Coral Gables Historical Archive
Coral Gables Riviera
Friday, December 19, 1941, page 4 (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 4-1634 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.
One Way to Get It
Now, more than ever before in these fast moving times, our country needs money—money to carry the fight to those who imposed it upon us. Washington is probing new ways to get money for this big effort, searching for new things to tax. At the risk of a frown from the Church we suggest that we take gambling out of its hiding—it's there all right and will be no matter what we do—and impose a heavy tax upon it. Much has been said about the suppression of gambling, but you and I know that gambling will not be banished but will merely go into hiding. If those who come to Florida to spend a vacation want to risk their money on the turn of a wheel or a card, why not let them? Why not license gambling establishments and charge heavily for the license? Instead of tribute going to police and other enforcement officials let's have legal tribute going into the coffers of our war chest. There seems, to our mind, to be little difference between betting two dollars on the capabilities of a horse, a dog or a Jai-ali player and betting two dollars that our favorite number will be covered on a roulette wheel. Yet we are happy to take a nice slice of what is passed through the mutuel windows at the race tracks. Where's Government's share of the melon which has been and will be sliced nightly at gambling establishments in the area? It will be, you know, whether secretly or openly. The gambling instinct is irrepressive; it is present in a mild or marked degree in each and every one of us. For years we have permitted millions of dollars to go overseas for the Irish Sweepstakes despite U. S. laws which prohibited and do prohibit it. We have been content to nab the lucky ones and levy our income tax on their winnings. A sort of legal tightrope walking we call it. It's wrong, but if you win we want our share. A national lottery, government sponsored, right now would bring much needed millions for defense. We can't seem to be convinced that law, to be law, must be observed. Our legal decrees against lotteries and gambling appear merely on the statute books. All around us are people and devices shouting "double or nothing" and all around us are people answering the call—to the enrichment of a few and to the loss of the government who might be wise at this time to recognize an existing evil and to levy a heavy toll upon it. Far be it from us not to know and understand that there is a moral issue involved but we don't give keys to the housebreaker nor weapons to the murderer. We catch the former by hiding in the dark, the latter by using his own weapon against him. We're not asking that government recognize an existing evil and attempt by control to limit the evil for the present and eventually eliminate it. We need millions for defense! This is one way to get it!
TODAY By Jim Moore
JIM MOORE This is the beginning of Christmas Week. Up and down the boulevards of Coral Gables multicolored lights twinkle. Carols and chimes fill the air as shoppers jostle merrily through the stores, buying gifts for family and friends. In hundreds of homes throughout the city, tiny fists clutch pencils and scrawl out letters to Santa Claus. Closets are mysteriously locked, opened only to receive interesting looking packages. To all outward appearances, Coral Gables is preparing to celebrate Christmas, just as it has gotten ready for dozens of other Yuletides before it. Yet, on all this bustle—all this merrymaking, there is cast an ominous shadow — the shadow of a paradox. For here in Coral Gables, as in all other parts of the United States, we are busily preparing to observe the birthday of the Prince of Peace in a world that has been apparently turned to worship the god of war. That shadow is in evidence everywhere. Over the busy shoppers in the streets can be heard the constant droning of war planes on patrol—ever watchful for the coming of enemy bombers. The very loudspeakers, through which now pour the dulcet tones of Christmas carols, can be converted in a moment's notice into air raid warning signals. Think of it—in a split second, the melodius strains of "Joy to the World" can be turned into the banshee howling of a siren. As we watch the twinkling Christmas lights, we hear plans for blackouts shouted from the radio loudspeakers. It's a strange picture—Christmas 1941. Somehow we can't help but wonder if man, in his headlong race of progress, hasn't forgotten the babe that lay in the manger of Bethlehem. Looking at it one way, the words "Peace on Earth, Goodwill toward Men," ring a bit hollow. But that's looking at it ONE way. Over at the fire station, Coral Gables' smoke eaters are spending their spare moments in a workshop, repairing toys, painting wagons, making up Christmas packages. Their work is interrupted every now and then as a resident drops in to add to the pile of playthings. These are not for their own children, but for the boys and girls of entire strangers . . . men and women who are less fortunate and who but for the firemen, wouldn't be able to have any kind of a Christmas. The other day a group of local ladies bought 400 presents—not expensive articles, but little things. The money they used was donated by certain clubs in the community. These little presents will be given on Christmas Eve to a group of men who are hundreds of miles away from home. British boys and girls who feel the twinges of homesickness most astutely at this time of the year. For them, these local people are planning a party on Christmas Eve, with a tree, refreshments, singing and the presenting of the presents. The presents, as we said before, won't be much, but they will show that Coral Gables hasn't forgotten the R. A. F. cadets at Christmas time. Next Tuesday, the men's luncheon clubs of the community will hold a joint meeting. To this meeting, each member will bring a toy. Although these articles will no doubt cause merriment among the men—that is not their prime purpose. For they too, will find their way to the Firemen's Christmas tree to bring untold joy to the hearts of some poor little tots. Coral Gables' churches, too, are planning to take care of capacity crowds during Christmas week. Denominations and sects seem to fade into almost non-exsistance at Christmas time when folks gather to give thanks to God for sending His Son as our Saviour. And so, piercing this shadow of war and hate is the bright light of love, shining as a ray of hope in a world that many have given up as doomed. As long as one man pauses for a moment to think of the plight of an unfortunate neighbor and to do some thing about it; as long as people still gather to praise the coming of the Prince of Peace; as long as men think of other men as fellow human beings, the world is not lost. We read a piece the other day in which the writer, discussing these same things, also saw the ray of hope, nurtured by the wills of decent men. We rather liked the way he put it, "We like to think that, quietly, out of these racking times there may stem a new dignity, never yet attained, for all mankind; rooted in Faith and flowering, not in mere tolerance or respect, but in kindliness and sympathy; in a real wish to understand our fellow men." So as the sacred hush of Christmas Eve approaches, let us pause momentarily as a nation at war, to fill our hearts with warmth and kindness for our fellowmen and to say, as Dickens' Tiny Tim said— MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY!
Own a Tennis Court? Then Here's an Idea
Here's a thought for Gableites who own private tennis courts and other recreational facilities. It has been brought to The Riviera's attention that the R. A. F. cadets are much in need of recreational facilities. So if you have a court or a pool, why not invite the cadets over to use it? One Gables resident has offered to provide racquets and other necessary equipment.
Dollars and Sense
By ROMEYN W. SMITH Investment Consultant Have you ever heard the expression, "Ask your banker." By "banker" I mean the commonly accepted use of the term—the commercial banker. When the bankers (for we presume they started it) began to use the advertising slogan, "Ask your banker", I am sure they had in mind questions regarding the conduct of the customer's business, his local real estate investments, etc. Why or how the banker should be credited with special knowledge in problems of investment management, always has been a puzzle to me. A banker is not a person to idolize, especially if the subject is located among marble pillars and mahogany desks, practically forced bankers to give investment advice, regardless of their own wishes in the matter. Mr. Smith A banker might say, defensively, "Oh, yes, New York Central is a good stock," but if asked why he thought it would perform better in the future than DuPont, he probably would shrug his shoulders. As a matter of cold fact, running a commercial bank is quite a job in itself; and it has no more relation to the administration of a private investor's account than has the operation of a pawn shop. All three deal in dollars, but that is about as far as the relationship goes. The commercial banker chiefly is interested in determining whether your note is a good security to accept in exchange for $1000 of his depositors' money. After that he is interested in finding a source of investment for his surplus funds, for which the ever important consideration is constant liquidity and immediate marketability. Futhermore, in his bank's investments, the banker is aiming at an entirely different goal than is the private investor. The banker's liabilities are all in dollars, i. e., when you deposit your money with him, he agrees to pay so many dollars. The private investor's problem is entirely different. He is saving money for what it will buy him or his heirs. Prices of things change, as you have noted in our prior articles on inflation. If you invest the same way the bank does, you are likely to be badly disappointed. We have seen, in our brief study of inflation, how important it is to maintain our dollar purchasing power. The above examples serve again to illustrate how far apart are the problems of bank investment and individual investnies. We are sorry, and we know the bankers are, that they ever stepped out of their own province to engage in the investment business, either directly or through the media of investment company affiliates. Prior to that misstep, the banker could at least say that he didn't know; but, in the investment business himself, and with a list of securities to sell, he could not dodge the responsibility of extending his advice, good on local matters, to include a subject for which he was, to say the least, poorly prepared. But that is all over now. The latest banking act forces the separation if all investmnt affillates from their parent banks and leaves at least the national bank out of the investment business, except for municipal bonds. The wise banker will do well to avoid the sale of securities, even of municipals. Another objection we would have to taking investment advice from commercial bankers is that they are not paid for giving it. If they are right, they receive nothing. If they are wrong, they are called unpleasant names, usually behind their backs, and they might also lose a good depositor. Our experience has been that free investment advice, in the long run, usually is the most expensive advice. Would you ask a doctor how to solve your legal problems?
Miami Area Is Seen Nation's Morale Booster
(Continued from Page 1) tizens who can afford to travel, to the highest point and I believe we will have a most excellent season. Further more, the cancelling of racing in California and the war situation generally, will find many former California visitors seeking what the Miami area offers in sunshine and amusements. "Even right now the City of Miami publicity department is using this same argument in their national publicity, agreeing with my statement along the same lines, last week; therefore, I urge our local people and those visitors with us in writing to friends back home to suggest that they come down here and relax during the cold weather back there. "If the above reflections were not partly true, the rail, bus and air lines serving the Miami area would not be booked up solid and far ahead of last year at this same time, according to statements of travel officials. "In order to answer the hotel accomodation inquiries now being received by your Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, rates of all hotels in the city have been mimeographed on one sheet and are mailed to inquiries in order to facilitate early delivery. "Again let me urge none of us to be pessimistic over the war's outcome or the future of our nation or our own lovely area." Anderson Optimistic If it is true that history repeats itself, hotels in the greater Miami area should have no fear of their season this year, is the opinion of George C. Anderson, manager of the Casa Loma Hotel. During the first World War, Mr. and Mrs. Anderson leased a small summer resort hotel in Wisconsin, although they felt as did other operators that business that year would be "shot" on account of the conflict. To their surprise, hotel business throughout that entire resort area was most excellent but was of an entirely different type of visitors. Those spending their summers in the lakes area were mostly women and children, seeking recreation and relaxation while their husbands and fathers were busy in war industry. According to Anderson, the Greater Miami area should feel the same effect this winter, with one exception and that is those husbands and fathers can visit their families with much greater ease than in those days owing to the fast methods of transportation we now enjoy. "I am not a bit pessimistic over our winter season," Anderson declared. Chapman Not Worried Milton Chapman, manager of the Miami Biltmore Hotel stated Thursday that they were going ahead with the previously arranged plans for the winter season and that Biltmore officials were not worried in the least over the season's prospects. "Our holiday season is entirely satisfactory, and is as was expected based upon past years. Our real winter season has never started full tilt until about January 20, and reservations on hand now and coming in daily show that we should enjoy a better season than last year," Chapman declared. The Miami Biltmore is now carrying on its payrolls over 375 employees, and none of the regular employees have been let out temporarily, according to Chapman. "The Miami Biltmore has a standard to go by and would not by any means discharge employees brought down here just because of a temporary lull in business," he said. Mr. Chapman further stated that, contrary to rumors, the Biltmore had had only one reservation cancelled on account of the war and that was from a man connected with a defense industry who could not get away. He explained, however that a convention of newspaper publishers scheduled for last week had been cancelled when war was declared, and that two other conventions postponed their meet until next year.
On Behalf of The Employees of THE CITY OF CORAL GABLES We Wish You a MERRY CHRISTMAS and a MOST HAPPY NEW YEAR
JOE W. WHITLEY, Mayor WALLACE A. BELL THOMAS C. MAYES W. KEITH PHILLIPS ANDREW HEALY COMMISSIONERS A. B. CURRY City Manager GEORGE N. SHAW Director of Finance
This ONE'S ON YOU
WRONG PAGE—Mary Clifton was in a hurry to get to the Miami Open matches last wanted to make sure she had her entry list. As she was leaving the house, she grabbed the paper and clipped furiously. Arriving at the course, she was watching the pros tee off when a companion asked if he might glance at the entry list. Mary started to hand it over, then paused. In her haste she had clipped the casualty list from Pearl Harbor. PAPER PROJECT—Mrs. Raymond Pawley will be glad to learn, via The Riviera, that the city is acting as the collection agency for paper in Coral Gables. Last week she heard a radio broadcast urging housewives to "save paper for defense". She accumulated a large supply and then began wonder what to do with it. The Dade County Defense Council could give her no information. The Red Cross was equally uninformed, but did suggest she call the incinerator. There she found her answer. "Just put it in your trash can like you always do, lady," she was told. Then as an afterthought, the voice at the incinerator asked, "You have a trash can, haven't you?" FINDER'S KEEPERS—Dan Boone, manager of the Gables Theatre, has finally found out what to do with the unclaimed wallets that gather dust in his office. Eight or ten of them, all empty, had been cluttering up the office for about a year until this week, when Dan had a stroke of genius. In each one he inserted a card in the identification compartment saying "This Is Your Luck Day". Then in the money compartment, he put a slip of paper saying, "Bring this to the Gables Theatre and get a free ticket to see "All That Money Can Buy". The wallets were then scattered about the streets of the business district. Pretty clever promotion, we calls it. BATTERIES, JIMMY?—Jimmy Santacroce, who is offering $25 in merchandise to the first four people who buy $1,000 worth of defense bonds, is also plugging for defense in another way. Jimmy had 1,000 red, white and blue stickers printed, saying, "America will not be caught with hen batteries..down", which he is distributing. Copies are being sent to Roosevelt and LaGuardia. go up in flames—the only Pan-Am craft that was lost. "So there you have the high spots. I can't tell you more because of the blanket of precautionary silence, but our Pan-Am stations still report from Manila, Singapore Wake Midway and the South Pacific 'Standing By'." All America has cause to be thankful for the courageous pioneering done by Pan-American in charting and routing the airways of the Pacific. The knowledge and information gained is worth its weight in gold to our military effort. You can rest assured that American commercial aviation will do its part—ready, alert and Pacific 'Standing By.'"