Coral Gables Historical Archive
Coral Gables Riviera
Friday, October 10, 1941, page 6 (of 8)
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 4-1834 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.
The Ill Wind Blows Good
Disaster brings with it a singleness of purpose on the part of people. When disaster comes there are no lines of social distinction; the cat cannot only look at but talk to the King. The principal object is the preservation of life—whether that life be a bricklayer's or a retired banker's. In Coral Gables this week, with an unwelcome hurricane paying a visit, this cooperative principle was well demonstrated. There were those who left their Sunday dinner to wait on customers in business establishments selling nails, lumber, candles and other preparatory articles. Various organizations mobilized their forces for post-hurricane activity. The proprietor of the small store received plenty of unsolicited help in removing his overhanging sign. Homes unprepared for what was to come were coached by veterans of prior hurricanes. Gableites with large secure homes were hosts to those living in precarious and questionable buildings. Then there was the quiet calm—the shoe for the angry kicking and charging foot of the hurricane—and the storm came and went. This spirit of help-the-other-fellow gives you a warm and pleasant feeling and it makes you wonder why, in our intelligent and modern civilization, we must wait for a hurricane to strike before we do the things that give tonic to our soul. We recommend it as something deserving of a good deal of serious, down-to-earth thought.
City Beautiful
Coral Gables, the City Beautiful, lost some of its beauty in Monday's hurricane. The storm interrupted a beautification program which was well nigh completed, pulled trees from their moorings all through the Gables. On Tuesday the City Commissioners convened and met the issue squarely; funds were taken from the contingent fund for restoration purposes. Soon the beautification plan will be resumed and carried to completion.
A Great Servant
We're not launching a lecture on safety, but this is Fire Prevention Week—an annual affair which has as its purpose the creation of "fire hazard consciousness." We need not be told that fire is a great servant when under control, a raging beast when out of hand. We know that it must be kept under control, but sometimes we grow just a wee bit haphazard in our efforts to avoid its terrible side. Let's for this week be "over-conscious" regarding the things which can cause fires and the consequent loss of life and property. Let's clean up and pick up; check exposed wiring and the like with a vigilance. And then, at the end of this week, let's keep a high degree of this consciousness throughout the year. If we do that, fire will continue to be a servant rather than a master.
Falls Follow Reason
It doesn't seem to make sense, but we reach the age of falls shortly after we reach the age of reason. In other words, and to make it more confusing, we have more trouble watching our step years after we have learned to take our first steps. It's this way: The new edition of Accident Facts, the National Safety Council's annual accident statistics volume, reports that 33,000 men, women and children were killed in 1940 as a result of accidents in their homes. From 0 to 4 years of age, burns were the most deadly cause of home fatalities, causing 29 per cent of them. From 5 to 14 years of age, burns were an even more lethal cause of home accident deaths—responsible for 32 per cent of the fatalities. From 15 to 24 years of age, firearms took the play away from burns as a killer in home accidents and claimed 23 per cent of the lives lost. But from 25 to 64 years of age, well after we have cast our first vote—boy, do we begin to fall down around the house! Falls jump out in front as the cause of home accident deaths in these age bracket, causing 30 per cent of them. And from 65 years and on to the grave, falls were out in front and going away, causing 81 per cent of the home accident deaths. For all ages, for the entire year of 1940, falls were responsible for 16,600 of the 33,000 deaths which resulted from home accidents.
JIM MOORE
by Jim Moore We'd discovered a new ailment. It's called a "Hurricane Hangover" and it affects alcoholic imbibers and teetotalers alike. This condition was very must in evidence Monday afternoon as Gableites came out from behind shuttered homes to view the damage done by the tropical disturbance that whizzed through the community during the wee hours. The symptoms are a feeling of complete lethargy strangely coupled with a desire for some excitement. Any form of work, especially the thought of returning to the routine of regular jobs, is regarded with something akin to horror. The idea of putting in and taking down the storm shutters is viewed with equal disgust. The basic cause for this condition, as far as we can learn, is the fact that the nervous system has been building up a terrific amount of nervous energy during the pre-storm period, that is not fully expended when the storm arrives. Then the let-down causes a reaction to set in. While the storm was aprpoaching, the nervous build-up was apparent everywhere. People moved faster, the tempo being set by the rat-a-tat-tat of thousands of hammers. Radios blared storm warnings, emergency advice. News of disaster crews organizing came hurling from the loud speaker in machine gunner. Lumber trucks rumbled through the streets, supplying protective boards for windows. As the storm grew nearer, the pace increased. Ponce de Leon Boulevard was shuttered from one end to the other. The whole town looked like it was prepared for an invasion. Nightfall arrived and residents battened down in their homes, awaiting the roar of the winds. The radio kept excitement at fever pitch with bulletins and advisories coming at fever pitch. By 2 A. M. people were in a state of near exhaustion and sank into fitful slumber. Others drank coffee and huddled near radios, mentally mapping the storm's progress. When the storm finally arrived, it was a great disappointment to many. It had received all the build-up and fanfare of a new Hollywood movie star. And while it whistled and howled around the eaves, rainyes, it just didn't seem to quite come up to expectations. We likened it to Walt Disney's "Reluctant Dragon" as we watched it swish past the windows. We don't say that the storm didn't do any damage. City Manager Curry estimates the cost to Coral Gables at $10,000, which "ain't hay" in anybody's language. But talking it over with folks who had never seen one before, we found that most of them were quite impressed with the whole shebang. When the winds subsided to a murmur and people had gulped a cold breakfast, due to the fact that the electric stove wasn't working, the hangover business set in. Came time to leave for work and folks just didn't leave. Some stretched out on the couch for a few additional winks while others got the car out and drove around looking at the tangled and root-up trees. By noon a few workers straggled into offices and sat about discussing the storm. As far as the looks of the town was concerned, one would think that another storm was following. Very few could bring themselves to the task of taking down the shutters. Plate glass store windows remained covered. The busy hustle that marked the preceding day was nowhere in evidence. Down here at The Riviera we sat about and made desultory stabs at our typewriters, but the creative mood had gone with the wind. The linto types wouldn't run, the water cooler bubbled warm water and there was no electric fan to motivate the inert atmosphere. All around the town we found the same spirit existing. Folks just didn't give a darn whether school kept or not, to use an old colloquialism. Most of the stores finally opened, but a few remained closed all day Monday. The Hurricane Hangover had descended amongst us. Those who had sought to fortify the inner man the night before with copious quantities of spiritus frumenti had a double dose. They hardly moved. As one fellow expressed it, "I've just been through a four-quart hurricane." But both imbibers and non-imbibers suffered alike on Monday. The Hurricane Hangover excepted no one.
It's A Fact---
THE TOWER ON THE MIAMI BILTMORE HOTEL IS AN EXACT REPLICA OF THE FAMED GIRALDA TOWER IN SPAIN! "Just like Home" A Spaniard, getting his first glimpse of the hotel tower, would feel right at home. Line for line, window for window, the tower is an exact model of the old Spanish Giralda Tower. In fact, it is even called the "Giralda Tower" and the suite of rooms there the "Giralda Suite."
Frost Expected
ANY ALUMINUM LADY? (WNU Service)
Dollars and Sense
By ROMEYN W. SMITH Investment Consultant Last week we discussed the effects of an investment policy predicated on "investing for income." Let us seek the reasons which actuate this type of investo r. Or perhaps we should say the inhibitions which deter him from becoming a "pay yourself dividends" investor. He is the man whom you hear say, "I must have an income. I wouldn't use any part of my principal as income, not for anything in the world." Actually, he does it frequently. Let us cite a few instances: (1) He owns a preferred stock which continues to pay dividends out of the accumulated surplus of prior years. He is spending part of his capital though he does not realize it. (2) Perhaps it is a common stock. For example, American Telephone and Telegraph Company. For many years after 1932 the $9.00 per share dividend on this stock was not earned completely. The parent company drew upon the surplus accounts of its subsidiaries, which was merely a transfer of capital, in order to continue the $9.00 annual dividend rate. Here again was a partial return of capital called a dividend—and spent as income. We cannot resist pointing out that this stock, regarded as one of the premier investment stocks in the whole world, sold for more than $350 per share in 1929 and for under $70 per share in 1929. And all during the 1929-1932 era the $9.00 per share dividend was paid. But this payment did not prevent in any way the market price trends, which we have emphasized so strongly in previous articles. (3) Or perhaps he cashed in the rights, he used to get from Telephone. Those rights, as they were exercised, diluted his telephone stock—reduced his principal. (4) Or perhaps he sold the stock dividends paid by North American Company and used the proceeds as income. The stock dividend reduced the value of his capital. He was spending from principal. Thus you see that the man who "would not use any part of his principal" frequently does so, but does not realize that he is doing so. You cannot deny the fact that investors actually spend part of their principal in all cases where declining market prices deplete the value of ten gipal ey more than the income received. Frequently we wish that someone would furnish us with a clear definition of "investment income." How long a period of time is needed to prove whether you actually are spending income or principal? Do the clipping of interest coupons and the receipt of dividend cheques prove that the cash so received is income? We know that such cash receipts are taxable income—but are they investment income? You might collect interest and dividends for five years; then you might sustain a loss of principal greater than the five-year collections. Have you ever noticed how some people figure their yield to maturity on a 20-year bond which is selling around $95? Who knows whether such a bond will be paying on its interest coupons ten years from now? Only current yields really count. Here are a few more thoughts. Two stocks earn $9.00 per share, or 9% on $100 par value. Company A pays a $7 dividend. Company B pays a $2 dividend, and reinvests $7 for the stockholder. The B shaeholders receive 7% not in cash, which they could collect by selling 7% of their shares. Theoretically, the remaining 93% have the same total value as the former 100%, because of the 7% retained by the company. Our discussion assumes "everything else being equal." But everything else is not always equal Depressions will occur. The man who "must have income" each and every year will continue to lose part of his capital periodically, unless he adopts the "pay yourself dividends plan." Don't make your own dividend rate any higher than necessary, but operate on that basis even if you have to pay yourself 10% yearly. It will be much cheaper than "investing for income." This plan is new to most investors. But is an old story to those who avoid losses during depression periods. We repeat that the most glaring misconception of the whole problem of investment management lies in the erroneous belief that money should earn a given rate each and every year.
In Our Mail
Editor, The Riviera: I have just experienced my first hurricane and I think that there should be a word of commendation for the informative bulletins provided the local radio stations. Through these announcements, made at various times throughout the night last Sunday, I was able to know exactly the time of arrival of the hurricane. I would also like to express my appreciation of the efforts of the various organizations like the American Legion, who so completely devote themselves to the public interest in emergencies like this one. A. R. P. Editor, The Riviera: Well, it looks like the Hurricanes are going places this year. I have been a football fan ever since I arrived in Coral Gables and have followed the Hurricanes through victory and defeat. Never in all these years have I been so optimistic with regard to the success of our local grid men. They started the season well, winning over Elon, and I hope that they continue to roll up victories. Why don't some more of you football fans step out to see the local boys mop up the field with their visiting teams? It's great sport. FAN.
What Happens to the Selectee?
There are few major organizations of the new national defense program that are as unintentionally under-publicized as the reception centers. There a single individual is transplanted over night from civilian to military life by experts in handling Uncle Sam's selective service recruit systems. Since the establishment of Camp Blanding, one of the nation's largest military cantoments, thousands of potential leaders have been inducted into the service and assigned to regiments all over the United States. This article, prepared under the supervision of Lieutenant-Colonel Ire E. Ryder, commanding officer of the reception center, is for the purpose of answering th numerous questions that come up concerning the selective service men as they come into the Army. Step by step the procedure will be explained to give the future selectee an idea of what is in store for him when he is called into th service. After induction into the Army at the induction station, the selectee is sent to the reception center. On arrival there he is assigned to a tent and given preliminary instructions in care of his tent and making a bed, also the location of mess-hall and other important buildings. The next step in changing the selectee from a civilian into a soldier is taken by assembling the selectees in groups of about fifty and marching them to the "processing" building, where they are first given an I. Q. test, which gives first-hand information on each man's intelligence. This test is given in two phases, the instruction phase, requiring twenty minutes, and the final test, requiring forty minutes. After the test the man are marched into another room where the benefits of national life insurance are explained, and every man given an opportunity to subscribe for a policy in stated amounts up to the maximum, which is for $10,000. Since the establishment of this center over 14,000 men from all walks of life have passed through the unit. Of this number over 4,200 took out insurance policies totaling well over $10,000,000.00. After each man has either signed an application for insurance or a statement that he does not desire any insurance he is sent to the interview section, where he is asked a great number of questions is regard to his past experience and abilities, where he was born, where his father and mother were born, whether or not he is a citizen, what schools he attended and courses taken, what languages he can read, write or speak, and what his hobbies are. He is also asked what his main occupation has been and any other occupations that he has worked at for any length of time; with the names of his employers and the salary received. All this information is entered on the soldier's qualification card, which is a part of the permanent record of each man. From this information a trained classification officer is able to classify the man in order that the Army may obtain the greatest benefit from the training the man has received in civilian life and also avoid the placing of square pegs in round holes. After classification, the man is sent to the medical section, where he is vaccinated against small- (Please turn to Page 8)
This and That BETWEEN YOU and ME
A LA DIXIE—There's a story going the rounds concerning an orange grower, south of Coral Gables, who conceived the idea of importing orangoutangs from South Africa to pick oranges in the grove. He experimented with one and discovered that it could pick three times as many as a human. Consequently he called his fellow growers together and proposed the financing of an expedition to Africa to capture 1,000 Simians and bring them back to Florida. The group was DOWN WITH MAN! enthusiastic with the exception of one grower, who kept muttering, "It won't work." When pressed for a reason for his disbelief in the plan, he explained, "Why, we'd no more'n spend a year and a half training those apes and just get 'em goin' good when those damnyankees would come down here and free 'em!" WIND AND WINE—This week's storm brings to mind a story about the last blow concerning the employees of a Grove chain drug store. The boys got the store all boarded up and then moved into the liquor department and started a poker game for the duration. The wind blew, the game progressed and the stock on the shelves grew less and less. Just as the game was beginning to get interesting, the front door flew open and in walked one of the owners of the store, irately demanding what in thunder was going on. "Why, we're just amusing ourselves until the wind subsides," one of the employees ventured. "Why, you dopes," the boss thundered, "the storm's been over for a full day." THE PRESS ALERT—George Duncan, who turns typewritten words into beautiful glistening linotype slugs for the benefit of our subscribers, has finally confessed. We had to make him confess—after we had learned the true state of affairs from Mrs. Duncan. It seems that George viewed much of this week's hurricane right from the Riviera office! George could have gotten all kinds of extras and special editions of The Riviera out single-handed had there been a call for that. George and his wife share a popular dislike for hurricanes and, never having experienced one before, they didn't know what to expect. But let Mrs. Duncan tell the story: "Sitting in our four-room shack listening to the radio, I got the impression that there was going to be a little excitement in our home town. Yes, the radio was issuing hurricane warnings. So we sat and listened to them come in every hour. The fact that we have a bouncing boy nearly three didn't ease my mind any. At 8 o'clock, time for our son to retire, I told him a bedtime story about a hurricane. We waited and waited—then between 2 and 3 A. M. all three of us strolled down to The Riviera office where, amidst the yawning machinery and cold type, we withstood the storm. Now we can safely say we are Floridians. SPURNED—During a recent house-cleaning spree, our better half decided to rid herself of five hats that had been cluttering up the cupboard. In a burst of generosity, she presented them to the negro maid, who accepted them with broad grins and a multitude of thanks. The missus went about her business with the happy glow of having done a good turn, until the next day, when she chanced to look into the garbage can, and saw all five chapeaux reposing there. HOME AND THE RANGE—The Tom Poole's gas range proved quite popular Monday morning after the blow. The Pooles had no sooner gotten their coffee made and the eggs fried when in walked their next-door neighbors, coffee pot ready, eggs broken in a pan and asked to use the stove. Their's was electric and consequently not functioning due to the power being shut off. They chatted for a few minutes while the coffee bubbled and the eggs crackled and then departed with breakfast cooked, to eat it in their own home. MUST VICTORY—Tish Raymond was preparing for a recent golf tournament when her young daughter excitedly said, "Mother, you just MUST win today." "Why is it so imperative?" asked Mrs. Raymond. "Because Percy lost last night and I couldn't stand two losses," replied young Miss Raymond. Tish won. CURIOSITY—The RAF boys over at the University of Miami were busier than anything on Monday morning. Armed with cameras of all shapes and descriptions, they were recording for their British friends what a hurricane does to America's vacation land. With the tales of bomb destruction done in London, we can't see how there would be much interest in pictures of up-rooted trees. SHATTERPROOF—We know one family in Coral Gables who was untroubled and unworried by the prospects of a big wind. The male member of the family is engaged in the replacement of broken windshields and automobile glass. Of the broken such windows he carefully cut small squares and over a period of time installed them throughout his home.