Coral Gables Riviera

Friday, July 11, 1941, page 6 (of 8)

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CORAL GABLES RIVIERA

AN INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER Published every Friday by the Miami Riviera Publishing Company, 306 Coral Way, Coral Gables, Florida Established January, 1926 Combined with the Dade County and Coconut Grove Times, 1929. ALBERT E. HARUM President and Publisher JAMES B. MOORE Managing Editor Mailing Address, P. O. Box 704 Telephone 4-1634 SUBSCRIPTION RATES One Year by Carrier, Coral Gables and immediate vicinity.. $2.00 Six months $1.25 One Year by Mail $3.00 Entered as second class matter May 21, 1926, at the Postoffice at Miami, Florida, under Act of March 3, 1879.

Make the Vote Decisive

The question of whether or not the City of Coral Gables should purchase the water distribution system warrants the serious thought of every tax payer. On July 15th property owners will record their wishes in this very important matter—and regardless of whether you vote Aye or Nay YOUR desire should be reflected in the total vote cast. The voters will be called upon to decide whether or not the City shall purchase the system from the Consumers Water Company and operate it as a municipal enterprise. Under the proposal a cash operating fund of $25 000 would accompany the water system and the city would issue bonds to the extent of $800,000, self-liquidating, to pay for the system. Everyone eligible to vote should vote—so that the decision at the polls will be clear and decisive. A small vote, City Clerk George N. Shaw points out, might leave the question sufficiently unsettled to require another election at a later date—with the consequent additional expense to the City. Those who favor the purchase argue the following points: 1. It has a value of $805,000—plus "benefits accruing to the people of Coral Gables by reason of this purchase". 2. Under the purchase "all benefits now accruing to the Consumers Water Company would pass to the City of Coral Gables". 3. "The fact that the purchase will be self-liquidating is assurance to the taxpayers that it will cost them no more money". 4. The present factor of hydrant rental would be eliminated, resulting in financial gain to the City. 5. An eventual profit in operation will result in reduction of taxes to property owners. The opponents of the water purchase make the following points in their argument: 1. The water system is "too old", not "suited to the present development of the City". 2. The price—$800,000—is "not a satisfactory one". 3. Over 35 per cent of the present system is galvanized pipe that deteriorates rather quickly and will soon need replacement. 4. If we "sit tight" we'll get the system "at our own price". 5. There'll be no rate reduction "for years and years" under the purchase plan.

Opinions---Yours and Ours

The Riviera is attempting to keep separate and distinct from the part of the paper its editorial page. We are segregating this portion of the paper for these reasons: We want the expressions of those whose opinions, whether in editorial, letter or columnar form, are printed thereon to be entirely uninfluenced by any advertising; we want to make perfectly clear to our readers that the editorial page is an opinion page, and that, therefore, it should be different in layout and typographical aspect from the balance of the paper. Until we are able to develop a full page along these lines we are employing the use of a heavy ruling as a line of demarcation between the editorials and the opinions of columnists and readers and such other division of the paper we may place on the other side of the ruling. We want our readers to be interested in the editorial page, to make suggestions with respect to the type of materials they would like to see on it. We hope, too, that Gables citizens will feel free to express themselves in our mail column on the editorial page. Many good ideas on civic and political matters are in the minds of newspaper readers. Put yours on paper and send them to us.

Easing the Mind

IT's pleasant to read a newspaper that reports no murders, no suicides, no thefts, no vandalism. And in this respect the newspaper clearly is created by the community. Because Coral Gables is a pleasant place to live; because crimes of any nature are not given a foothold; because there is little sickness—the newspaper has only pleasant things to tell. So Coral Gables makes The Riviera. There are those who might say that this is not entirely true—that there are things happening and printed which might be termed unpleasant. Well, that calls for a pretty sharp definition of the term unpleasant. Some may think that news of disagreement and argument over civic and political affairs is unpleasant. We think that like that are an indication of good health. It would be a sad, if not almost impossible, situation if everything were agreeable to everyone and if no one felt he could exercise his prerogative to voice his opinion. No, argument is good for the soul and certainly doesn't make for unpleasantness.

Aluminum For Defense

Mayor Joe Whitley has proclaimed the week beginning July 21 as "Coral Gables Alumnium Week." There is small need to point out the importance to our National Defense Program of this one-week campaign in the Gables. Certainly no housewife here need be told about the important role aluminum plays in the construction of airplanes and other lighter-than-air craft. There must be dozens of aluminum articles around the house—articles perhaps just a little too good to throw on the junk heap, but not too good to contribute to such a cause as the defense of our homeland. Bring these articles down to the aluminum repository next to the American Legion Building, Alhambra Circle and Salzedo Street, during Coral Gables Aluminum Week. Let's make the Gables' role in this campaign a large and important one.

HEALTHY, WEALTHY and WISE!

SLEEP THAT IS DISTURBED BY WORRY OR INDIGESTION IS ONLY PARTIAL, AND THE EXPENDITURE OF ENERGY CAUSED BY BAD DREAMS MAY EQUAL THAT CAUSED BY WALKING OR OTHER MODERATE EXERCISES. IT IS DANGEROUS TO WEAR TIGHT COLLARS BECAUSE THEY RETARD THE NORMAL BLOOD CIRCULATION. FAST EATING IS ONE OF THE MOST FAULTY FOOD HABITS! WASHING FOOD DOWN IS IN FACT NOT EATING, AS THE FOOD DOES NOT HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE DIGESTION. ALL MENTAL WORK SHOULD BE DISCONTINUED 10 OR 15 MINUTES BEFORE RETIRING, IN ORDER THAT THE BLOOD MAY LEAVE THE BRAIN, AND THE MIND MAY BE FREE OF PROBLEMS THAT WILL DISTURB SLEEP.

Our Town

By JIM MOORE Almost every newspaper reader knows that the press is often referred to as "The Fourth Estate," but we wonder how many know who compose, what is coming to be termed, "The Fifth Estate." Into this group fall the people whose duty it is to get things into the newspapers. The titles of the group range from the very dignified "public relations counsel" to the name given them by all newspapermen—"press agents." The press agents are divided into two main classes—the professionals and the amateurs. In the first group are the high-pressure boys such as Carl Byoir and Steve Hannagan, who are paid fabulous salaries to get their clients mentioned and pictured in the public print, and also the flipper of smaller groups who make as little as $10 and $15 a week. Day after day, the grist from the press agents' typewriters pours onto the editor's desk. We kept track of it one week, and found that by just pasting the copy and illustrations( in mat form ready to print) back on the composing room, we could have published a 24-page paper without writing a single word ourselves. Some of the stuff that is sent in by these writers does fall into the legitimate news class but approximately 99 per cent of it goes from the mailing envelope directly in the waste basket, because when analyzed it shows up to be the purest form of advertising. Newspapers sell that space. But in the latter class comes the most legitimate news, and confines his releases to just that, so that we usually find that he is highly successful in getting his copy into print. The others evidently go by the law of averages, and consider themselves fortunate if three words out of every 10,000 written are used by some editor. Added to the legitimate group recently were scores of military press agents, who keep the local folks informed about the activities of the boys in the various branches of the service. Often times when you read about a Coral Gables selectee being transferred from Camp Blanding to some other training base, the news was sent to The Riviera by an army press agent. Many newspapermen, inducted into the army by the draft, have been given such jobs because they are newspapermen, they recognize news when they see it—and their stories are used. Second Division Then there is the second division of the "Fifth Estate"—the amateurs. Practically every club and organization in Coral Gables has a "publicity chairman" who sees that news about his or her particular group is conveyed to the press. In this group, like the other group, there are the "good ones" and the "not-so-good ones". The "experts" get their copy in on time—neatly typed and many times in good newspaper style. The others call up two minutes after deadline or bring in their stories hurriedly written in long-hand that is difficult to read. Many times first names are omitted and the editor has to spend precious minutes on the phone getting the additional information. Newspaper squads depend a lot on their publicity chairmen to keep up with the activities of the various organizations in their towns. Take Coral Gables, for example. It would be impossible for The Riviera to send a reporter to every meeting held during a week's time. Therefore, the reports of these meetings are welcomed by The Riviera and we are always glad to see the publicity chairmen come into the office. It stands to reason, however, that the ones who bring in the best copy will get the most space and that unintelligible notes may have to be cut down to two and three lines of type. It's not difficult to produce good copy if a few simple rules are remembered. In an effort to aid our "unofficial correspondents" we call their attention to a few of the more important ones: 1. Be sure its news. If its about a person or group in the Gables indulging in some activity, it's pretty sure to fall in that category. If it tells of something from which the subject will derive financial gain (not charitable enterprises) it belongs in the advertising columns. 2. Be sure it's timely. Do not expect the editor to print a story that happened a month ago. 3. Be sure it's on time. The earlier the better and by all means no later than Thursday noon. 4. Be sure it's complete. Check your story to see if it answers the questions "Who?", "What?", "Why?", "When?" and "Where?" and that both FIRST and last names are included. 5. Present your story neatly. Editors prefer to receive copy typed double-space on a regulation 8 1/2x11 sheet. If these rules are followed, you're pretty sure to find your story in print when the paper is published. Furthermore you will find the editor ready with a warm welcome on your next trip to the office.

In Our Mail

Editor, The Riviera: In the July 4th edition, you state in substance that the legality of the city's university appropriation has never been tested in court. The inference is that the legality is open to dispute, despite the statutory authority in the explicit language of the charter. Both are in error. In 1932 a taxpayers' suit was filed in the name of Vivian Edwards, to enjoin the appropriation as unconstitutional. The case was heard before Judge Atkinson, who held the city was within its legal rights in making the appropriation, and dismissed the bill for want of equity. This constituted a final and binding determination, forever settling the question of the legality as to all taxpayers, present and future. VINCENT D. WYMAN 3621 Monserrate Street Editor, The Riviera: Some day some photog is going to snap a picture of our beauteous younger set going to dances with a Flit gun clutched in one hand and mosquito bite balm in the other, and won't THAT be swell publicity for beautiful Coral Gables! Well, we always said the younger generation couldn't take it, anyhow. OLD TIMER Editor, The Riviera: I'm glad to see some opposition developing on the water system proposition; not because I'm against it but because the opposition will make clear all the possible objections. It's a good thing to have a full discussion in a newspaper of all sides of a question before the people have to go down to City Hall and vote on it. I think more people should air their views on the subject. You hear all kinds of rumors about how the city will get the

OUR READERS' OPINIONS

water system after the franchise expires anyway, which isn't true; and you hear other rumors about how the water company has a much lower offer from somebody else they're going to accept if the city does not buy it, which may be true. Anyway I think everybody who is allowed to vote should go down to City Hall on Tuesday and vote so that we know that the vote really means something.—J.R.D.

This Week in Defense

PRESIDENT'S OPINION — President Roosevelt told his press conference he still hopes the United States can stay out of the world conflict. His statement was made in answer to a reporter's question if changing international situations had caused the President to alter his belief, stated in 1939, that the United States could and would stay out of the war. Navy Secretary Knox told his press conference reports that navy vessels were engaged in convoy duty were "absoletely untrue," and said reports that the navy had lost lives, material and equipment or had been involved in any encounter with beligerent craft were "most decidedly" not true. GERMAN LOSSES — He issued a statement urging greater defense efforts and said "nothing could be further from the truth" than that Russia's entry into the war had averted danger to this country. Mr. Knox said "we are in somewhat better shape than we were last summer, but we need the spark of enthusiasm—yes, of patriotism—to carry the program forward faster". AID TO RUSSIA, FRANCE, CHINA — Acting Secretary of State Welles announced Russian requests to buy strategic materials had been received and brought to the attention of the proper Government officials. Mr. Welles also said the United States has under consideration a plan to export restrict restrictions on Russian commerce to (Please turn to Page Eight)

This ONE'S on You

NUPTIAL EXASPERATION Last Sunday morning everything was lovely out at Judge O. B. Sutton's home at 513 San Esteban, The Judge, enjoying a respite from such things as marrying people and his other legal affairs, was working industriously in his garden. Not expecting callers, he had neither shaved nor donned his going out clothes. Imagine his consternation, then, when the telephone rang and summoned him from his gardening activity. A husky, tremulous voice at the other end of the wire asked if the Judge would perform a marriage ceremony. The Judge would. Then into the shower, a quick shave and some more fitting clothes. Then came the couple—both bride and groom in their working clothes, and the groom in the same unshaven state the Judge had enjoyed just 20 minutes earlier. HOT PUPPIES—Perhaps this would be a better paragraph for a "Tell Meep" department, but Willard Ware, according to an item in the Kiwanis Bulletin, claims he held pace in Willard was in Louisiana last week and states that is was so hot that a dog chased a cat—and both of them walked! RIP VAN WINKLE—Feeling a bit drowsy after dinner the other evening, Mrs. A. Darby Thomas felt that a cat nap would not be amiss. Awaking from her "forty winks" greatly refreshed she decided to call up some friends to arrange something for the evening. Imagine her surprise when she was very sleepily informed that it was 2 o'clock in the morning and that she had overslept. OBJECT LESSON—The younger generation is often a puzzle to us and, consequently, we are ever alert to learn new ways to bring home forcibly some point or other. And so we were quite impressed, the other day, to hear this exchange between Frank Smith and his son, Johnnie: Johnnie: Hey, pop, how about some money? Pop: Okay (reaching into his pocket). I have five nickels right here. Now, let me see, I found your baseball mitt in (throwing one of the nickels in that corner). I found your bathing suit under the tub (throwing one of the nickels under the tub). Pop (continuing): And—I found your cap in the kitchen (throwing one nickel into the kitchen). You left your shirt in the hall and your baseball mitt in the backyard (throwing the remaining nickels in both those places). That's what we call an object lesson. In an interview with Johnnie a little later we learned that he had not as yet mapped his rebtribution. HER TODAY, GONE TOMORROW—Our own Helen Reynolds tells the story about the local Rotarian who attended the Denver convention recently. En route there he sent a telegram home to his wife: "Having a fine time, wish you were here." But the telegraph company fixed things beautifully. When friend wife got the wire, it read thusly: "Having a fine time, wish you were her." OUR NEW COLUMN is going to be very dull unless we hear from our customers from time to time. This being only the second week for the column, we were therefore obejeyous to hear from our "first", who signs herself "Janet". In a week filled with more or less depressing rain, Janet relates this bit of philosophy from Pittacus, Greek scribe of long ago: "Every one of you has his particular plague. My wife is mine and he is very happy who has this only." We certainly hope the wives in the Gables aren't going to let old Pittacus get away with that!

Scanning the Screen

Fred MacMurray and Madeline Carroll are co-starred again in "One Night in Lisbon," which will be shown Saturday, Sunday and Monday at the Gables Theatre. Charlie Chaplin, Henry Daniell and Jack Oakie play important roles in Chaplin's "The Great Dictator" which is scheduled for a screening soon at the Grove Theatre.

GROVE Theatre

WOMETCO - BEST ENTERTAINMENT GROVE Theatre COCONUT GROVE 20 Cents MATINEE Saturday-Sunday 1:45 Phone 4-4929 FREE SMOKING LOGE 30 Cents EVENINGS (Inc. Tax) 6:45 Sunday-Monday July 13-14 "They Dare Not Love" A Stirring, Timely Story of Modern Europe Starring Martha Scott and George Brent Friday-Saturday July 11-12 "MUTINY IN THE ARCTIC" ANDY DEVINE RICHARD ARLEN Mickey Mouse Show Saturday, 2 P. M. FREE CANDY Tuesday-Wednesday, July 15-16 I've got to get something on Boss Maloney! Maybe I've got what it takes! A blonde explodes a political bombshell! THE BIG BOSS with Otto Kruger - Gloria Dickson A COLUMBIA PICTURE

GABLES THEATRE

Air Conditioned GABLES THEATRE Phone 4-1221 25c MATINEE TAX INCLUDED 35c EVENINGS Smoking Loge - No Extra Charge Open Daily 2 P. M. SATURDAY-SUNDAY-MONDAY JULY 12, 13, 14 COWBOY KISSBLITZES LOVELY LONDONER! Paramount presents FRED MACMURRAY - MADELEINE CARROLL IN "ONE NIGHT IN LISBON" with Patricia Morison - Billie Burke John Loder - Dame May Whitty Edmund Gwenn - Reginald Denny, Billy Gilbert Produced and Directed by EDWARD H. GRIFFITH Tues.-Wed. July 15, 16 IDA LUPINO JOHN GARFIELD "Out of the Fog" THOMAS MITCHELL Thurs.-Fri. July 17-18 ANN SHIRLEY in "The West Point Widow" RICHARD ARLEN STARTS SAT. JULY 19th "CAUGHT IN THE DRAFT"