Coral Gables Riviera

Friday, October 17, 1941, page 6 (of 8)

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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 Represented in the National Advertising Field by the American Press Association, New York City SUBSCRIPTION RATES One Year by Carrier, Coral Gables and Six Months $1.25 One Year $2.00 Entered as second class matter May 21, 1926, at the Postoffice at Miami, Florida, under Act of March 3, 1879.

Volunteers Needed

"This is a terrible showing for a community as wide awake and as civic-minded as ours." Thus spoke Edward Winegar last week when he commented on the drive to secure volunteers to act as air raid wardens for Coral Gables. Strong words, but nevertheless true. For when Chairman Winegar made the comment, only four Gableites had volunteered to serve in this defense project. The drive had been on for over a month, with every organization asked to supply volunteers. Yet only 30 prospects have been presented and only four of these have said they will serve. This is not a project to be greeted with apathy. The air raid wardens are a vital cog in our national and local defense set-up. It seems incredible that so few are willing to serve. It is to be hoped that within the next few days Mr. Winegar will be flooded with volunteers. Surely, eligible Gableites are not going to pass up this opportunity to serve their country and their community.

Start Planning Now

Almost eleven weeks remain until Christmas, but already Coral Gables business people are busy with plans to make this the biggest holiday period the community has ever experienced. Committees have been appointed, supplies have been ordered for decorating the business district and a program is being formulated, which will supply different types of Christmas music every day during the 10-day period prior to Christmas. The business district, when decorations are completed, will be so beautiful that it will be bound to attract sightseers from all over the district. Carols and other Christmas music will fill the air through loud speaker systems. It will be well worth seeing and hearing. In connection with the Christmas plans, residents will be asked to decorate their homes, so that the whole community will be permeated with the Christmas spirit. Attractive prizes will be offered for the most beautifully decorated homes. There will be separate prizes for small houses and large houses, so that every home owner will have a chance to participate. It's not too early to start thinking about decorations now. Step out in the front yard and look your house over. It won't be hard to have your home aglow with Christmas lights and simply beaming with Yuletide spirit. Start planning it today.

The Playground Plans

If plans announced last week by Mayor Joe Whitley are carried through to completion, Coral Gables will eventually have neighborhood playgrounds spotted throughout the residential district. To obtain the land for these parks, the city plans to foreclose on lots on which taxes on real property are delinquent. These taxes are levied by the city, and the foreclosure is on unpaid taxes. A city's major income is derived through taxes on real property. These are levied on all who own land, without discrimination. It seems only just, therefore, to foreclose on property owners who refuse to pay these taxes. After all, it will give those who do pay taxes additional benefits for their tax dollar and at the same time penalize those who refuse to pay. Ample notification should be given property owners before foreclosure proceedings are started so that the excuse "I didn't know about it" cannot be used.

Join the Chamber

This week the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce launched a drive for members, with the goal of having every business person in Coral Gables on the membership rolls. In launching the drive, President Frank Holley pointed out that only 50 per cent of the membership are Coral Gables organizations. When we consider the fact that every business in the community, whether it is a member or not, receives benefit from the Chamber's activities, the fact that half of the dues are paid by non-Gables organizations seems hardly fair. Over a long period of years, the Chamber of Commerce has proved its value to the community. Every store and business should support it and display the membership plaque.

ON THE FLY

by Jim Moore JIM MOORE They had graduation exercises out at the University on Tuesday for 196 youngsters who will eventually become the eyes of the American and British air forces. These lads underwent rigorous training under the guidance of Pan-American Airways instructors and are now qualified aerial navigators. The graduation exercises by no means spell finis to the navigation courses at the University. By the first of next week approximately 200 new cadets will arrive in Coral Gables for the same instruction. The majority of these boys will be British. All of which brings up a point. About a month and a half ago we got all worked up about seeing that these boys were made to feel at home. A committee was organized to foster the idea of having Gableites invite groups of the cadets into their homes, to the beach and on fishing trips. Everything went fine. One week-end over 200 boys were entertained by Gableites. The average number that were invited out over the week-end was about 150. These boys, many miles away from their homes, enjoyed these new contacts. Lasting friendships were made. Many found what they called "second homes" in Coral Gables. Once the ball got rolling, it wasn't necessary for the committee to urge local residents to entertain the boys. After the contacts were made, invitations came regularly to the mutual enjoyment of hosts and guests. But now this particular group has completed its training and has gone. Into the Gables pours a new group of boys. These new fellows are complete strangers. They have no contacts with local people. They are far away from their own kin and many of them will be very lonesome. Consequently, it is again necessary for us to form new contacts with these boys. Invite this new group into our homes and help ease the pangs of homesickness that are bound to envelop any young fellow who has been abruptly uprooted from his home ties and transplanted into a strange country. The entertainment committee, headed by Mrs. Milton B. Garris, met this week to discuss the situation. The group was fortunate in having the advice of Mrs. Raymond Pawley, who seems to have successfully found the key to the hearts of these English boys away from home. "Entertainm," says Mrs. Pawley, "should keynote all entertainment for these boys." She explains that in England they are used to dropping in on friends at tea time and that it they find homes in the Gables where they know they are welcome, that they will appreciate it more than words can express. The lads who have been at the Pawley home will never forget their hostess. She practically turned the house over to them, let them fix their own snacks in the kitchen—and most important of all—allowed them to make tea the English way. It seems that the Britishers like their tea much stronger than we are used to drinking it. Another important thing, Mrs. Pawley points out, is to have them meet young people their own age. We brought out that fact in this column before, when the first group of cadets arrived, but we feel that it cannot be emphasized too strongly. It's only natural for young people to want to meet others their own age and Gables hosts and hostesses can do the boys a big favor by inviting a group of young men and women to meet the cadets. Bear in mind that it's not necessary to go to a lot of expense to entertain the youths. They'll be happy to find friendly welcomes and people with whom they can talk. It would be a wonderful tribute to the hospitality of Coral Gables if next week-end found every new cadet in a Coral Gables home. If you wish to open your home to a group of them, all you have to do is phone Foster After at the University of Miami and he will make all the arrangements. We did a swell job in making the last group of cadets feel at home; let's do the same thing for these new boys. We'll get just as much pleasure out of it as they will.

It's a Fact---

WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN USED TO MAKE SPEECHES HERE TO INDUCE PROSPECTS TO BUY CORAL GABLES REAL ESTATE. Back in the days when Coral Gables was still a real estate development, the silver-tongued orator was brought here by the Coral Gables Corporation to use his spellbinding talents to eulogize the Coral Gables that was to be. Thousands flocked to hear him and buy lots after being filled with his word magic.

Harvest of 1941

(WNU Service) OVER THERE HERE

Dollars and Sense

By ROMEYN W. SMITH Investment Consultant A volume could be written on the subject of diversification. In discussing this subject, let us go back again to our question, "What comprises investment management?" You will recall that three main considerations are involved; 1. Types of securities. 2. Industries. 3. Individual corporations. Very poor investment results may be traced to Mr. Smith of type diversification. Ordinarily, as a rule of thumb for the layman, a diversification of one-third of his account into each of the three major security types would serve as a starting point — one-third in cash equivalents, one-third in long-term bonds and preferred stocks and one-third in common stocks. These percentages could be varied as conditions warrant. More investors unconsciously neglect industry diversification than the other two kinds. The ditches along the sides of Investment Boulevard are filled with financial wrecks who refused to, or neglected to, or did not realize that they should, diversify as to industry. Suppose we review the case of James Simpson, who was worth $250,000 back in 1920 Simpson had no use for stocks and bonds. He wanted his money in "something which he could see." Farm land was his specialty. He was born on a farm. Grew up on a farm. He knew farming. And he invested in Land. Simpson made farm mortgage loans. He owned land, fully paid for, and he owned equities in thousands of acres more. Moreover, Simpson always had a round sum of cash in the bank. Ordinarily, Simpson was adequately diversified as to type. His mortgages were the equivalent of bonds (except for marketability); his fully-paid-for farms were common stocks owned outright (except for marketability); his equities in other lands were common stocks carried on margin (except for marketability), and his cash in bank was his "cash equivalent position." But all of his investments were in the same industry. When agriculture began to have its troubles, Simpson began to have his. Income stopped and he had to advance money for taxes and payments on the farms which were not fully paid for, and for taxes on those he owned outright. Next, the bank, also dependent upon agriculture, failed, depleting his cash fund. Next his farm debtors failed to pay their interest. Simpson raised what he could on sacrifice sales of his mortgages in an endeavor to hang on. But was no use. He went down, and out—surely a martyr to a poor raus: failure to diversify as to industry. Hundreds of railway executives today actually are dependent upon their salaries because they made all of their investments in "the only industry they knew." It is safe to say that anyone who has disregarded so fundamental an investment rule cannot qualify as an investment expert. And yet, the general impression is that men high in the walks of business are supreme in investment judgment. Each year many investors, the country over, lose tion diversification. We knowf fxl-e shrdluh their big or little fortunes by disregarding individual corporation diversification. We know of a group of insurance executives who paid, on a subscription basis, from $150 to $150 per share for their company's stock during the 1920s. The stock sold for $6 per share in 1932 and today sells around $40. The minimum loss of $60 per share represents the company's dividends of $2.00 per share for 30 years. From a loyalty viewpoint, it is laudable for employees to invest all of their savings in their company. But it is very poor investment judgment. Sometimes geographical diversification is advisable, particularly when companies in which you invest are restricted to a single locality. However, if the larger corporations, whose operations are nation-wide, if not world-wide, are used as investment media, it would not seem necessary to pay much attentoin to geographical diversification.

Too Late to Classify

By RUSSELL KAY I doubt if any organization in the state has done more to break down sectionalism and create a spirit of friendly co-operation than the Florida Publicity and Public Relations Association. This enterprising group, made up of men and women who devote their time to attracting and entertaining tourists or who represent firms or organizations interested in the welfare and advancement of the state, has taken its place as a dominant force in Florida's development. At the annual meeting of the association, held in Jacksonville last week-end, delegates representing every interest and every section, talked and planned, not of their own selfish interests but of Florida as a whole. Welcoming the group, Mayor John T. Alsop, Jr., paid tribute to Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Pensacola and other points and stated that it was the sincere desire of the "Gateway City" to work hand in hand with all sections of the state to the end that all would grow and prosper. Delegates representing such outstanding attractions as Marine Studios, McKee Jungle Gardens, Wakulla Springs, Oriental Gardens, Silver Springs and others, exchanged ideas, collaborated on their promotion plans, and pledged themselves to work together in publicizing all sections and all attractions. Bill Dupree of Dupree Gardens, near Tampa, announced that he was planning the construction of an attractive lodge on his property where an information desk would be maintained and visitors would find literature, translights and displays describing every worthwhile Florida attraction. He pointed out that people come to Florida to be entertained and that the more beauty spots they visited and the more pleasure they experienced while here, the sooner they would return and bring others with them. Mr. and Mrs. George Clark, Jr., who operate Oriental Gardens at Jacksonville, entertained the group at a cocktail party and explained how they alwaysurge visitors to be sure and see all of Florida and visit the lower East Coast, where they will find such unique attractions as the Rare Bird Farm, Monkey Jungle, the North Miami Zoo, Parrot Jungle, and the like. In the guest house attractive posters, pictures and translights on every hand urged one to be sure and see this or that point of interest—Bok Tower, Cypress Gardens, Sanlando Tropical Park, or the Old Plantation and Turpentine Still. Charming hosts, the Clarks gave visiting attraction owners an opportunity to inspect beautiful and impressive Oriental Gardens, developed on the south shore of the majestic St. Johns, and which ranks as one of the outstanding show places and a "must" attraction not only for tourists but for home folks as well. Representatives of transportation companies, editors of travel and resort pages of large metropolitan papers, feature writers, newsreel editors and tourist bureau directors attending the meeting told of the nation-wide interest in Florida today and pledged their full co-operation in working with Florida publicity and public relations folks in publicizing the state in every way consistently possible. All expressed belief that the coming season would be a record-breaker that would tax our facilities to the utmost. It is not felt that the alleged gasoline shortage will serve to retard travel to any extent. It has not done so as far as summer travel and resorts in other states is concerned and should not in Florida's case. Altogether the three-day convention was a great success. The spirit of unity, friendship and cooperation evidenced throughout the meeting, with north, south, east and west all pulling together,

In Our Mail

Editor, The Riviera: Coral Gables may well be pleased with the prompt and efficient cleanup of the debrii following our recent hurricane. Although the damage was not so great as might have resulte dfrom a first-class storm, nevertheless, there was a vast amount of litter to be hauled away. To have most of that removed and the trees and shrubbery on our parkways pruned and put in order, all within a week or soafter the storm, is deed a credit to our Park Department and to our City Manager. Results like that don't just happen; they come from planning and aggressiveness. The people of Coral Gables can well extend a word of thanks to all those who had a part in this work, so promptly and so well done. S. DUFFIELD HOPKINS, Jr.

This & That About You

PROPS NEEDED—A friend of our's was giving his son a severe scolding and noticed the lad watching him intently. When he had completed the tirade, the lad said, "Gee, daddy, you make funny faces when you're mad." Asked by papa to demonstrate, the boy replied, "I can't. I haven't got a moustache." * * * TRIPLE TOW—Here's another tale that blew in from last week's storm. The warnings caught George Shaw with the motor in his boat torn out and no way of getting it up the canal to shelter. Gus Lancaster volunteered to tow him, so off they started. Coming across the bay Gus broke his rudder, stranding both boats until Bob Munroe came by and hauled both boats to safety. * * * TALKING DOG—Hall Codd tells us about one of his customers who came into the store the other day and ordered two pounds of dog meat. As he was leaving he turned and admonished the butcher, "If there's any complaint about this meat being tough you'll hear about it." * * * HEN PARTY—Three wives, Mrs. Bill Leach, Mrs. H. G. Robinson and Mrs. Thomas Poole, were left unattended last week end when their husbands left town to attend football games. Not to be outdone by their gallavanting mates, the gals got together at the Leach residence and threw a hen party with the goal in mind to do as much elbow bending as their husbands would probably be doing at the same moment. * * * CUSTODIAN—We're wondering if A. O. Renuart was delegated to perform the same duties at the state Elks convention in Miami last week end that he executed so successfully last year. Because A. O. is a non-imbiber, he was given complete charge of the giggle-water supply, and no one could get a drink without a signed requisition. * * * DEMANDS ATTENTION—When we called upon Mr. and Mrs. Ralph McCracken the other day we were properly introduced to their dachshund pup Eric. After patting the pup everybody got engrossed in the conversation and paid no attention to the dog. Eric stood this lack of attention for just a few minutes and then got out a rubber bone with bells on it, trotted to the center of the room and shook it vigorously until he had again gained the spotlight. * * * SOUVENIR—We think that the John Halifaxes should be awarded the fur-lined bathtub for bringing back the wackiest souvenir ever to be transported back to Florida from a vacation trip. Don't be surprised if you see John or Eunice lumbering down the Boulevard on a pair of snowshoes which they purchased from the Indians in Northern Canada. * * * SHOOT-THE-CHUTE—Dr. Art Weiland, when he was in Connecticut this summer, was inveigled into his first (and last, he says) ride on a roller-coaster. When the thrilling trip was over, one of his daughters, who sat next to him, said, "Why, daddy, you were sitting all over me." * * * KOFFEE KLATCH—We were talking with Robert Schneider, proprietor of the Coral Gables Grocery, the other day over a cup of coffee when the thought occurred to us that Mr. Schneider must love coffee. The thought came to us because he has a cup of coffee with practically everyone, salesmen and otherwise, who come in to talk business. Mr. Schneider says he really does like coffee; that frequently he has four or five cups a morning talking business with visitors. Occasionally, when he has a big deal on, he has as many as five or six cups of coffee with just one visitor. "Naturally," said Mr. Schneider, "the coffee must be the best in order for me to withstand—even enjoy—this amount of coffee. I have experimented with hundreds and hundreds of blends of coffee until at last I found one which was not only satisfactory but good. The customers who drink it think it's pretty good, too." * * * GABLES-CONSCIOUS—Alvie Lindberg had her civic pride put to a real test last week when she attended the meeting of the Florida Commercial Secretaries Association in Ocala. At the luncheon delegates had to find their places at the table through identification of snapshots of their home town. Mrs. Lindberg found hers O. K.—a picture of a couple fishing from the banks of the Inland Waterway. * * * EXPENSIVE DINNER—The Kiwanis fish fry last week proved rather expensive to Hiliard Willis. During the meal the group was indulging in a little close harmony with Hiliard keeping time on the table with his fist. Unnoticed, his wrist watch slipped around and when the song was ended he found he had beat away the crystal and the minute hand in three-quarter time. * * * QUARRY COMES HOME—Imagine the surprise on the fact of Dr. L. T. Fitzgibbon when he gazed out his front door the other day to see a govey of quail proudly marching by.