Coral Gables Riviera

ALBERT E. HARUM PURCHASES THE MIAMI RIVIERA PUBLISHING COMPANY

Sale of all stock in the Riviera Publishing Company by John D. Montgomery, founder of the Coral Gables Riviera, to Albert E. Harum of Hemstead, Long Island, was announced by Mr. Montgomery today. Mr. Harum, who has been the assistant city editor of the Brooklyn Eagle, and Mrs. Harum, who also is a newspaper woman and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James H. Davidson, of 1248 Coral Way arrived today from Long Island and will make their home in the Gables. Mr. Harum will take charge of the Riviera immediately. Mr. Montgomery came to Miami from Kansas in the Fall of 1925 and soon afterward, seeing the possibilities of a community newspaper in Coral Gables, made plans for the Riviera. An office was opened in the old Construction building (now the Colonnade building) and preparations for the first issue were started. The editorial staff consisted of Montgomery, Helen V. Walker, A. D. Hale and J. B. Crandall. The first issue appeared January 15, 1926 coinciding with the formal opening of the Miami Biltmore hotel. The Riviera office was moved to its present location at 306 Coral Way in the latter part of 1926. At that time there were only three business buildings in the Gables. The Coral Gables corporation administration offices (now the post office) and the Ground Sales building (now the Granada Shops) were the center of activity. Plans had been announced, though, for the big building now occupied by the Colonnade Pictures and the First National Bank. Renuart Arcade, the Central Office and apartment buildings across the street, the LeBlond building where the Alcazar Pharmacy is now located, the Bank of Coral Gables (now the Presbyterian Church), Sam's filling station (in the the street opposite the bank) the Myers Electric company and Peacock's bakery were the other store buildings along the main street. Only a few months after the Riviera moved into its new building, which had been erected by Edward Dezen-dorf, the 1926 hurricane demolished the rear shop portion. It was rebuilt immediately. During the few weeks that the plant was being repaired the Riviera was printed in the Miami Daily News as a special courtesy of the late Morton M. Milford, editor, and Ross Reeder, business manager. In 1929, Mr. Montgomery and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harry E. Montgomery, of Newton, City, Kansas, made a world cruise and during that period the Riviera was published under the joint direction of the late Clarence T. Francis; W. J. Mather, who is now a professor of economics at Tulane University; E. E. Johnston, former associate editor of the Saturday Evening Post, and Harry Parsons, printing foreman. Mr. Montgomery's stories about his travels around the world were printed in the Riviera. For the last several years, Mr. Montgomery's other interests have necessitated his absence from Coral Gables much of the time. Clarence T. Francis, who died last winter, and James B. Moore, the present editor and general manager, have been in active charge of the Riviera in recent years. Mr. Montgomery is the publisher of The Miami Beach Daily Tropics and resides in Miami Beach.

CORAL GABLES RIVIERA

AN INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER | 16TH YEAR NO. 18 | CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA, JUNE 20, 1941 | PRICE FIVE CENTS

Work Started on New Budget

OUR TOWN

by Jim Moore | We can think of nothing that typifies better the spirit of Coral Gables than the community party that is scheduled for next Wednesday evening at the Country Club of Coral Gables This "open house" is no innovation. Coral Gables has been staging community parties ever since it has been a city. If the facts were available we imagine that the community has had more civic get-togethers than any other city of its size and age in the United States Coral Gables is that kind of a town. Its people are welded by a bond that makes our city stand out among others as a place where people live as a family, working together for the progress of the community. Of course, like any family, Coral Gables has its squabbles, but they are soon forgotten in the more important task of building a city of homes. We would like to particularly urge the new residents to attend the party Wednesday evening. We believe that you will become imbued with the spirit that is Coral Gables. You will meet your neighbors, who will soon be your friends and you will realize, more than ever before, the wise choice you have made in selecting Coral Gables as your home community. Have you ever heard the tone of pride that comes into a resident's voice when he tells someone, "I live in Coral Gables" It's there every time, because there isn't a single Gableite who isn't proud of his community and who doesn't delight in telling "less fortunates" about the best place to live under the sun. It's that feeling of pride, together with the common bond that welds us together and labels us "Gableites", that has been responsible for the rapid growth of our city. It has also been responsible for the preserving of the ideals of the founders of our community and the nurturing of beauty and culture in Coral Gables. Come on out to the party Wednesday night and feel the tingle you get when the lights are low and the soft strains of "When The Moon Shines in Coral Gables" float across the palm-lined patio. Look around you and see the friendly smiles on your neighbors' faces. Feel the warmth and sincerity of their hand-clasps. That, my friends is Coral Gables.

City and Chamber Will Stage 'Open House' Party At Country Club June 25

Residents of Coral Gables will be the guests of the city and the Chamber of Commerce next Wednesday evening at an Open House to be held at the Country Club of Coral Gables. The party, which is being held to introduce the new commission and the directors of the Chamber to the residents, will include dancing, refreshments and entertainment. Mrs. Alvie Lindberg, secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, is chairman for the event. Honorary hostesses include Mrs. Joe Whitley and Mrs. Frank N. Holley, co-chairmen; Mrs. Warren T. Moyer, Mrs. Andrew Healy, Mrs. W. Keith Phillips, Mrs. A. B. Curry, Mrs. George N. Shaw, Mrs. George E. Merrick, Mrs. A. R. Cassidy, Mrs. Upton C. Ewing, Mrs. D. J. Hefferman, Mrs. D. V. Renuart, Mrs. Hollis Rinehart, Jr., Mrs. Ralph Wilkins and Mrs. Andrew N. Houston. Assisting the honorary hostesses will be Miss Patricia Brandt, Miss Lillie Chandler Miss Mary Katherine Hefferman, Miss Margaret Ann McGarry, Miss Hortense Rogers, Miss Helen Reynolds, Miss Loretta Sheehy, Miss Dora Thomas, Miss Betty Mae Strickland, Miss June Belon and Mrs. Celia Smith. Ralph Wilkins will serve as master of ceremonies, introducing the city and Chamber officials. A short address by Dr. Louis K. Manley of the University of Miami is also scheduled. The Silver and Blue Country Club orchestra will furnish the music for dancing. No charge of any kind is being made for the party and all Gableites and their friends are invited to attend. Mrs. Lindberg has requested that each person wear a card, bearing their name, in order that residents will get to know each other.

Legion Post Plans Party

Coral Gables Post American Legion yesterday announced plans for a gala Fourch of July celebration at the post home, Alhambra Circle and Salzedo Street, at which the aviation cadet detachment at the University of Miami will be guests of honor and to which the citizens of Coral Gables have been extended an invitation to attend. Plans formulated at the Wednesday night meeting of the local Legion post for the celebration include a fish fry and evening dancing in the Legion home patio. The Coral Gables City Commission has acted to cooperate with the Legion Post in staging the event. When announcing plans for the entertainment of the University aviation cadets detachment Commander J. Edward Winegar of the post stated that the action was in line with the nation-wide move by United Service Organization to provide (Please turn to Page Four)

Venetian Pool To Open For Night Swimming

The Venetian Pool will open for night swimming next Friday and evening sessions will be continued five nights a week until labor day, Russ Ellington, pool manager announced yesterday. The pool is now open from 9 a. m. to 6 p. m. and commencing Friday, the evening sessions will be held from 7:30 p. m. until 10 p. m. No night sessions will be held Sunday evenings and Saturday evenings will be reserved for special parties, when picnics, suppers, swimming parties and small informal dances can be arranged by private groups. Two life guards will be on duty at the pool at all times and the water will be changed every night. The pool is drained and thoroughly scrubbed twice weekly. Special rates are available for Gables residents, and resident members of the Country Club of Coral Gables are admitted without charge.

Kiwanians Hear Defense Report

A report on the recent meeting of the United States Chamber of Commerce was given members of the Coral Gables Kiwanis Club on Tuesday by Francis Miller of Miami. Mr. Miller, who spoke at the club's luncheon at the Country Club of Coral Gables, presented a picture of the United States at work on defense, gleaned from speeches made at the Chamber meeting in Washington. Mr. Miller warned of an increase in taxation and said the tourist buiness in our state next winter might be affected because of lack of transportation facilities. (Please turn to Page Five)

Air-Minded Gables Girls Prepare for Defense Work

American co-eds are distinctly defense-conscious and are enthusiastically preparing themselves for serious work in the event of war. This trend is emphasized by student activities at many colleges, including our own University of Miami. A large number of University of Miami girls have been taking primary flight training at the Embry-Riddle School of Aviation here, the most prominent of its recent graduates being Dorothy Ashe, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Bowman F. Ashe; Elain Devery, of 3226 S. W. 27th St., and Jean Small, of 514 Palermo st. Each one of these girls has selected a definite field of defense activity, and they have embarked on careers in aviation that promise to be as dramatic as they are useful. Dorothy, for example, has set as her goal the mighty important task of handling air ambulances, if they'll let her, and if not, she's going to ferry war planes from factory to pilots for combat service. Elaine, known to her intimates as "Dev", has selected an equally important job—that of assisting other girls to learn to fly, thereby helping increase the number of feminine pilots who, in turn, can relieve additional male pilots. "Dev" can be found on the job at the Embry-Riddle land plane base at the Municipal airport each working day, ready to help start fledgling girl pilots on their (Please turn to Page Two) Miss Dorothy Ashe of Coral Gables is congratulated by H. A. Orr, C.A.A. Inspector, upon her reception of a private pilot's license.

In Appreciation (An Editorial

(An Editorial This is the last issue of The Riviera that will carry the name of its founder, John D. Montgomery, in the masthead. It is with regret that I transfer my responsibilities as publisher of the only newspaper in Coral Gables. It has been my endeavor to publish a paper that would be a credit to this beautiful and distinguished city, and I am proud that it has been recognized several times as the best weekly newspaper in the state of Florida. I take this opportunity to thank my associates and my many other friends, who have, during the 16 pleasant and unforgettable years, helped in building The Riviera. I know that Albert Harum, the new publisher, will find that same friendly spirit of cooperation and I wish him every possible success. John D. Montgomery

No Increase In Mileage Anticipated

Coral Gables' new city commission buckled down to work on the 1941-42 budget Wednesday night in the first of a series of extra meetings before the open hearings scheduled for July 7 and 8. Meeting with the comission were Finance Director George N. Shaw and City Manager A. B. Curry, who were both reappointed to their positions on Tuesday. The city manager's budget estimate, which has been presented to the commission, establishes the millage at 22, the same as last year. Anticipated increase in revenues from new construction and greater department incomes, has allowed the operating portion of the budget to be increased to $346,333.29, $30,910 above last year's original budget. The debt service millage is fixed by the refunding agreement of 1937 and has been set at 8.75778 mills, an increase of .11155 over last year. The increase is due to additional notes given for the purchase of equipment, bought on three-year terms. Of the total of 8.75889 for debt service, producing $194/114.40, 7.27838 mills, or $171,008.60 (Please turn to Page Four)

Will Discuss Waterways In Radio Speech

Coral Gables' waterway improvement program will be explained to radio listeners at 9:15 this morning when Roy Page is interviewed by Grover Theis on his regular WKAT program. Mr. Page will describe the work being done on widening and deepening the canals and the dredging at the entrance to the bay. He will also tell what this work will mean to the Coral Gables of the future.

Bell, Vice-Mayor C. S. Robertson Municipal Judge

Wallace A. Bell was appointed vice-mayor of Coral Gables this week by Mayor Joe Whitley and C. S. Robertson was named municipal judge. Both appointments were made at Tuesday's commission meeting when Finance Director George Shaw and City Manager A. B. Curry were reappointed. At the same meeting the commission advanced $15,000 to the University of Miami to cover current expenditures.

Meet Albert Harum

Albert E. Harum began his career as a newspaperman while a student under interest of H. V. Kaltenborn, famous news commentator. Kaltenborn, then an editor of the Brooklyn Eagle, recommended Harum in 1928 for a position on the Eagle's night staff. His work soon brought him to the attention of Eagle executives, when a vacancy had to be filled in Flatbush district, most important section covered by the Brooklyn daily. After serving as Flatbush district reporter for two years, he was brought into the office to handle the school news department. Serving two years as school editor, Harum scored several outstanding news scoops at the expense of chagrined school editors of such papers as the New York Times and the Herald-Tribune. He then became editor of a magazine issued by the newspaper. In rapid succession, he was elevated to the position of picture editor and finally assistant city editor. In the latter postion, held until his resignation from the Eagle, he directed a staff of reporters covering the entire metropolitan area of New York City. Combining experience obtained both as a reporter and editor, Harum won the respect of residents of the Suffolk section of Long Island when he served as editor of the Suffolk Daily Island News for two years. Busy as he was, he also found time to launch the Hempstead Times, weekly newspaper, in Hempstead, Long Island, in 1937, and served as editor and publisher of the Times until he left New York. Through these years of activity, Harum has been able to gain a thorough knowledge of every field of newspaper work. His experience has carried him through the fields of news pictures, feature and news writing, editing, advertising, and executive supervision in news and advertising.

Details of Proposed Water System Purchase Explained By Finance Director

By GEORGE N. SHAW (Director of Finance and City Clerk) Freeholder registration books are now open at the City Hall for the registration of persons qualified to vote in the water revenue bond election called for Tuesday, July 15th, 1941. While the books are open only for the registration of freeholders, that is: legal citizens of the City who also own or own an interest in real estate in the City, the registrations now being taken will be transferred to the regular books so that those now registering will be qualified to vote in later general elections. The registration books will be open, except on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays, until Tuesday, July 8, 1941. Hours for registration are 9 a. m. to 5 p. m. through Monday, June 30, 1941, and then from 9 a. m. to 9 p. m. through Tuesday, July 8, 1941. City officials are hopeful that there will be a large registration, and a large and decisive vote, in order that the question may be definitely decided at this time. A small registration and vote might leave the question open and result in another later election upon the same question, doubling the expense to the taxpayers, as has been the case in certain recent Dade County elections. The election will be upon a single question: whether the City shall issue water revenue bonds in the amount of $800,000, bearing interest not to exceed 3 3/4% per annum, for the purpose of financing the acquisition of the water distribution system of the Consumers Water Company, including certain lines of that company running into county areas west and north of the city, and for the purpose of securing a $25,000 working capital fund for the operation of the system. The City now has a contract with Natt T. Wagner, of New York, to take the bonds at an interest rate of 3 1/2% per annum if they can be authorized and delivered before September 20, 1941, but the authorization is being made for "not to exceed 3 3/4%" so that, in the event of failure to deliver under the present contract, the City may proceed with the sale of bonds at auction, with an interest rate possibly slightly higher than 3 1/2%. For the $800,000 of bonds the city will receive all of the physical assets of the system, and $25,000 in cash as an operating fund, so that the operations may be commenced and carried on without drawing upon other funds of the City. The system will be entirely self-supporting, and will not require assistance in the form of taxation or other municipal support either for the operating expenses or for the payment of the interest and principal of the bonds. In fact, the ballot will include the statement: "said bonds to be payable exclusively from the revenues of said system, and the payment of which water revenue bonds shall not directly or indirectly obligate the City to levy or pledge any form of taxation whatever therefor", and the bonds themselves will contain a similar provision. The principal and interest maturities of the water revenue bonds are so scheduled that the annual payments commence at approximately $41,000 per year, and increase gradually to but never exceed $43,000 per year during the entire thirty year period. The studies made by the City show that the system can easily support those payments out of present earnings, without speculative dependance upon future growth to pay the bonds or their interest. The Consumers Water Company's figure for the reproduction cost of the physical properties to be purchased is $918,635. City Manager Curry has studied this inventory, and has eliminated or adjusted certain items, reaching a figure of $789,665. Neither of these figures takes into account "going concern" value, which, in a transaction such as this, would no doubt be a quite large figure. The system proposed to be purchased consists of all of the mains, laterals and connections now serving more than 3,600 customers in Coral Gables, immediately neighboring areas north, west and south of the city. The revenues of the system during 1940 were $134,148.-20, and the estimate of revenue for 1941, on the basis of operation by the City, is $137,715. This estimate is a conservative one and will probably be exceeded. The water supply source will continue to be the plant of the City of Miami, under the contract now in force between the City of Coral Gables the Consumers Water Company and the City of Miami. Using the some statistical basis as in the estimates of $137,715 revenue, the cost of water purchased will be $55,809, and pay roll and other expenses will be $12,180, making total costs of $67,989, leaving $69,196 net from operations. It is estimated, based upon previous experience of the Consumers Water Company, that replacements, extensions and improvements to the system will require approximately $24,000 per year, leaving a margin of $45,196 to cover the principal and interest payments on the water revenue bonds. Even if the City does not grow, the margin is sufficient to provide for the service of the bonds during their entire period. Added income, arising from growth and expansion of the system, will be free for other constructive uses, either for the system or for general municipal purposes. A trust indenture to be executed in connection with the bonds, and administration by a trustee (to be some Florida bank or trust company) will assure that the operation of the system will be kept out of politics, and that the policies of management will be purely businesslike. In short, if the purchase is made, during the next thirty years the system will pay for itself without cost to the taxpayer, and will provide out of its own revenues approximately $720,000 ($24,000 per year) for replacements or extensions, and will also return a profit, small at first but no doubt quite large later on in the period, to the City, to be used for municipal purposes with the effect of replacing or reducing city operating taxes. Present water rates will be maintained under the provi- (Please turn to Page Two)