Coral Gables Riviera

Winner of SIX PRIZES In 1941 STATE NEWSPAPER CONTEST

CORAL GABLES RIVIERA

AN INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER 16TH YEAR NO. 11 CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA, MAY 2, 1941 PRICE FIVE CENTS

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Our Department Was A Prize Winner in The STATE CONTEST Phone 4-1634

Two More Candidates Enter Commission Race

Straws In The Political Wind

By JIM MOORE New registrations got off to a slow start this week with only 104 persons signing up during the first seven days the books have been open. It must be taken into consideration, however, that these are new registrations, previously registered voters not being required to sign up again. If the political campaign continues to be as quiet as it has been so far, it is probable that new registrations will not be any too great. Just two weeks are left for candidates to file petitions, and to date only four have come forth with the announcements of their intention to run. There are several more that are considering entering the race, but they all seem to be holding back, waiting to see how the political wind is blowing. With today's announcements, the slate lines up like this, so far: FOR MAYOR W. Keith Phillips FOR COMMISSIONER Wallace A. Bell Dennis A. Cray Thomas C. Mayes The gossip ovens turned out the red-hot rumor this week that Joe Whitley would become more than an interested spectator in this election and enter the mayoralty contest. Joe, like Keith Phillips, still has two more years to serve as a commissioner. This possibility, however, is still in the rumor stage and has not been confirmed by Mr. Whitley. Mayor McGarry is still keeping the prognosticators guessing about the part he will play in this election. Paul has three choices he can make. He can drop out of the race entirely. He can run for re-election as a commissioner or he can run for mayor and commissioner. It is to be remembered, that under the Gables election set-up, even if Paul did choose to run only for the commission post that his name would still appear on the voting machine as a candidate for mayor. Robert Seymour, the businessman candidate of last election, has joined the ranks of Ben Turner and Milt Garris and does not "choose to run". Mr. Seymour was considering trying again, but has decided against it. While no official announcement has been made by the Taxpayer's Association concerning a ticket, this writer feels that the support of that group will unquestionably go to Messers. Bell, Cray and Mayes as far as commission candidates are concerned. As to the mayoralty race, their decision will probably be reserved until Joe Whitley decides what he is going to do.

Gables Building Increase Holds, As April Total Passes $129,000

Taking an ever-increasing importance in state building Coral Gables building permits for the month of April show a total of $129,157 in new building, with 72 construction jobs under way in the city. April building for 1941, according to L. W. Robinson, building inspector, is $10,000 better than it was a year ago, when building permits totaled only $119,190. The figure for the first four months of 1941 furnishes an even better contrast with last year, showing a gain of almost $20,000 per month in Gables building. Our total so far in '41 amounts to $480,600, compared to the '40 figure of $408,510 for the same period. If 1941 increases continue, Coral Gables should top its last year's building record of over $1,750,000 by a comfortable margin, according to, Robinson, who repeated his claim that building in this city is on a firmer foundation than in other Greater Miami communities, due to the lack of "shoestring" builders found here. Robinson said that he had heard rumors of a new hotel being planned for Coral Gables, but was unable to make any definite statement about it as yet. He added that the April building permit figures represented 27 new buildings, and that the opening prospects for May looked very promising.

Defense Courses Will Start Soon

Special courses in national defense teaching will be given at the University of Miami for high school teachers, Colin English, state superintendent of public instruction, reported Wednesday, adding that the courses will be started during the first term of the summer session. Instruction for teachers of mathematics and science will include six weeks of laboratory and manual work in operation and construction of airplanes, engines, radio and machine tools. The courses are part of a national program to speed defense needs.

Coral Gables Praised by N.E.A. Group

Praise for the beauty and hospitality of Coral Gables was prevalent Monday when the city entertained over 500 newspaper men and women, here on the National Editorial Association's post-convention tour of the state. The editors arrived in the city at 12.45 in 16 special busses. With a police escort, they traveled to the Country Club of Coral Gables, where they were served a buffet luncheon, from tables decorated by the Coral Gables Garden Club. Entertainment was furnished by the Girls Ensemble of Ponce de Leon High School and the University of Miami String orchestra. Mark Wilcox, general chairman of the Greater Miami reception committee, introduced Mayor Paul McGarry, who extended a welcome on behalf of the city. Each guest was furnished with a copy of the Riviera's birthday edition, which Mayor McGarry termed as "one of the best advertisements Coral Gables could offer." In response to the mayor's welcome, the N.E.A. delegates joined in singing "Happy Birthday to Coral Gables", on the occasion of the 16th anniversary (Please turn to Page Six)

JAYCEES TO HOLD '90'S' BALL MAY 10

The Fourth Annual Gay Nineties Ball, yearly junior Chamber of Commerce benefit party, will be held this year at the Country Club of Coral Gables on Saturday, May 10, according to a Jaycee statement Thursday afternoon. This year the event will be a combined Ball and Carnival, with many new attractions added to previous Gay Nineties features. Harry Reser, nationally known orchestra leader, who is replacing Ham Olson at the Country Club, will play for the dance. Reser has played on such national programs as the Gold Dust and Coca Cola hours. (Please turn to Page Six)

As Gables Entertained Editors

This picture was taken Monday in the patio of the Country Club of Coral Gables, when 500 members of the National Editorial Association were guests of the city at a buffet luncheon. Copies of the picture, sent out by the city publicity department, will appear in 300 newspapers throughout the country.

Local Vote May Be Asked In School District Plan

Bringing a new element into the campaign for aid to Ponce de Leon High School, the committee which is working for a redistricting plan for Coral Gables schools this week discarded, at least temporarily, the project of asking the state legislature to place all Coral Gables in one school district. The new plan which replaces this old one is to bring the school question to a vote in the Gables area, which can be done if 35 per cent of the freeholders approve the election. "We have found that it isn't necessary to go to Tallahassee," said Frank Holley, leader of the group which is trying to change the present school district set-up, "and that if we did, the state legislature would probably recommend our putting the matter to a local vote, anyway." Holley added that George Shaw, city clerk, is conducting an investigation to determine whether Coral Gables is capable of cutting itself loose and supporting its own schools. At the present, Coral Gables is divided into two districts: District Two, which takes in Coral Gables from Coral Way north; and District Five, which includes the area in Coral Gables south of Coral Way. Both districts take in large portions (Please turn to Page Six)

Expect More R.A.F. Fliers

Forecast of a larger role on the war stage for the University of Miami was made Tuesday with the arrival in Miami of Wing Commander R. L. Ragg, R.A.F., reportedly here to make arrangements for the training of ten more British airmen in the air navigation course being given at the University with the cooperation of Pan American Airways. The air navigation course, which is being attended by U.S. Army air corps cadets and ten English airmen, is a new developmnt in teaching "avigation," and one of the most thorough courses of its kind ever established. Ragg, who is air attache of the British Embassy in Washington, met here by Capt. F. H. Goodrich, commanding of- (Please turn to Page Six)

Thomas Mayes, Dennis Cray Announce Intentions to Run; Mayes Resigns City Judgeship

Dennis A. Cray, a member of the firm of Cray and Diano, who has taken an active interest in the civic affairs of Coral Gables for the past several years, announced this week that he will present his name as a candidate for the office of city commissioner as the coming municipal election. Mr. Cray said that he was making the announcement "upon urgent request by a large number of citizens of this city". Before coming to Coral Gables about five years ago, he was associated in an official capacity with the Chatham Phoenix National Bank of New York, the National City Bank of Chicago and was executive vice president of a chain of banks in northern Indiana. He is a graduate of Chicago Kent College of Law and admitted to practice in the state of Illinois. He is an accountant and has had considerable wholesale and retail business experience. Mr. Cray states that he "feels that his training and experience qualify him to serve the people of this community on the city commission if it is the will of the majority of the voters when they cast their ballots on June 10, 1941."

Thomas Mayes, Dennis Cray Announce Intentions to Run; Mayes Resigns City Judgeship [Continued]

Municipal Judge Thomas C. Mayes resigned his judgeship this week to announce his candidacy for a commission post in the June election. Judge Mayes simultaneously gave up his bench and tossed his hat into the political ring in a letter to the city commission. Judge Mayes was born near Morristown, Tennessee, March 3, 1900. He received his B. A. degree from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. After teaching school for two years, he entered Cumberland University at Lebanon, Tennessee where he received an LL.B. degree. Judge Mayes was admitted to the Tennessee bar and practiced his profession there for one year, before coming to Miami, He was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1926 and has practiced his profession in Miami since that time. He was an associate lawyer in the firm of Morrow and Hawthorne up to the time of the dissolution of that firm and has been a partner in the law firm of Morrow and Mayes, with offices in the Ingraham Building since that time. In November, 1937, S. Grover Morrow, Thomas C. Mayes, and O. B. Sutton formed (Please turn to Page Six)

No City Judge Will Be Named Until Tuesday

Coral Gables will not have a municipal judge for a few days—unless a crime wave or some other emergency speeds action on appointing a new one. The post, left vacant by Thomas C. Mayes, who resigned upon announcing his candidacy for city commission, can be filled only by action of the city commission. A new city judge will probably be named at Tuesday's commission meeting. City officials decided to forego a special meeting to act on Mayes' resignation, on the identity of the next judge, declaring that the action of the entire commission would be necessary before naming Mayes' successor.

Ponce Girl Wins Contest

Barbarajane Mayhew, Ponce de Leon High School senior, won first place in the state of Florida in the National Defense Essay Contest, which was sponsored here by the Lindley DeGarmo unit of the Legion Auxiliary. Miss Mayhew will be presented with the state prize by Mrs. W. E. Burkins, national defense chairman, at the school's award ceremonies in May. She will enter her contest-winning essay in the national contest against the 47 winners of other state prizes.

Legion Makes Annual Awards

Before a large group of students, parents and friends, the Coral Gables American Legion post, 98, with Commander Ed Winegar officiating, presented the annual Legion awards Thursday morning at Ponce de Leon High School auditorium. Those receiving the annual award were: William Auld, Miss Alice Virginia Allen, Miss Jacqueline Cordes, Clyde Hudson and William Prahic.

Thief Keeps Money But Returns Car

A rare wrinkle in robbery was practiced early Sunday morning by a robber who held up Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Harting of 1228 Anastasia Ave. Hiding himself in the back of Harting's coupe, the man waited until the car was driven away from a bar in the 3200 block of Coral Way, then pressed a gun into Harting's neck and ordered him to drive to Douglas Road. After forcing the couple from the car and taking $17 in cash from them, the theif drove off in the car. The car was discovered at 3:30 a. m. back at the tavern the Harting's had left when the robbery took place.

C. of C. Names 3

Denis V. Renuart, Hollis Rinehart, jr., and Thomas C. Mayes were elected directors of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce during the annual balloting held this week. The will serve with hold-over directors Frank N. Holley, Judge R. J. Walters, and Wade Liddington Street and advisory directors W. Keith Phillips and Ralph Wilkins. New officers of the organization will be elected at the next meeting of the board of directors on May 14.

Ponce de Leon Tribune Receives Top Honors in National Contest

The Ponce Tribune, newspaper of the Ponce de Leon High School, this week received notice that it had placed in the top bracket—the All-American Honor Rating—of the annual contest held by the National Scholastic Press Association. The award won by Ponce is based on a scoring on points, in which the paper piled up a total of 1240: 270 points for news values and sources, 365 for news writing and editing, 290 for headlines, typography and makeup, and 315 for department pages and special features. The association's comment on the Ponce Tribune as a whole was "A remarkably good paper, professional in style and handling of news." Ratings on individual characteristics brought the following rankings of "superior," which is best grade possible: vitality, originality, leads, features, interviews, headlines, typography, front page makeup, printing, editorial page, features, makeup, sports page, sports writing and display. Special comment was made on the Tribune's sports and interviews. The Ponce Tribune is edited by an all-student staff headed by Barbara Browne, editor-in-chief, Mary Carter, feature and art editor; Martin Avery, sports editor; Fritz Myers, art editor, and Collins Hay, literary editor, complete the editorial roster. Nedra McNamara is faculty advisor for the paper, which is printed by the Coral Gables Riviera. Mary Jane Westerdahl is business manager, while Bobby De Weese is manager of circulation.

Here's the Card To Be Issued to Gables Domestics

THE CITY OF CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA IDENTIFICATION RECORD DATE ISSUED NO. THIS CERTIFIES THAT UNDER THE REQUIREMENTS OF ORDINANCE NO. (REGISTERED WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT OF THE CITY OF CORAL GABLES) NAME SEX AGE HEIGHT ADDRESS WEIGHT RACE COMPLEXION HAS BEEN EXAMINED AND FOUND TO BE IN A SATISFACTORY CONDITION OF HEALTH TO SERVE IN THE OCCUPATIONS DESCRIBED IN THAT ORDINANCE UNTIL COLOR HAIR COLOR EYES OCCUPATION DATE THE CITY OF CORAL GABLES HEALTH OFFICER BY: POLICE DEPARTMENT EMPLOYER'S SIGNATURE ADDRESS RIGHT THUMB PHOTO SIGNATURE EMPLOYER'S SIGNATURE ADDRESS EMPLOYER'S SIGNATURE ADDRESS EMPLOYER'S SIGNATURE ADDRESS EMPLOYER'S SIGNATURE ADDRESS Here's a sample of the card Coral Gables domestics will be required to fill out when health examinations, conducted by the city health department, begin in the near future. The cards will serve the two-fold purpose of establishing definite identification and also certifying good health. The identification section of the card will be filled out at the police station, under supervision of the police identification bureau; while the health information will be filled by officers of the department of health. Two additional spaces serve as additional indentification: the space for signatures of past and present employers, and the space for thumb print, photo and signature. The city is not yet able to begin the health examinations, as preparations for the additional detail work must be made both by the police and health departments. Watch the Riviera for details on the date of first examinations.