Coral Gables Riviera

THE CORAL GABLES RIVIERA

PAGE 6 THE CORAL GABLES RIVIERA FRIDAY, AUG. 15, 1941 THE 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 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.

Pity the Poor Puppy

A sick puppy is an inoffensive being. He finds a quiet corner out of everyone's way and is content to suffer, impervious to sympathy, comfort or company. Perhaps if the ailing canine were more complaining, more wailing, more moaning, there would be no necessity, at this time, for dog lovers to take up the cudgels in behalf of the lowly puppy. The Humane Society of Greater Miami faces a crisis—one which may result in a door closed in the face of the homeless dog, or medical assistance denied the sick or ailing pet. The crisis is the result of a lack of interest on the part of the various municipalities in and around Miami. Private aid has been forthcoming, but necessarily in small donations. What should be of primary interest to the county and the city has been pushed into the category of private charity. The time has come for us to change this attitude. Free care for our sick pets, homes for wandering and homeless cats and dogs are the concern of everyone. By this reasoning the Humane Society should receive a degree of financial assistance from the agencies of government. Miami Beach has started the financial ball rolling by providing for $50 per month in its new budget; South Miami has set aside $10 a month; Coral Gables, $25 monthly. Persons interested in the Humane Society have launched a campaign of education to the needs of our dumb animals and will talk to civic clubs in the area. We think that the Dade County commissioners should study this situation—that it should not be left, haphazardly, up to the generosity of municipal boards to support this worthy cause.

Welcome!

News that the Woolworth 10-cent-store chain is opening a branch store in Coral Gables should be good news to the Gables—business men and ordinary citizens alike. The move on the part of the Woolworth chain is just another recognition of the growth and prestige of Coral Gables. Chain stores actually attract customers from outlying areas and induce people to shop at home by merchandising and sales promotion methods—they create a flow of buyers that keep business moving in every store. Not to be overlooked is the number of local men and women who will be hired to man the new enterprise and the creation, thus, of a new field of spending power. Local employment also is stimulated through the purchases made locally by the chain store. We welcome any and all new business enterprises to Coral Gables—they cause a rise in the barometer of wealth and better business. Too, the new business institutions provides the sometimes necessary stimulus to long-established institutions to perk up and take stock.

Jaycees Vote Wisely

Members of the Coral Gables Junior Chamber of Commerce voted, and voted wisely last week, when they selected Dr. S. Hill Gordon to lead the organization for the next 12 months. Dr. Gordon is energetic and has many good ideas from which the community should benefit during his term of office. We feel that he is a proper successor to Wade Stephens, who leaves office with a creditable administration. The Riviera congratulates the Jaycees on their selection and wishes Dr. Gordon every possible success during his term at the helm of the civic club.

Florida and Long Life

It always gives one a glow of satisfaction to hear a cardinal belief verified by excellent authority. That's exactly the way we feel today. For years we have thought that Florida was THE place to live; that the all-year-'round climate was the best anywhere; that by coming to Florida we had laid the groundwork for years of added life. And then along came Mr. E. B. (Farmer) Dunn to lend authority and give substance to our thoughts. Farmer Dunn is 86 and a weather authority and knows his meteorology. If there had been one tiny doubt in our mind about Florida and its pleasant weather we'd be willing to let Farmer Dunn's book "How to Prolong Life" remove it. Farmer Dunn not only offers scientific facts to substantiate his point, but points to himself as living proof of the benefits of Florida sunshine. Since when he came here 12 years ago, Farmer Dunn expects to add another 15 years to his present 86. We think he will.

Just a Touch of Home

When a young man is far from home there are many times when a homey atmosphere and a taste of some real home cooking is good for his palate and for his morale. Coral Gables folks realize this—the number of invitations extended to cadets, both British and American, who are studying celestial navigation at the University of Miami are proof of it. These boys are students and are playing an important role in the defense program. They work hard and study hard—and if our families see to it that they receive moderate entertainment they are contributing to a great cause. We do not want to paint this project as begging and coaxing upon Gables families. The cadets are interesting, have colorful stories to tell, interesting anecdotes to relate, are excellent company at anyone's dinner table. The home entertainment committee, headed by Mrs. Milton B. Garris, is anxious to arrange more of these intimate, informal home gatherings for the cadets. Mrs. Garris points out that there is no need for elaborate entertainment, since the boys are being feted often at dances and the like. Just a touch of home for the lad far from home.

OUR TOWN by Jim Moore

JIM MOORE We were quite surprised the other day to read a piece in a Miami daily paper that cast a shadow of doubt as to the honesty of Coral Gables policemen. The inference was that because Coral Gables officers are underpaid they are more or less forced to look to means outside the law to bolster incomes. We don't quarrel with our contemporary about the salaries of the police. Perhaps they are below the average standard requisite for a policeman to keep a family in a little style. We, however, have not heard this complaint made by the men themselves. If salaries are too low, it is a matter for the commission to investigate and endeavor to do something about, come next budget making time. The point with which we take issue is that a fairly low wage scale for policemen indicates corruptness in the department. We are more or less inclined to believe that such utterances come natural to Miami writers and that the inference was drawn from some reporter's experience with the police department in his own town, not Coral Gables. We need not dwell on long on the condition of Miami's police department. Recent stories in both Miami papers have brought to light conditions that should cause our sister city to hang her head in shame. It seems, therefore, that the Miami papers should try to put their own house in order before shouting "wolf" about a town that is know the nation over for its freeness from vice and other subversive activity. Not so many months ago a retired FBI man, at the request of the city, made a secret investigation of the Coral Gables Police Department. This investigaion was not done because Gables officials smelled a rat, but because they wanted to learn how our department stacked up with other police forces over the nation. His report is something that should make every citizen swell with pride. Not only is the Coral Gables police force operating efficiently, but it is held up as an example, by the FBI, as a law enforcement body that is free from graft and corruption. And yet, in face of all this, some writer in a vice-ridden town sits down at his typewriter and blithely comes to the conclusion that Coral Gables cops are crooked because they do not make as much money as Miami cops. It is the duty of a newspaper to keep the public informed of conditions that affect the progress of the community it serves. But with this duty comes a more sacred trust—accuracy. To draw an inference from a false premise is a grievous offense. It sometimes can mean that an innocent person can be permanently harmed. And such persons are given recourse in the law. In this case we don't believe that much harm has been done. Perhaps some readers, not familiar with our community, have read the piece and said to themselves, "Coral Gables, too?" But we feel that the majority of the citizens will say, "That writer didn't know what he was talking about." Quite a few, however, will be like us and deeply resent the item. Gableites have a particular pride in our town—a pride that has been engendered by the fact that we have been able to keep the Gables free from the very things that have become a shameful blot on Miami's coat-of-arms. We don't resent being criticized about the police salaries. We appreciate that tip, and, as we said before, the city fathers will no doubt do something to remedy the situation, if it be true. But aspersions about the integrity of our police, coming from a town of Miami's reputation, cause every Gableite to flush with righteous anger. "Let he who is without sin among ye, cast the first stone."

Help!!

In Our Mail

TO SHIPPERS AND RECEIVERS IN CORAL GABLES AND VICINITY: I have been asked to write this letter urging your support of the project for deepening the inland waterway. At present, the Miami area is entirely dependent upon rail facilities, truck lines and coast-wise shipping for all commodities used here. The schedules of all three carriers have been curtailed in the past several months due to the Defense program. Should further curtailments of schedules in coastwise shipping or rail facilities occur, it would throw a tremendous traffic burden on the few highways serving the lower east coast of Florida. If the Inland Waterway could be deepened from the present eight-foot depth to twelve feet, this protected canal could be used to barge materials from points in New Jersey to the lower Florida east coast. The remaining 265 miles of channel necessary to be dredged could be completed in six months' time. Mr. J. Avery Guyton, chairman of a special appeal committee of the Florida Inland Navigation District, said, "This project is of utmost importance to every shipper and receiver of freight in Greater Miami." Municipal Research Director Professor O. P. Hart, asserted, "The additional channel depth is of vital importance from a peace time standpoint as well as from a wartime defense angle." Officials of the Greater Miami Traffic Association pointed out that the project would be a forward step in an effort to secure lower freight rates and place Greater Miami on a competitive basis with other Florida cities; a condition that does not exist now. Recently the United States District and Division Engineers declared the existing channel depth as adequate to carry pleasure crafts and reported unfavorably on further deepening. The most valuable help you can give is to write a letter on your letterhead NOW, estimating the possible amount of freight you would ship and receive in the event the deepening project is successful. As this matter will be presented in Washington, D. C., the first week in August, may I urge you to write at once. Your prompt and vigorous indorsement of the project, addressed to the Miami Chamber of Commerce, is advocated. Coral Gables business and professional people are asked to send original letter to the Miami Chamber of Commerce and a carbon copy to the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce. It will be to your own interest as well as to the interest of your community. A. N. HOUSTON,

This Week in Defense

THE PRESIDENT — President Roosevelt placed airplane fuels under export control, limiting shipment to points in the Western Hemisphere, the British Empire and unoccupied territories of countries resisting aggression. Secretary Hull told his press conference any move of Japan into Thailand would be a matter of concern to the United States. Treasury Secretary Morgenthau announced the lend-lease administration has order 10,000,000 yards of cotton grey goods to make uniforms for Chinese soldiers. * * * AID TO RUSSIA — The State Department announced extension of the trade agreement between the U. S. S. R and the United States until August 6, 1942, to insure "continuance during the emergency period of our established relations with the Soviet Union on the basis of the 1937 commercial agreement." Russia will pay cash or will earmark gold for all materials bought, the Department said. * * * SILK — The Office of Production Management "froze" all silk sulpplies in the country because minimum requirements of the Army and Navy for silk powder bags and parachutes will consume total stocks. Price Administrator Henderson said the action should not result in retail stocking price increases for stocks on hand. OPM formed a special commodity section to handle problems of obtaining substitute materials, allocating yarn and manufacturing capacity. Federal Security Administrator McNutt called for immediate registration by State Employment Services of the approximately 175,000 silk industry workers being forced out of work by the raw silk shortage. The Department of Agriculture reported more than 150 different cotton stocking designs are available to the hosiery industry, and stated 89 per cent of the 16,000 knitting machines can knit cotton as well as silk. * * * ARMY — The War Department announced a campaign to convert to armament production thousands of consumer goods factories facing eventual shutdown because of diversion of raw materials to the defense program, and said it already has a list of 500 such plants. The Department expanded its officer candidate schools to provide opportunities for one in each 150 soldiers to receive a commission. Advancement during the first year will be available to about 58 per cent of all trainees, the Department said. It reported 100 Canadian officers and 65 junior officers from the Latin American Republics are now enrolled in various courses with the U. S. Army. * * * OIL—Petroleum Co-ordinator Ickes said he was satisfied with first results of the nightly blackout of East Coast gasoline stations, but asked motorists to redouble efforts to cut motor fuel consumption voluntarily. He made recommendations for operators of commercial vehicles, which, he said, would cut gas consumption about 30 per cent; and announced the oil industry will give its patrons windshield stickers pledging the use of one-third less gasoline than usual. He said 82 insurance companies have contributed to the "share-your-car-campaign" by underwriting rules to enable motorists to carry paying passengers to and from work. Federal Security Administrator McNutt urged immediate registration at State Employment offices of all automobile service station workers who lose their jobs as a result of the drive to cut gasoline consumption, in order that they may "be transferred as rapidly as possible to other work." * * * POWER—Consumer Administrator Harriet Elliott issued a list of suggestions to housewives for the conservation of power for defense by cutting electric bills, and said, "The practice of careful consumption habits now is the best preparation for the future." Miss Elliott recommended economies be practiced, particularly in parts of the country where power shortages are threatened. * * * LABOR SUPPLY—The OPM said railroad labor and management will help meet skilled labor shortages in defense industries out of the available supply of railroad workers, which includes 20,000 skilled mechanics now unemployed and 80,000 apprentices who could be promoted to release other workers. The OPM also announced 21 Gulf Coast shipyards have put into effect zone labor standards prohibiting strikes and stabilizing wages during the next two years. Federal Security Administrator McNutt said 2,500,000 jobs were filled by State Employment Services during the first six months of 1941, a gain of 52 per cent over the same period in 1940. * * * DEFENSE HOUSING—FWA Administrator Carmody said nearly 8,000 homes for defense workers—an average of 256 houses a day—were constructed during July, 18 more houses a day than in June. Mr. Carmody said 16,101 homes were completed, as of August 1, of the 90,465 approved for construction. Contracts have been let for 60,895 more, he said. * * * AGRICULTURE—Assistant Price Administrator Galbraith, speaking during the annual Farm and Home Week, said: "Farmers ... must be the national leaders in the fight against inflation. If they take the leadership then stability is assured. ... To stop this price increase ... we need the willingness to see price advances stopped and stopped firmly." He said prices today are more favorable to farmers than in years, but it took 20 years "to rebuild agriculture out of the wreckage left by the inflation of the last war." * * * PRICES—The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported retail food prices increased 1.5 per cent during the last two weeks of July to a level almost 16 per cent above August, 1939. The Federal Reserve Board said national income payments by last June had reached $88 billion a year—19 per cent above May, 1940—and said unless an unusually large part of consumer income is saved or paid out in taxes, price inflation will grow. * * * WORLD AFFAIRS—Secretary of State Hull, returning to his desk after a six-weeks' absence, said: "During the weeks of my absence the most clinching demonstration has been given ... (that) there is a world movement of conquest by force, accompanied by methods of governing the conquered peoples that are rooted mainly in savagery and barbarism." Secretary Hull said, "with full effort and ever-increasing production and preparation for defense ... a successful resistance to the present world movement ... will be made."

EUTHYMIC EULOGY

THIS 'N' THAT ONE'S ON YOU EUTHYMIC EULOGY—We received the following letter this week from Tom Henderson: "I particularly enjoyed "OUR TOWN" today; so much so, in fact, that I was inclined to immediately scribble some sort of epic entitled "The Newspaperman's Lament." Yours sincerely, T. W. HENDERSON. P. S.—The inspiration to write the poem has been killed by inertia, due to lack of euthymol in the atmosphere. Editor's P. S.—The closest we could come to "euthymol" in Mr. Webster's dictionary was "euthymy—according to Democritus, the end of all action."

QUICK RETORT

QUICK RETORT—"Dutch" Shellenberg tells us that he met a girl at the Country Club last Saturday who wore her wedding ring on her right hand and explained it by saying that she was left-handed.

EXPERT OPINION

EXPERT OPINION—A bunch of the boys were whooping it up over cokes in Chester Moore's the other afternoon when several airplanes were heard droning overhead. "They're dive-bombers," said one customer, without looking up. "How do you know?" another queried. "I saw 'Wings of the Navy,'" was the laconic reply.

A LA CARTE

A LA CARTE—Bill Schultz, chef at the local Breeding's store, is causing no end of comment with his new facial foliage. Bill has acquired a tiny goatee and pointed moustache, which, with his white cap and uniform, make him look like the real McCoy.

BLASTED DREAMS

BLASTED DREAMS—Attorney George Okell has a diamond stickpin which he has appropriately dubbed "pin of blasted dreams." The pin is made up of six diamonds, all tendered him as part payment for legal work done on divorce suits and all were originally the settings of engagement rings. George gave the stones to his wife to have a piece of jewelry made and she had them converted into the stickpin for him.

CURB SERVICE

CURB SERVICE—Frank Kerdyke is the only Gableite we have seen getting curb service from the U. S. Post Office. Frank, who is bicycling now, either to save gas for defense or take off a few pounds, rides right up to his P. O. box, transfers the mail to the basket on his bike and rides merrily away without ever dismounting.

ASTUTE ANSWER

ASTUTE ANSWER—"Bus" Rasco, dean of the law school at the University of Miami, tells this one on himself: "What is the difference between capital and labor?" he asked a student. Back came this answer: "The money you lend represents capital and getting it back represents labor."

POLITICAL PLUMS

POLITICAL PLUMS—Harry Rath is telling this one on Commissioner Tom Mayes, but we can't vouch for its authenticity: Tom, Jr., asked his 'dad if they raised political plums from seeds. "No, son," answered Tom, "but sometimes a bit of grafting is necessary."

BILLET DOUX

BILLET DOUX—A fisherman who hasn't the courage to sign his name, writes us from down the coast thusly: "The mosquitoes are terrible. During the night I overheard two of the mosquitoes talking. They had just killed a steer. The first mosquito said: 'Shall we take it home or eat it here?' The second mosquito replied: 'We had better eat it here. If we take it home a couple of the big fellows might take it away from us.'"

SLIP OF FATE

SLIP OF FATE—Paul Maurice Cold, one of The Riviera's backshop crew, just missed his calling—or maybe he just missed his miscalling. Maurice once was a student butcher, was making considerable progress on dissecting, trimming, etc. Then came the call of Printer's Ink and Maurice threw the cleaver (handle first) to his brother. Reports from Hall Codd are that Maurice's brother is quite a butcher. Well, Maurice is quite a printer—so there!

MISTAKEN IDENTITY

— We introduced our youngest to a Mrs. Smith the other day. A few minutes later Mrs. Smith's mother-in-law happened along. We introduced the little fellow to the second Mrs. Smith. "The first lady's name was Smith," he remarked. "Yes," we answered. "The second lady is Mrs. Smith, too?" he queried. "Yes," we answered. "They both got the same name, but they wear different faces," was his sage comment.

DO-NUTS DE-LUXE

DO-NUTS DE-LUXE—This little episode is told by Caroll S. Daniels about his grandfather. Seems as though his grandmother, even though she was an excellent cook, would never made do-nuts, so grandfather decided to cook up a batch himself. The dough making preparations went fine and soon the pastries were bubbling in the pot. When grandmother made her inspection, she found only one thing wrong—the do-nuts were cooking in a pot of boiling water.

LULLABY

LULLABY—Driving down the Trail the other day, we were surprised to hear an auto horn behind us tooting out the first five notes of "Rock-a-bye Baby." As we pulled over a baby-blue truck sped by, bearing the name "Miami Diaper Laundry."