Coral Gables Historical Archive
Coral Gables Riviera
Friday, August 8, 1941, page 4 (of 6)
The page
The text of this pageRead by computer from the scan, so some words may be wrong. The page picture is the original.
Coral Gables RIVIERA
AN INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER Published every Friday by the Miami Riviera Publishing Co., 306 Coral Way, Coral Gables, Fla. 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 Member, Florida Press Association National Editorial Association SUBSCRIPTION RATES One Year by Carrier, Coral Gables and Ingraham 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.
Solid Building---Not Boom
Unless the defense program interferes, Coral Gables again is headed for another million-and-a-half building year, with the great majority of the construction being for new homes. Already, during the first seven months of 1941, the building permit total has soared to $881,238, which Building Inspector L. W. Robinson, Jr., tells us is the highest seven-month total since the halcyon boom days. Far from the hysterical construction of the Florida bubble days is Coral Gables' building program today. The average home today is being built to live in, not for sale and resale. People are building residences mainly because they plan to spend the rest of their lives in Coral Gables, not because they hope to sell them tomorrow at a large profit. Visitors often express amazement that a town of 8,500 people chalks up a building figure that annually tops the million-dollar mark. Many of them arrive at the conclusion that Coral Gables is experiencing another boom. But we in Florida do not like the word "boom" and prefer to say that Coral Gables is merely building solidly for the future. "Boom" does not describe the type of construction extant in our community today.
Community Parties
Another community party is set for August 20th at the Venetian Pool---with the fervor and enthusiasm of the last community affair still glowing. If anyone needs to be sold on this impending social event, he must only inquire of one who attended the get-together held at the Coral Gables Country Club. There is a genuine provincial atmosphere which hovers about our neighborly gatherings. It is an air which makes you glad to be part of Coral Gables community life; glad to know that the celebrants are your business associates, your friends, your neighbors. We certainly hope that periodic social gatherings of our citizenry will be on the all-year-'round calendar, for they foster so many of the good things one looks for in life.
Accidents Still a Problem
Several inferences can be drawn from the report issued last week by Captain Lou Reeves of the Police Department. Firstly, we come to the comfortable conclusion that Coral Gables has a pretty efficient Police Department. Recovering $20,083.50 of $22,429.05 worth of reportedly stolen goods is a good record. It shows that the Police Department is on its toes. Not so good, however, is the fact that in 1940 the amount of stolen goods totaled only $13,608.40. It indicates that burglars were more active in Coral Gables this year. On the other hand, with most of this year's loot already returned to owners, would-be thieves should be pretty much discouraged and will probably seek other pastures this year. Police have already increased their vigilance and are ready for any housebreakers. The accident picture is not so bright. This year 209 were recorded, as compared with 166 last year. Forty-six people were injured, against 27, and four were killed, as compared with one. A portion of this figure can be offset by the fact that the town is growing, but not nearly all of it. Increased traffic need not mean increased accidents of the motorists will exercise due care. This accident problem is a serious one, and it can be solved only if every Coral Gables motorist will co-operate.
End Miami's Vice
There is no small degree of satisfaction in the clamor by the City of Miami for gubernatorial intervention to put an end to vice and gambling down there. Largely the satisfaction arises from the fact that we in Coral Gables have no worries or even the slightest concern about vice and gambling. This is probably a selfish slant to take on a neighborly trouble, but our sympathy for Miami in its present dilemma is none the less sincere. We join with the Gables' Mayor Joe Whitley in his request that the Governor do everything in his power to put an end to these offensive conditions---so that ultimately Miami may boast of the same cleanliness and wholesomeness of which we in Coral Gables are proud.
Aluminum and Defense
Coral Gables responded nicely in the recent drive, headed by Mrs. Joe Whitley, to accumulate aluminum for our Defense Program. Many housewives showed their patriotism by ferreting out aluminum pots and pans and almost filled the truck body back of the American Legion Hall. A word of commendation, too, is due the Boy Scouts in the Gables, who canvassed street after street in search for aluminum. But don't think the need for this metal has lessened. The depository will still be available for contributions of aluminum---whether you run across them this week or next; this month or next. Be alert for aluminum!
Healthy, Wealthy and Wise
IT IS DANGEROUS TO OVER OR UNDER EAT... Copyright Lincoln Newspaper Features, Inc. A RECENT SURVEY CLEARLY SHOWS THAT THE CHANCE OF GROWING UP WELL AND STRONG IS GREATER FOR THOSE BORN IN POORER CIRCUMSTANCES THAN FOR CHILDREN OF THE RICH.. IT IS NEVER SAFE TO NEGLECT TO TAKE DAILY REST PERIOD, NO MATTER HOW BRIEF- IT IS INDISPENSABLE TO GOOD HEALTH.. VACATION IS GOOD FOR EVERYONE.. DO SOMETHING ENTIRELY DIFFERENT FROM WHAT YOU DO THE REST OF THE YEAR...
Off the Record
by Jim Moore Some day I'm cheerfully gonna slay the bloke who says to me: "Now this would make a socko yarn, But it's off the record, see!" No fooling, the devil must have had it in for newspaper reporters and concocted that "Off the record" phrase to give us a pre-view of some of the more ingenious tortures he has in store for us at his Hades-on-the-Styx villa. Many have been the news writers who have longingly contemplated Hari-Kari because some guy put the kibosh on a sizzling story with a genial, "Well, here's the dope, but it's strictly off the record." To the man who deals with reporters constantly "Off the record" is something like base in a game of tag. Just like a kid knows that you can't tag him while he's safely on base, this fellow knows that by prefacing his remarks with the aforementioned phrase he can usually keep them out of print. Conscientious newspapermen regard something told them in confidence as sacred territory, not to be invaded without the express permission of their informers. Of course, if the same information comes to them from an additional source without the "Off the record" tag on it, they are at liberty to go ahead and use it. Often a friend of a reporter will give him a tip, "off the record," but with the permission to try to dig up the yarn from some other source. Others are a reporter's friends who will talk by way of explanation, with permission to use it later when the story is ready to break. When used this way, the average newspaperman doesn't mind so much, as long as the story doesn't break in some other paper. He realizes that his confidant isn't at liberty to release the information for publication at present, but that he will be given the "break" as soon as it is possible. The trouble is, many men in public life have fallen into the habit of prefacing almost every remark to a reporter with, "Now, this is off the record." Some of them will hardly comment on the weather without first tagging on the old taboo. Some real estate men are particularly guilty along this line. They love to tell us how many "big deals" they have on the fire, but they're always "off the record." They usually explain this by saying that if the let out before the deal is actually closed, that some other agent might jump in and grab off the client. Of course, you can't blame them for protecting themselves, but it sure is aggravating. For example, we had breakfast with a real estate agent the other morning. Between bites of bacon and eggs he was full of newsy chatter. But, boy, oh, boy, was he careful to keep it "off the record." We learned that the owner of several grocery stores in the area is considering erecting one on the island on Ponce de Leon Boulevard, just south of Coral Way, but we can't tell you who. We also heard that a restaurant might also be built on the other half of the same property. But we must omit the name of the prospective builder. Several other pending deals in the business district were also whispered, but no facts at all about these must slip through our typewriter. Of course, we've now promised the first break on all of them---but we've got our fingers crossed. A city official told us of an important move on the part of the town toward an improvement he's making it, but he's also hugging base for the time being. In cases we've been informed during the course of a public meeting that some of the record business discussed was "off the well-known record." Of course, this doesn't count---because actions in public meetings are public property, just like matters of public record, and the reporter has a perfect right to print them. A couple of weeks ago we were asked to disregard entirely the fact that a certain conference was held. Such a request was out of the question and the story was printed. At the time, the person who made the request was hopping mad, but we hope he's seen the light by now. Maybe if we're extra good, watch our typos and don't split too many infinitives, we'll miss that place Beelzebub has prepared for us and we'll wind up in a place where nobody has ever heard of "Off the Record" and every story will be an exclusive, page one, banner head yarn. But then, the zest might be gone. You see, we're a funny lot. We raise particular hades about such matters, but lots of times we actually enjoy circumventing the hush-hush lads and digging up the story from another and printable source. Of course, you understand that last paragraph is strictly "Off the Record."
In Our Mail
Editor, The Riviera: Thanks for the new Woman's Page. I've enjoyed it tremendously and profited by the summer recipes listed thereon. Wonder if you couldn't go a little further in making life easier for housewives these unbearably hot days. I think every homemaker in the Gables would be grateful if you would approach the Chamber of Commerce with a view to sponsoring the opening of one grocery in the Gables each Wednesday afternoon. As far as I can see, it wouldn't work much hardship on the merchants of the Gables to take turns staying open on the half holiday, so that there would be some recourse for housewives upon whom company has descended of a Wednesday. And don't think they don't descend---in numbers! It's a horrible feeling watching friends and relatives pour out of cars and trying to give a genuine welcome when you're secretly figuring that it is lunch time and there's only one loaf of bread in the box and it would take at least three to provide sandwiches for the crowd. I figure that each store, taking its turn, would keep open only one Wednesday afternoon in ten---which wouldn't be much of a hardship for the merchants. The name and address of the store to stay open the following week to serve customers could be listed in The Riviera, where all housewives might see it. How about it? HOUSEWIFE.
This Week in Defense
THE PRESIDENT---President Roosevelt sent a special message to Congress saying "we stand, as we did in the closing months of 1915, at the beginning of an upward spiral of the whole price structure," and asked authority to set ceilings for prices and rents, to purchase commodities when necessary to assure price stability, and to deal more extensively with excesses in installment credit. He said the "facts today are frighteningly similar" to the situation in the last war, when the wholesale price index increased nearly 140 per cent between October, 1915, and June, 1920. In the past sixty days wholesale prices have risen more than five times as fast as during the preceding period since the outbreak of the war in Europe, he said. "The whole production machinery falters under inflation," he said, and "the unskilled worker, the white-collar worker, the farmer, the small business man and the small investor all find that their dollar buys ever less and less." The Bureau of Labor Statistics announced its index of prices, as of July 26, stood at 88.8 per cent of the 1926 average, 15 per cent above a year ago. Price Administrator Henderson said the crisis in the Far East necessitates a price ceiling on raw silk and may make necessary a ceiling on tin prices. He asked dealers and consumers not to pay prices for high grade waste paper above those prevailing July 26, "pending an investigation of the price structure." ECONOMIC DEFENSE---President Roosevelt created an Economic Defense Board consisting of Vice-President Wallace, chairman; seven Cabinet members; and such additional members as Mr. Wallace may select. The President said the new board will formulate the nation's international economic policy, co-ordinate the economic activities of defense agencies and plan for post-war reconstruction. FOREIGN AFFAIRS---The President ordered the freezing of all Japanese credits in the United States and extended the order to Chinese assets to protect China against use of assets controlled from occupied China. The President also placed the Army and Navy of the Philippine Commonwealth within the command of the armed forces of the United States, and named General Douglas A. MacArthur, former Chief of Staff, commanding general. The State Department protested the dropping of bombs by Japanese planes near the U. S. Gunboat "Tutuila," and announced the incident closed after the Japanese Government promised full investigation and reparation. Acting Secretary Welles denounced Germany for its note to the Mexican Government with regard to the black-list recently issued by President Roosevelt and for the Nazi Government's reported threats of reprisal. AID TO RUSSIA---Lend-Lease Administrator Hopkins arrived in Moscow to discuss expediting of needed war materials to the Soviet Union and the United States. Hopkins conferred with President Roosevelt and the State Department. Acting Secretary Welles said Lend-Lease aid has not been discussed because the Russian Government can purchase needed materials with cash. TAX ANTICIPATION NOTES---The Treasury placed on sale at Federal Reserve Banks tax anticipation notes intended to help taxpayers set aside sufficient money to meet increased tax bills on the coming year. The notes are redeemable in cash or as payment for income taxes and bear interest up to 1.92 per cent. Secretary Morgenthau, in a letter to all banking institutions, said "it is important that the taxpayers of the nation become aware of the unprecedented taxes they will have to pay next year on this year's income, and they should be encouraged to set aside funds now with which to meet those later payments." ARMY---The War Department created five air support commands in order to co-ordinate the activities of aviation units and ground forces. The department announced the Signal Corps has developed electrical sentries that will warn of invading aircraft "long before they are actually sighted," but said the Army needs 500 men from the radio engineering field to learn to operate the secret devices. War Secretary Stimson said 1,000 airplanes and 10,000 Air Corps officers and enlisted men will take part in maneuvers stressing co-ordination of ground and air strength in the Beauregard, La., area from September 1 to 30, in the simulate warfare between 50,000 men of the Second and Third Armies and in the First Army maneuvers to be held in the Carolinas November 3 to 30. OIL---Defense Petroleum Co-ordinator Ickes recommended 100,000 gasoline filling stations in the following states be closed from 7 P. M. to 7 A. M. every night beginning Sunday, August 3: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, District of Columbia, and "all marketing areas in or east of the Appalachian Mountains in the states of New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia." He appealed for a voluntary one-third cut in consumption and said he hoped closing the stations in Eastern States nightly "plus the voluntary curtailment will be enough to put us across." PRIORITIES---Director of Priorities Stettinius issued an order freezing all stocks of raw silk because of "unsettled conditions in the Far East." Mr. Stettinius announced a new plan to grant blanket preference ratings to projects which must be developed promptly. He issued a limited preference rating to forty manufacturers of mining machinery and to seventy-five producers of cranes and hoists needed by defense manufacturing plants. AGRICULTURE---OPM Director Knudsen told Agriculture Secretary Wickard the OPM will co-operate to meet shortages of farm equipment and machinery now hindering efforts to increase farm production. The Office of Price Administration revised its allocation program to increase storage space for farmers for the current grain harvest by increasing the quantities of steel and zinc for grain bin construction. LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT---Labor Secretary Perkins reported non-agricultural employment increased by 484,000 during June, to reach a new all-time high of 38,790,000---an increase of 3,650,000 since June, 1940, and 1,900,000 more than the June, 1929, record. WPA employment dropped 77,000 and NYA, 96,000, she said. OPM Associate Director Hillman asked airplane companies to employ and train domen in defense jobs without lowering wages or working standards. The Navy, War and Commerce Departments jointly proposed the 60,000,000 American-born in this country, but without documentary proof of citizenship, apply to state bureaus of vital statistics and similar agencies for "delayed birth certificates" to break the bottleneck by which native-born workers are barred from jobs in defense plants for lack of such proof of citizenship.
This ONE'S ON You
PLATE PLOPS---One of the British navigation cadets made a rather expensive trade for a fish while angling in the Gulf Stream the other day. The young navigator was battling a big one in a pretty rough sea when the rocking of the boat became too much for his land-lubber tummy. With typical British tenacity he refused to give up the fish, but couldn't do the same for his lunch. By the time he had boated the finny specimen, his upper plate had plopped into the sea in exchange. BUILDER'S BREW---One of the many woes of house building is the extras that continually crop up as construction proceeds. Jim Moore, of The Riviera staff, who is currently suffering from "constructionitis," learned of an additional expense the other day that he hadn't counted on. Seems there is a builder's tradition that when the roof is placed on the house, the workmen attach a small bush to the chimney. The bush is the signal for the owner to appear on the scene with a case of beer, properly iced, so that the carpenters can properly celebrate the occasion. DEFINITION---Mary Leach stopped the party the other night when, wide-eyed, she asked if anyone knew the definition of a cocoon. After several had attempted explanations, she shook her head and naively explained, "A cocoon is a colored person." BIG BUNDLE---While Jim Hoffman, of the Committee to Defend America, was lunching with the Kiwanis Club on the Country Club terrace Tuesday, a gust of wind caught the British flag and brought it down, completely enveloping him. Some quick-wit at the back table shouted, "Check off another bundle for Britain." GROUND-BREAKING---Passersby along Ponce de Leon Boulevard one hot day this week were intrigued by the mysterious activities of one Tracy Hollingsworth and one Andy Houston. Tracy is publicity director of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce and Andy is chairman of the Merchants Bureau---both have been nurturing the idea of planting palms along Ponce. Andy held one end of a roller tape and Tracy the other and both were making mental notes (it being warm in the midday sun) on where the palms should or might be planted along the Boulevard. The sun beat down. Finally a curious observer asked: "What's going on, now?" "Oh," Andy ohed, "we thought we would start our palm tree beautification plan now and let it be a surprise for City Manager A. B. Curry when he gets back from his vacation." There was more gesticulation, tape waving and mental notatnils. Fifteen minutes later the sun beat down, not on Tracy and Andy, but on the unbroken ground for the unplanted palms. Looks like the Gables will have to be satisfied with palms. DUMB---LIKE A FOX---A. B. Mack was cruising round Boston a number of years ago and going like blazes along Route 60. Suddenly a siren announced a denizen of the law's approach and A. B. pulled over to the side of the road. "How fast were you going?" inquired the policeman. "No faster than the law permits," answered A. B. "And how fast is that?" asked the cop. "As fast as the signs say you can go," answered Mr. Mack. "And where do you see the signs," demanded the policeman. "All along the road---see, 60, 60, 60, over there on the side of the road," Mr. Mack answered. Said the cop: "I see you're from Florida. If you're as dumb as that get off my beat in a hurry, willya?" CHILD'S WORLD---The following exchange between a Gables youngster and his father took place one morning this week: Child: "Where are you going, Dad?" Father: "To work, of course." Child: "To the office?" Father: "Yes." Child: "What an office?!"