Philadelphia. Funeral arrangements are being made by Philbrick's funeral service.

Schneider on Team

Robert E. Schneider, Jr., is a member of the varsity track school at Providence, R. I., squad at the Moses Brown where the winter track season began Saturday. Robert is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Schneider of 520 Alhambra Circle.

S. Miami Fair Opens Feb. 10

The largest and most colorful agriculture fair ever held in the Greater Miami area will throw open its gates to the general public Monday at South Miami, Gateway to the Farmlands of South Dade County. Featuring a huge 200-foot exhibition tent in which will be displayed the choicest fruits, vegetables and poultry of the rich South Dade agricultural region, the first-annual South Miami Fair will also have an added attraction on a carnival midway. To add more color to the spectacular county fair showing, a trio of three northern Miami Beach bathng beauties will be the guests of Mayor Frederick Glass of South Miami to act as judges in selecting a "farmerette queen" from a bevy of beauties representing 12 separate communities from Coral Gables to Florida City. The mayorality judging staff will be composed of Carl Ault of Hialeah; Carl Adams of Miami Springs and Daniel Rosenfelder of Opa Locka. The queen who will be selected at 9:30 p. m. Monday will reign over the 6-day fair as "Miss South Dade Agriculture" and be presented with a large gold loving cup by Colonel Richard Gimbel of Miami. In keeping with the agricultural and farm motif, the beauty dontestants will parade their charms in slacks instead of the convential bathing suits and evening dress attire.

Two Speakers Slated for Century Club

The Century Club members and audience will hear two angles on the present World War, at the next lecture meeting scheduled for 8:15, Wednesday evening, at the Miami Biltmore hotel. Dr. Victor Belaunde, founder of the Pan-American studies at the University of Miami, a famous diplomat of Peru and widely known educator in inter-American culture, will address the club on "The Nationalistic Reaction in South America." Louis J. Alber, internationally known author and lecturer, will talk on "The Irresistible Winston Churchill," the same evening. Alber, who has known the British premier for 20 years, accompanied him on his tour in the United States in 1931-32. He is making a series of addresses in Florida, and his appearance before the Century club will be his only one in Greater Miami. Miss Bertha Foster of the University of Miami will present her second chorus of Debs and Dates in a selection of songs. Following the program, refreshments will be served in the lounge of the hotel.

Jaycees Name Committeemen

Committee chairman for the coming year were announced this week by Wade Stephens, president of the Coral Gables Junior Chamber of Commerce. Appointees include: Plate Cutshaw, membership; Grant Stockdale, fellowship; Robert Crowe, Willard Brewer, convention; Benjamin Turner, Norman Hendry, resolutions; Skeet Brooks, Sidney Harris and John Sherman, boy scouts. Hem Olson was named general chairman for the Gay Nineties Ball, which will be held on May 10.

New Fencing Class Here

Members of the fencing class formed by the Hollywood-British theatre school attend an early session with Fencing Master Robert Dalton. In the back row, the spectators are, left to right: Lowell Winfield, who came here from Hollywood to take a role in "Bomb Shelter;" Beth Hayes of Coral Gables, Frances Stockbridge, John Robertson of Coral Gables and Philip White of the University of Miami. In the foreground are Rosemary Holbrook, imported from the movie colony to play in "Bomb Shelter," Robert Dalton and Adele Bowman of Hollywood. The class was formed by the Hollywood-British school of the theatre.

Ten Permits in First Four Days Indicate Banner Building Month

With a surprisingly heavy rush of building in the first few days in February, this month threatens to become a baner month in building construction for Coral Gables. The first four days of February piled up a total of $55,800 in building permits, which, if the present pace continues, indicates an immense gain over the same month in 1940, when the entire month brought $98,000 in permits into L. W. Robinson's office. This month, which will register a healthy increase over the $89,399 in permits issued in January, has seen 10 new buildings go into construction. The Pinkham Land Co. accounted for the largest part of the new permits so far, with five homes with garages which it is building on Daroco and Marmore Avenues. Valued from $5,000 to $5,300, W. L. Cone will build the five homes, which were designed by Curtis E. Haley, architect. A house valued at $5,750 will be built at 1405 Sorolla Ave. by the Pearson Construction Co. H. George Fink is the architect. The addition to the First Methodist Church, reported last week in the Riviera, accounted for another of the month's new permits. Designed by Wolfe and Marxm, a house is under construction by the Babcock-Lamont Co. at 642 Sevilla Ave., costing $6,000. Mr. and Mrs. K. E. Sessler are planning a new home at 756 Malaga Ave. Their home will be built at a cost of $5,500, and was designed by William Shanklin. An $8,000 house and garage is planned by Herman Stutz, who will build at 3601 Durango. St. E. Rean Parmelee was the architect.

Adult Classes Start

Registration for the second semester's Adult Classes of the University of Miami will be taken tomorrow from 8:30 a. m. to 1 p. m. at the Registrar's office at the University. The adult education program includes many professional courses as well as liberal arts classes. All classes will ebhldwbhf the late afternoons and evenings. Work will begin next week.

Kiwanis Hears Pan-Am Official

The necessity of a better understanding between North and South America was stressed by Arthur Curtis, public relations director of Pan American Airways, at the meeting of the Kiwanis Club on Tuesday. The luncheon was held at the Country Club of Coral Gables. Curtis explained that the Axis powers have been customers of South America for many years and now that this market has been taken away from them, the United States must come forth with a definite economic program with its Latin neighbors. He told Kiwanians that American businessmen have been too impatient in their dealings with South Americans. He stated that while Americans endeavor to clear up their sales in a few days time, that Germans have settled there, married South Americans and made a thorough study of the customs. "The Americas are held together only by fear", he stated, "and there needs to be a more permanent bond." Curtis emphasized the fact that Miami plays a vital part in cementing this bond. Through the Pan American depot at Dinner Key last year passed 77,000 passengers, Over 1,000 packages of air express head southward on every Clipped, most of them samples that may result in later large orders. He stated that North Americans should study South America and its problems carefully and endeavor to understand the picture to the south of us.

Gables Gains

The 1940 census shows a gain of more than 45 per cent in the oppulation of Coral Gables since the 1930 census was taken.

135 New Claims For Exemptions

With claims for 1941 homestead exemptions coming in at the rate of about 25 a day there have been 135 new claims filed this year which have never been on the books before, Gerald A. Bowen, tax assessor, reported today. The new claims represent three major types. Sixty homes were classed as eneligible for exemption last year, but are exempt this year because a change in ownership has brought them under the eligible heading. Twenty-eight homes, which related, year are exempt again, (Please turn to Page Five)

Interrogation Of Creditors Is Forbidden

Following a hearing at Fort Pierce, Florida, on Tuesday, Feb. 4, Judge John W. Holland of the United States District Court, sustained and made permanent an injunction he had issued on January 25, preventing the dissenting creditors of the City of Coral Gables in the case from directly interrogating any of the non-cooperating creditors without due notice to the Court and the City, and a ruling by the Court upon the necessity and propriety of the questions. The American National Bank, sent to all of the cooperating creditors voluminous interrogatories, consisting of thirty-four main questions and many sub questions. The City took the position that the interrogatories were legally improper, and that they were intended to discourage the cooperating creditors into withdrawing their support from the City, rather than as an effort to receive proper and pertinent information for the Court. Learning of the interrogatories on January 24th, the City petitioned the Court on January 25th for a stay or injunction order, which was granted. The hearing on Fort Pierce was for the purpose of giving counsel for the American National Bank of Nashville, Tennessee, an opportunity to show cause why the injunction should not be continued in force. Despite lengthy argument by opposing counsel, the Court's ruling was in the City's favor. One particular incident of the case has thus far been emphasized by the following quotation from the City's petition to the Court: "Your petitioner alleges that the filing of said interrogatories is not a bona fide attempt to secure information from the creditors, but is an attempt on the part of the American National Bank of Nashville, Tennessee, to coerce a sufficient number of the creditors to withdraw their claim so as to leave less than the 66 2/3% consent- (Please turn to Page Six)

Meeting Planned for Wednesday On Palm Trees for Business Area

With a total of 44 coconut palm trees donated by residents of Coral Gables and Miami for the beautification of Ponce de Leon Boulevard and Coral Way, as a part of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce plan to make the business section more attractive, members of the City Planning Board will meet with the chambers' directors next Wednesday night to discuss just where and how the palms will be planted. According to a survey of the business area and a cross-section survey of many residents, the planting of cocoanut palms along the two principle thoroughfares and placing of benches at intervals will add much to the attractiveness of that area. Although approximately 300 palms will be needed to complete the schedule, and only 44 have been donated, Frank N. Holley, Jr., President of the chamber, and Andrew N. Houston, Chairman of the Merchants Bureau, feel confident that additional trees will be contributed by the various men and women's civic organizations, thereby greatly increasing the number before next Wednesday night. Recently Mr. Holley approached Charles H. Crandon of the county commission as to the possibility of securing a hundred cocoanut palms from Biscayne Key when work is started on clearing the key, but since it has been found that palms grown along the sandy salt soils of the ocean do not fare very well if planted on rocky sub-soil such as is in Coral Gables. Persons desiring to assist in the work of beautifying the Coral Gables business area by contributing a palm of the money with which to buy one, are urged to contact the chamber of commerce or City Manager A. B. Curry. It is believed that with the city purchasing the palms in quantities, the cost per tree can be reduced to $10.00. Those contributing palms to date are: Sam Pederson, Peggy Beaton, Mrs. C. E. Goodhue, A. C. H. Snyder, Andrew N. Houston, Mr. Richards, J H. Darden, Art Lummis. Charles E. Dorris, Mrs. Chas. W. Henderson, Mr. Wallenstein, Frank Shattuck, The Keyes Company, F. N. Holley, Jr., 2 trees; Judge D. J. Heffernan, Dr. John C. Gifford, Carrol S. Daniels, A. H. Caffee, Mr. Saunders, L. E. Huguelet, A. B. Headley, E. C. Thrall, Upton C. Ewing, Coral Gables Riviera, C. T. Williams, Gordon Hennon, L. M. Adams, George E. Conner, Mrs. Arthur J. Keiker, Mrs. Carlotta Lewis, Miss Ann O'Toole, Mr. and Mrs. T. C. Carrico, Mrs. Edna M. Locke, and Mrs. E. Wheaton Crittenden.