Coral Gables Riviera

CORAL GABLES RIVIERA

AN INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER Published every Friday by the Miami Riviera Publishing Company, 206 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 E. 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.

Lower Water Rates---Maybe

Now that Coral Gables has voted on the purchase of the city's water system-and by a strange formula voted "yes" but "no"-we might consider the advantages and disadvantages of private operation. It is now reasonably definite that Natt T. Wagner, who was to have purchased the city bonds financing the defeated deal, will be the new owner. Operation of the water company by Mr. Wagner will have no effect on the present franchise in existence between The City of Coral Gables and the Consumers Water Company. Under the agreement, Coral Gables will purchase water from the City of Miami and supply it to Mr. Wagner's mains for distribution to the consumer. A surcharge of 50 per cent of the water bill is collected by Mr. Wagner, acting as agent for Coral Gables and paid by him (still acting as the city's agent) to the City of Miami for the water used. In other words, if your meter reading indicates that you have used $4.00 worth of water during a month's period, a surcharge of $2.00, or 50 per cent, is added to your bill, making the total $6.00. Of this amount, Mr. Wagner, acting as agent for Coral Gables, will pay $2.00 to the City of Miami for the water and pocket the remaining $4.00. Furnishing water to a group of people who must have it, seems to us to be pretty attractive business-but definitely a business. Mr. Wagner, judging from his experience, is a business man. We residents of Coral Gables, therefore, can hope: (1) That Mr. Wagner is not only a business man, but a good one. (2) That Mr. Wagner does not expect to "make a killing" overnight. (3) That Mr. Wagner will study the water company operation and attempt to institute economies and efficiencies. (4) That Mr. Wagner, as a result of this study, these economies and this efficient operation, may be able to reduce rates at some point in the future. While the sale of the system to Mr. Wagner does not preclude another and lower offer to the City at some future date, it would seem that those opponents of the recently defeated deal who advised that we "sit tight and wait" psychology are temporarily stymied.

The Neatest Trick of the Week

The Riviera's story on the Community House controversy last week seems to be unique in the annals of journalism and we hereby nominate it for the New Yorker's "Neatest Trick of the Week" department. It seems, in the opinion of several of our readers, that the story attained the distinction of being biased in two directions. Clifton Benson, the Woman's Club lawyer, tells us that it was purposely slanted to favor the city, while some of the city officials claim that it favored the club too much and didn't give the city's side. To us, criticism coming from both sides seems to prove a point that makes us very happy. We believe that it makes it very clear the story was unbiased and fair to both groups. As far as The Riviera is concerned, we don't care who holds the deed to the community building. We think that it is unfortunate that such a situation has arisen and hope that it can soon be cleared up without further bitterness. Both groups still seem to be having a tug of war while paradoxically pulling in the same direction. Proposals and counter-proposals fly thick and fast, but a solution seems to be still far in the offing. About the only thing that was accomplished at Monday's meeting between the Commission and the club was the fact that the city's position is definitely clarified and its proposals are official resolutions, appearing in black and white on the minute books. This clears up one of the points of the controversy. It is to be hoped that both groups will have smoother sailing from now on. In the meantime, The Riviera shall continue to be "biased in favor of both sides" and hope for the best.

Lease the Golf Course?

The prospect of the City's shearing itself of the responsibility of operating the Granada Golf Course lies in one of two lease offers made for the course within the past two weeks. The prospect should be an attractive one to the City fathers. To be able to sit back, realize that the course will produce an income, and with none of the headaches concomitant with direct operation, presents an attractive picture. While there has been no indication on the part of the City Commissioners that offers for the course will be considered, there seems little doubt that both the propositions of the Country Club's board of directors and of Dud Atkinson, course "pro", merit full study and consideration. On the face of the situation at present the Atkinson proposal seems to be the most attractive with a guaranteed rental of $6,000, as against the Country Club offer of $5,000---if that much is netted from operation. Then, too, under the Country Club provisions the City would be obligated to spend $2,500 for improvements. Atkinson, under the terms of his offer, would maintain the course and machinery without expense to the City. We don't know what "improvements" would be made by the Country Club's board but we do hope that, if their offer is accepted, they won't "improve" the course to the extent that it will be too difficult for just average golfers. There is little doubt in anyone's mind that the Granada course appeals to the vast golfing group who call themselves "just average". It would seem wise on the part of the City to weigh these two offers and accept the best of the two---thus freeing the Coral Gables government from the reins of private enterprise.

THE CORAL GABLES RIVIERA Vox Populi By Jim Moore

A chap from New York who is spending a few week's vacation here, made an observation the other day that, at the time, seemed to be the epitomy of paradoxes. He said that the best way to distinguish us year-rounders from the tourists was by the fact that the temporary visitors always had a greater degree of tan than the residents. The next chance we got, we took a look in a mirror and sure enough, our skin was far from the rugged bronze one would expect to see on a fellow that's spent seven solid years in America's tropics. As a matter of fact, compared with our New York friend, we looked like something that had been cooped up in a cave. We spent the rest of the afternoon making a personal survey of the skin conditions of our fellow Gableites, and with the exception of a few ardent fishermen like Frank Holley, we found that most of them were in the same condition we were. It began to look like we Floridians were deathly afraid of the actinic rays we brag so much about in our tourist literature. Right then and there we appointed ourselves as a committee of one to acquire a deep bronze tan like the boys in the fashion pages of Esquire wear. That afternoon we dug out our golf clubs, which hadn't been used in three years, scraped off the mould and descended upon Dud Atkinson's golf shop with a look of determination and an old "Roddy-Tee". For an hour-and-a-half, under a caddy's scornful gaze, we proceeded to raise some new bunkers and dig some new traps and, at the same time, soak up plenty of Old Sol's vitamins. We returned with nine holes completed, a blistered-up rib and a tingling sensation around our nose and the back of our neck. The next day, unshaken in our purpose, we startled Russ Ellington at the Venetian Pool by showing up with a rag-tag pair of trunks, a torso and a bottle of sun tan oil. For four solid hours we swam, basked, swam, basked ad infinitum. As a net result we chalk up to experience: 4 left hand blisters, 327 sore muscles, 1 lobster pink body. Nevertheless, it was well worth it. We discovered something that our Manhattanite knew all the time. A native can have just as much fun in Coral Gables as a visitor, if he'll only take the time. We've come to the conclusion that too many of us, who earn our daily bread here, have the idea that the pleasures we offer are meant for our visitors and that we don't have the time to indulge in them. We take up our 24 hours with eating, sleeping and business. We content ourselves with a pair pea green car guests from the North turn into counterparts of Golden Boy. Think what a lot of fun it would be if everybody, when they knocked off at 5 p. m., drove over to the Venetian Pool for a refreshing dip before dinner. We tried it, and it's the best cocktail that ever whetted an appetite. We've really got plenty of time to have fun and get a tan if we just stop long enough to realize it. Add up the hours in any week when you were wondering what to do with yourself and there's the answer. We're all for forming a new organization, "The Society for Acquiring Golden Bronze Tans for Natives," and picking up and the paradoxical wisecracks made by the outlanders. The only requirements for membership are a determination to have fun and a bottle of sun-tan oil. Come around in a couple of weeks and we'll match tans with anybody-including tourists!

Recreational Problem

The problem of public recreation is always an eminent one, and in Coral Gables there is no exception. Fortunately the citizenry is cognizant of the fact and as a consequence the facilities here have always been equalled by other communities of the same size. Several recent developments bring home the point that Coral Gables is keeping pace with its growth, by adding new forms of recreation for both residents and visitors. A downtown recreational center, which has been advocated by civic clubs for the past several years, is about to come into being on the property to the rear of the American Legion Home. The city will install shuffleboard and horseshoe courts while the Legion will furnish the equipment and also provide ping pong, checker and chess tables. Competion of the park is expected by the early fall and by the time the season arrives, it will probably be a very popular place. The prospect of additional parks for children also seems bright with the recent announcement by Mayor Joe Whitney that the city is studying the possibility of confiscating sites throughout the residential district on which taxes have become delinquent. Neighborhood parks, which will keep children off the streets are much needed and the city's idea of converting "dead wood" on the tax rolls into community assets seems worthwhile developing. The WPA sponsored Coral Gables Art Center is also doing its share of the city's recreational work by providing free modeling classes for children during the summer months. The classes are very popular, with new students applying weekly. Solving the problem of what to do with the children during vacation periods has always been a difficult one, but this seems to be an admirable way of disposing of it.

I DON'T CARE WHO OWNS THE PIPES AS LONG AS MY WATER DOESN'T COST ANY MORE CONSUMER JIM MOORE

In Our Mail - OUR READERS' OPINIONS

Editor, The Riviera: After reading the article on "How to Get Sleep in Hot Weather," I got all the paraphernalia you suggested and tried it out the other night. It worked swell, but with all the fussing around with witch hazel pads and the like, I forgot to set my alarm clock. Consequently, I was late for work the next morning. Next time include a warning, will you? L. C. S. Editor, The Riviera: I'm glad to see your paper take the initiative in a campaign to compel our local branch post office to cancel our outgoing mail with a "Coral Gables, Fla." rubber stamp instead of allowing some it to go out with Miami all over the envelope. We in Coral Gables are proud of our city and there's no good reason why every one in the United States shouldn't see the name of our city as often as possible. You shouldn't have much of a job getting the support of Postmaster Merrick, since he founded Coral Gables, and has as much if not more of an interest in our town than any one here. Keep trying. A. J. B.

The Clipper Crowd NEWS OF THE ACTIVITIES OF THE PERSONNEL OF PAN-AMERICAN AIRWAYS By Nancy Humphreys

Honeymooning are Mr. and Mrs. Willard Tull, whose wedding was an event of last evening in the rectory of St. Peter and Paul's Church. After the eight o'clock wedding, a reception was held at 1844 S. W. 23rd St. Miss Betty Frances Hanas was maid of honor and John E. Tull, brother of the groom, best man. Mr. Tull is the son of John R. Tull, one of Pan American's "old-timers". Following their return from Silver Springs, Fla., the Tulls will be at home at 413 N. 15th Street, Cambridge Lawns. * * * Pan American has lost another good man to the Navy. A. J. Tigert, formerly of Engineering, left Miami the middle of the week to report to the Bureau of Aeronautics in Washington, D. C. for active duty. He is an ensign in the U. S. Naval Reserve. Meanwhile, Mrs. Tigert and young J. J. have remained behind at 2358 S. W. 19th Terrace. Mrs. Tigert's mother is coming down to visit with her until the head of the house knows where he is to be stationed. * * * 'Tis said that a beautiful and very popular brunette in Dinner Key Radio is planning a merger with a junior pilot. The young lady raves about her "Johnny" night and day. * * * When Mrs. E. N. Parker of 3755 Solano Road, Coconut Grove, departed last Saturday (slightly before the crack of dawn!) she was surrounded-so we hear-with everything from love-birds and Patsy, the dog, to Mrs. Ed Henning and her young son, Ed, Jr.-not to mention enough luggage to last anywhere from a couple of months to all summer. And all of this departed in one car! When we saw Mrs. Parker's lonesome spouse in the City Traffic office Monday he reported that he had just calmed down the last remaining goldfish; and that things were fairly quiet in the old homestead. (This isn't a bit screwier than the way the story was told to me!) Mrs. Parker plans to visit friends and relatives in Atlanta, Georgia. * * * Among the cabana colony at the Roney Plaza Hotel are Mr. and Mrs. Phil Siefert, of 512 Sevilla Avenue, Coral Gables. * * * The "dream house" which George Merrick built at 852 S. Greenway Drive, Coral Gables, was the setting of the cocktail and swimming party which Mr. and Mrs. Fred Stoddard gave last Saturday afternoon. (Incidentally, this is now their residence.) Among the guests were Mr. and Mrs. Lou Woodward, Mr. and Mrs. John Ector, Mr. and Mrs. Mike Henry, Miss Sarah Moorehead and Mrs. Edward Tars. * * * Over at 2715 Toledo Street, Coral Gables, John Evans and his missus are bemoaning the wandering ways of their Springer Spaniel pup, who departed a week hence and has not been heard from since. The pup is only nine months old, has liver and white markings. A not-too-unreasonable reward could be dug up for its safe return. * * * The Evans pooh isn't the only wanderer, as the Mike Henrys of 2955 Ruth Street, Coconut Grove, can tell you. Their seven-month-old Irish wire-haired terrier has been among the missing for the past fortnight. * * * The story goes that one of the white-collar workers at Municipal Airport is having a little difficulty with Draft Board No. 2. It seems the young man in question inadvertently left American soil without notifying his draft board. Of course, his intentions were perfectly honorable-but it just happened that during his brief absence his draft board wanted to get in touch with him. . . So it looks as if he'll be in the Army before long! * * * When Edwin Farnham, assistant to the Division Engineer, departed for St. Louis by bus he didn't waste any time in getting there. He left Miami at 6:30 on Friday evening, arriving in St. Louis Sunday morning at 11:30-which, by bus, is stepping right along. There he met Mrs. Farnham and young Andrew, who were visiting Mrs. Farnham's people, Mr. and Mrs. William H. Tiffin. The family took a leisurely week to drive home, stopping at West Baden Springs, Indiana, Gatlinburg, Tenn., and Savannah, Ga. Papa Farnham reports that the main diversion on the trip was keeping eleven-month-old "Andy" fed-and subdued. * * * A new addition to the A. D. P. offices on the 17th floor of the Du Pont building is Miss Juanita (Bunny) Boles, who was formerly a teletype operator in the Avian Building. * * * Mr. and Mrs. Ray Bourret are very busy these days selecting the furniture for their new (Please turn to page 7)

This Week In Defense

WAR DEPARTMENT - The War Department asked Congress for legislation to retain the National Guard, Reserves and Selectees for the duration of the emergency. President Roosevelt told his press conference that unless Congress acts the Army faces serious disintegration. The President said no violation of contract or faith would be entailed in such extension of service, because the Selective Service Act had provided for such extension of service by Congress in the event of a national emergency. The War Department announced initial deliveries of the A-24, a new dive bomber that can outperform those used by other nations. The Department said rifles and sub-machine guns are now being produced at a daily rate of 1,500, compared with 289 one year ago. Under Secretary Patterson issued a statement of Army progress showing expenditures increased six-fold in the past fiscal year. LEND-LEASE AID - President Roosevelt sent Lend-Lease Administrator Hopkins to London for a new survey of British needs, and designated two Army generals to speed the flow of munitions and food to Britain. The Surplus Marketing Administration purchased 30,000,000 pounds of tobacco, 2,544,000 bushels of corn and 75,000 bales of cotton for shipment abroad under the Lend-Lease program. CIVILIAN SUPPLY - The OPACS announced a program to give preference over other civilian needs to repair and maintenance parts for privately-owned automobiles, trucks, trailers, tractors, household refrigerators, stoves, ranges and water heaters, plumbing fixtures, and furnaces, hospital equipment, surgical instruments and eye-glass frames and parts. SHIPS-The Maritime Commission said expansion of the merchant ship-building program requested from the Congress would provide 566 new ships by the end of 1943. Although only one of the 312 emergency cargo ships was scheduled for delivery this year, at least 10 will be in operation by December 31, the Commission said. The fastest ship construction during the last was was seven months and the 1918-1922 average was 10 to 12, but it now hopes to reduce the time to 41⁄2 to 5 months with two ships completed every day in 1943. The Maritime Commission took title to 16 more Danish vessels and to four Italian vessels under provisions of the Ship Requisitioning Act and the Board of Canal moved 15 other Italian ships and one German ship to be put into service as soon as sabotage damage is repaired. President Roosevelt signed legislation giving him power to grant defense materials priority in merchant shipping space and loading facilities. ALUMIUM COLLECTION - OPM Conservation Chief McConnell announced housewives' donations of used aluminum ware during the collection campaign July 21-29 should permit construction of more than 2,000 additional fighting planes. He said tests indicated a minimum of 20,000,000 net pounds usable in defense manufacture will be collected in the national campaign. Civilian Defense Director LaGuardia said State Procurement offices of the Treasury Department will direct shipment of collected material from concentration points in each (Please turn to page 7)

This One's on You

NEWSY NOTE-We've become more or less accustomed to the caucous "Waxtree-Read all About It" cry of the newsboy. It was refreshing therefore to hear a middle-aged newsy hawking his wares the other day by yelling in modulated tones, "The world's most rugged individualist makes another advance into Russia-" CUPID'S HELPER-Carlock Hawk, pastor of the Methodist Church, informs us that there is a boom on in the marriage business. He tied the knot for four couples during the week of July 4 and married another pair the following week. HENGLISH HUMOR-Norman C. K. Dibble, commander of the United Kingdom Cadets at the University, tells this one on three of his R. A. F. buddies: Seems as though the three were waiting for a train at the London terminal and dropped into a bar until departure time. One drink led to an- Don't waste time telling stories on your friends to your friends, with the whole circulation of The Riviera waiting eagerly to join in the laugh. Mail those pithy paragraphs, those anecdotes, those cute stories about your neighbor's children to The Riviera right away. We'll print them with due credit to you or we'll cloak your identity in qualify if you so desire. Just don't tell us any fibs. other until they suddenly rushed out to see the train pulling out. Running madly, two of them made it while the other stood on the platform laughing. Queried by the station master as to why missing the train caused him so much mirth, he explained, "Those two chaps came down to see me off". HOBNOBBING-Joe Pohnl, Gableite vacationing in Hollywood, was busy taking pictures of cinema stars' homes. Standing in front of Edward G. Robinson's magnificent memage, Joe noticed some men having trouble with a concrete mixer. Handy man that he is (plug) Joe put down his camera, got concrete mixer going again. Reward: a picture of Edward G. Robinson. BORN AND BRED-Tommy Hand was indignant. A customer had just complained that Signor Hand did not know how to make a pro- per mint julep. "Listen", shouted Hand in his best "New Joisey" accent that is practically his trade mark, "You talkin' to me like that-me who wuz born and bred in old Kentucky!" HUT SCHMITZ SONG-Karl Schmitz, manager of the Country Club, has at last come into his own. Harry Reser's band has immortalized him with a song that is becoming quite popular at the Gables rendezvous. The words are tricky, dealing with the problems a Country Club manager must meet and each verse ends with the title line, "Oh Karl-Where's Mr. Schmitz?" SALTY STORY-John Halifax will probably have a salty taste in his mouth for several weeks to come. Fishing in the Gulf last weekend, John was alone in the boat doing a little trolling. He became so interested in fishing that he ran aground on a sand bar. Putting the motor in reverse and turning the throttle wide open, John went overboard. Realizing that he was, by a precaution, he tied a rope around his wrist and fastened the other end to a stanchion aboard. A little rocking and the boat came free and headed out to sea, dragging John after it, full speed astern. He finally managed to drag himself aboard, but only after swallowing several gallons of the gulf's choicest sea water. WE'RE WONDERING-Could it this be significant: There's a sign on the seventh floor door of the Dade County Court House in Miami which reads "Marriage License-Hunting Licenses". DOODADS-Now that we've played a few rounds of golf, after a five year layoff, we've gained new respect for our golfing friends. Also, we've learned not to look with too much horror at those golf bugs who rig up contraptions to keep their heads from following the course of the ball. We're particularly thinking, now, of the man who developed the elastic device, one end of which he placed under his heel and the other end of which he draped around his fore head. Then, we're thinking, too, of the other golfer who did the same thing with a string on one end of which was tied a button which the player put between his teeth. Everything worked fine until the golfer began picking up stray teeth (his own) from the course.