Coral Gables Riviera

CORAL GABLES RIVIERA

AN INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER 17TH YEAR NO. 2 CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA, JANUARY 23, 1942 PRICE FIVE CENTS FOR DEFENSE BUY UNITED STATES SAVINGS BONDS AND STAMPS

Government May Use Coliseum to House Defense Projects VOLPE MEMORIAL GROUP GIVEN UNTIL FEBRUARY 5 TO MAKE FIRM OFFER TO BUY STRUCTURE

The possibility that the Coral Gables Coliseum may be taken over by the government for defense purposes was expressed Tuesday when the city commission gave the trustees of the Volpe Memorial Fund until February 5 to decide whether or not they wanted to purchase the building. Commissioner W. Keith Phillips admitted the theory that since the country is at war, government needs should be given preference and that the possibility existed of bringing a large pay roll to the Gables. The Volpe group recently employed the services of Prof. F. R. Watson, acoustical expert, who reported that the building could be sucessfully converted for concert purposes. The commission stated that if the government needed the building that other causes must wait.

Caster Again Heads Local Savings Ass'n

George B. Caster was reelected president of the Coral Gables Federal Savings and Loan Association at the annual meeting held Wednesday at the Association's offices, 2501 Ponce de Leon Boulevard. Other officers returned to office included Rodney Miller and Inman Padgett, vice presidents; Marion L. Schmitz, treasurer; S. M. Sparks, secretary and Dorothy Bonner assistant secretary. Directors include, in addition to the officers, Hollis Bush, A. H. Gleason, Richard B. Killen, Dennis V. Renuart and John Sullivan. During the past year the number of share and investment accounts increased from 798 to 994 and share investments increased from $1,090,956.19 to $1,238,329.80. The Association was one of the first to qualify locally as an issuing agent for defense bonds when they went on sale on May 1, and the organization itself has invested $10,260 in the bonds. Since its organization in 1934, resources of the Association have grown from $15,317.69 to $1,444,834.72.

Don't Jump AT CONCLUSIONS!

With so many rumors and wild stories about the war going the rounds, it's easy to get confused. For safe and sane interpretations of the current scene, read what Walter Lippmann and Mark Sullivan have to say every week on the Riviera's editorial page. Humor Essential In times like these, it's necessary to have a good laugh every once in awhile. For your chuckles today and every week, read "This One's On You" and laugh with your friends about your friends. Food Costs Rising! But you can still keep the budget down by wise shopping. For food specials, see the Coral Gables Grocery ad on Page 8. For other bargains read all the advertisements carefully. Keep Posted Not only on the war, but what's going on in your own Coral Gables-every week in THE RIVIERA

Change Time February 9 Speed-Up Move To Be Noticed Little In Gables

Coral Gables yesterday took the first cognizance of the coming "day-light saving time", when City Manager A. B. Curry announced that local clocks would be moved an hour ahead at 2 a.m. February 9th. The daylight savings time was made nationwide when President Roosevelt signed the act effective until the end of the war and for not more than six months thereafter. The purpose is to achieve greater efficiency in America's war effort, and it is estimated that nationwide daylight saving time will save 500,000 kilowatt hours of power annually. The change will not be noticed much in Coral Gables, because the daily length of sunshine is more equal the year around than in more northernly latitudes.

Arabian Hospital Director to Speak

Dr. W. Harold Storm, director of the Mason Memorial Hospital, Bahrain, Arabia, will be the guest speaker at the Coral Gables Congregational Church on Sunday morning at 11 o'clock. In 1938 he made a hazardous journey around the Arabian Peninsula into unknown territory, making the first complete survey in this Moslem land, called the 'greatest of all unentered countries for mission work'. This journey is said to be the greatest since that of the missionary Livingstone. The music for this service includes the soprano solo "Love Never Faileth" (Frederick W. Root) by Mrs. C. T. McCreedy. The Church school meets from 10 to 12 a.m. The Young Peoples Group meets at 7 p.m.

Retired Army Man To Address Jaycees

Col. Fred H. Turner, U. S. Army, ret., will address the Coral Gables Junior Chamber of Commerce next Wednesday evening on the Far Eastern situation. Colonel Turner spent many years in the Phillipines. Lieut. Comm. F. Olsen of the Miami-Navy Publicity was the speaker last Wednesday, telling the Jaycees of his 30 years experience at sea.

Gableites Urged to Buy Locally Grown Products as Defense Aid

Buying of locally produced fruits and vegetables helps prosection of the war in several ways, the Defense Council of Dade County announced this week in stressing a campaign for the purchase of Dade Countians of Dade produce. This buying, Council officials pointed out, enables local growers to become more nearly self-sustaining and also gives them opportunity for planting of greater varities, thus giving this area an increased source of food supply. In case of sustained attack on South Florida, a local crop of many kinds of fruits and vegetables would go a long way toward preventing an immediate food shortage in a community where many staple foods are imported from other sections of the nation. Not only that, but the increased consumption of locally raised produce would conserve gasoline and rubber, through the reduction of the long hauls needed to bring vegetables from other states, and also bring about a reduction in the manpower hours used in driving trucks for such transportation. These steps, it was pointed out, leave the highways clearer for transportation the transportation of war and defense materials and at the same time leave hundreds of men with time that can be used to better advantage in other defense steps instead of driving trucks of vegetables and fruit to Florida. Now available at moderate prices are the following Dade-grown foods: tomatoes, stringless and lima beans, carrots, Chinese cabbage, celery, lettuce, grapefruit, oranges, limes and papayas.

Seek New Peace in Deed Tilt 3-Man Committee Studies Woman's Club Riddle

A new attempt at an amicable settlement of the differences between the City and the Coral Gables Woman's Club over the deed to the Community House was launched Tuesday when Mayor Haines, J. A. Holcomb and Jack Hoover appeared before the city commission. Stating that they represented a group of members of the Club, the trio told the commission that they were desirous of working out some settlement and avoiding further litigation in the courts. The commission reiterated to them just what it was willing to do to remedy the deed, stating that the proposals had already been presented to C. D. Benson, lawyer for the club. Before leaving the meeting, the committee stated that they would give the matter further study and take it up again later. In the meantime the bill of complaint has been filed by City Attorney Edward L. Semple and awaits the filing of Benson's answer. The commission declined to take action on a complaint of Irving J. Thomas who alleged that the information booth being operated by John Ravlin at Cocolplum Plaza was being used to sell Cicerone, with to and outside the Gables. Ravlin presented an affidavit from the secretary who operates the booth, stating that no attempt had been made to sell property there. City Manager A. B. Curry reported that he had declined a suggestion by the City of Miami that the sanitary department of the various municipalities be coordinated into one department. Curry said the idea would be to a disadvantage for this city. Informed of contemplated real estate auctions in Coral Gables, the commission took step to prevent them by drafting an ordinance and putting it on the first reading, that practically makes them prohibitive. The new law requires that any one desiring to state such an auction be not only a licensed real estate broker but a licensed auctioneer and obtain a permit at a cost of $250 for the first day and $100 for each succeeding day. The commission approved a recommendation of the Zoning Board that all lots fronting on Ponce de Leon Boulevard from Sunrise Courtly south to Bird Road be changed from a commercial section to a duplex section.

Atkinson on Job After Sick Spell

Dud Atkinson, popular promotional at the Country Club of Coral Gables, was back on the job this week after a seige at the University Hospital with a heart condition. Dud was stricken two weeks ago.

Mary Hughes Call Featured In Sponsored Symphony Concert

Mary Hughes Call, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George A. Hughes of N. Greenway Drive, a renown concert pianist, will be presented as guest artist with the University of Miami Symphony orchestra, conducted by John Bitter, at 8:30 p.m., Thursday, in the ballroom of the Miami Biltmore hotel. Sponsor of the concert is the Century Club of Coral Gables of which Mr. Hughes is founder and president. The concert is open to club members and their guests. Approximately 1500 are expected to attend. Mrs. Call, who has studied with several of the foremost concert pianists of the day, has given recitals both in this country and abroad, is noted for her sincerity of approach, her flawless technique and depth of feeling, as a musician. She appeared here as guest with the University orchestra two years ago. Mrs. Call divides her time for the most part, between New York and Chicago. The University orchestra, founded in 1926 by the late Dr. Arnold Volpe, has risen from a group of twenty instrumental players to a full orchestra of 88 musicians of professional calibre, all students at the University of Miami. John Bitter, its conductor, came to the university two years ago. He studied at the Curtis Institute of Philadelphia with William Kincaid, flute; Scalero, composition, and Fritz Reikinsberg, conducting. Formerly he was zoloist and then conductor of the Jacksonville Symphony, Bitter has completed two summers as associate conductor of the All-American Youth orchestra, of which Leopold Stokowski is director. The university orchestra is noted for its amazing rise in its short years, both under the late Dr. Volpe and Bitter. No tickets are being sold for Thursday evening's concert, which is a previously unscheduled event on the Century Club's 1942 agenda. The concert will be formal.

MARY HUGHES CALL

Needed Volunteers Listed By Dade Defense Bureau

Coral Gables residents, not already engaged in some kind of war work, have the opportunity of availing themselves of the services of the Volunteer Bureau of the Dade County Defense Council. The bureau, located in room 948 Ingraham Building, is a clearing house for volunteer activities, both in the civilian protection program and in the fields of health, welfare and recreation. It serves as a resource for all agencies needing volunteer assistance and for the volunteer who wishes to choose the service or work for which he or she is best suited. The Bureau places emphasis on putting the "right people in the right jobs". To accomplish this end, placement interviews are used in order to determine the qualifications and preferenecs of volunteers, before placement. A list of training courses is available to volunteers who desire additional training before placement. The Volunteer Bureau was set up last summer by the Council of Social Agencies, following the pattern approved by the national office of Civilian Defense. During the war the Bureau is an arm of the Defense Council, but at its conclusion the Bureau will be continued so that community activities will continue to be served by the volunteers. Needs for defense workers in Coral Gables have been listed by the Volunteer Bureau. Volunteers should apply to the Bureau, except in cases where they are specifically directed otherwise. 1. Air Raid Wardens-Volunteers should apply to Paul D. McGarry, chief district warden. 2. Fire Wardens-Men or women, volunteers are needed. Training is brief and involves no specialized knowledge or heavy labor. Volunteers should apply to Capt. John H. Hardin at the Coral Gables Fire Department. 3. Ambulance drivers, orderlies, nurses' aides and stretcher bearers to serve at times of emergency. 4. Station wagon owners willing to have their cars used as emergency ambulances are asked to register them with the Bureau. 5. Men are needed for special auto service, to be used in road patrol. Families willing to entertain service men in their homes or on boats. 7. Men or women with motorcycles for road patrol. 8. Blood bank donors. 9. Women to serve in the Filter Center. Qualifications include: no heavy employment responsibilities; no dependence who cannot be turned over to others; (Please turn to Page 4)

Mayor Rejects Miami Idea of Consolidation

Mayor Joe Whitley turned a verbal "thumbs down" on suggestion that all Dade County's municipal government functions be consolidated in one unit. The proposal was made by Mayor C. H. Reeder of Miami as a suggested manner in which local taxes might be reduced in the face of rapidly mounting federal levies to pay war costs. Whitley questioned the practicality of effecting any substantial saving through consolidation. "We certainly don't have too many employees to perform the work required," Whitley stated. "If a consolidation were effected, these functions would have to be carried on and the people would have to be put on the public payroll to carry them on. I don't think anything would be saved in Coral Gables operations." Whitley further pointed out that there's too much centralization in government now, creating delay, expense, waste and removing the office holder further from the people and their needs. Not only did the Gables mayor see eye-to-eye with other municipal heads in the area, but he questioned the practibility with combining the city's government with that of Miami, where gambling, racketeering and other forms of corruption always seem to be a major problem. "We don't want pinball and slot machines in Coral Gables and we're not going to license punchboards," he concluded.

T. A. BELL, JR. PROMOTED ADJUTANT AT RANDOLPH

Word was received here this week that T. A. Bell, Jr., had been appointed battalion adjutant at Randolph Field where he is training. Bell the son of Mr. and Mrs. T. A. Bell, 115 Avenue Milan, stood second out of a class of 750 in examinations recently conducted.

IN HOSPITAL

James H. Davidson, 1248 Coral Way, is recuperating at University Hospital, where he underwent an emergency operation yesterday.

12-Week 'U' Summer School Set Full Year's Credit Is Now Available Under Schedule

Beginning with 1942, the Summer Session of the University will run for 12 weeks instead of six as in other summers, Dr. Jay F. W. Pearson, dean of the faculty, announces. The 12 weeks will comprise two sessions of six weeks each, and students may enroll for one or both sessions. Under this new schedule of Summer Sessions, a full program carried on through three entire 12 weeks of summer study will be equivalent to the work of two regular semesters and will receive a regular school-year's credit. It will be possible therefore, Dr. Pearson points out, for a student to attend three regular school terms (September to June) and three 12-weeks Summer Sessions and graduate in three years. The primary purpose of the extended summer offerings, according to Dr. Pearson, is to enable students to shorten, but complete, their university work and meet whatever demands are made upon them by the national emergency. The curriculum of one of the six-weeks sessions will be planned, as usual, to accommodate public school teachers and University students who desire to complete their academic credits such as are usually acquired by summer study.

Legion Votes Surplus for Defense Bonds

Coral Gables American Legion Post, at its regular meeting on Wednesday evening, voted to invest all surplus post funds in Defense Bonds, following announcement to the membership that the post home at Alhambra Circle and Salzedo Street was now free and clear of all indebtedness. At the Wednesday night meeting, Finance Officer M. F. Cummings stated that the organization, which now as a membership of 348, is in position to enjoy a surplus over and above actual operating expenses, and, following approval by the executive committee, recommended that all surplus funds be invested in Defense Bonds. The vote of the membership was unanimous. The surplus funds are in addition to the sinking fund surplus. The post also voted to pay the $500 donation to the South Florida Crippled Childrens hospital by the Gables Legion Post. A series of Saturday night dances will get under way at the Legion Home on Saturday at 9 p.m. with "Roughhouse" Pachman's Orchestra furnishing the music. In addition there will be entertainment and the public has been invited to attend. A new Civilian Police Reserve Company, organized by the Legion Post at the request of city officials has been increased to six squads with a mebership of 72 men. The organization saw its first call to duty during the recent blackout test and was commended by Police Chief Lou Reeves for its efficient performance of duty. The organization which is commanded by Commander W. Edward Winegar is available for instant call to duty in emergency by City Manager Curry and Chief Reeves.

Optimists Hear Earl M. DeNoon

Earl M. DeNoon, local manager in charge of General Motors Research Department was guest speaker at the meeting of the Optimist's Club last night at the Country Club of Coral Gables. DeNoon described some of the things his company is doing and developing towards the present war from a scientific angle. Plans for the formation of a Junior Optimist Club were also discussed at the meeting.

Looting of Fourteen Homes Is Confessed; Chicago Fence Sought SOUTH MIAMI NEGRO CAUGHT AS HE ATTEMPTS TO RECOVER LOOT HIDDEN IN CACHE

Coral Gables' series of house burglaries, which have been causing local police irrepressible headaches during the past few weeks, came to an abrupt termination this week with the arrest of William Wright, South Miami negro, who confessed to the crimes. Detective Sergt. A. M. Bishop and Detective Charles Hecht, working with C. W. Craford and A. E. Akins of the Miami police, simultaneously picked up Wright, a companion and a girl friend. Wright was arrested as he returned to pick up a sack of stolen goods which he had hidden in a clump of bushes. The two were arrested in their South Miami dwelling places. Questioned by Gables officers, the negro signed a confession, admitting breaking into 14 homes at 704 Mariana, 1710 Granada Boulevard, 1405 Sorolla, 1220 Ferdinand, 1420 Ortega, 1406 Madrid, 805 Venetia, 3413 Salzedo, 209 Romano, 809 Valencia, 814 Milan, 915 Lisbon, 1002 Lisbon, 1002 Sorolla. He intimated that there were other houses, the addresses of which he "could not remember". He said that all of his burglaries were committed during daylight hours, while the homes were vacant. He would walk up to the front door and ring the bell. If anyone answered, he would inquire for a name of a maid and ask if she was working there. If no one answered, he would go to the rear door and break in. Wright first told police that all the loot had been dumped into the Coral Gables canal, but when a diver was brought to the scene and prepared to search for the articles, he admitted that he sold the jewelry to a fence in Miami who was using a jewelry store as an outlet. Further questioning revealed that some of the jewelry was sent to Chicago, and the County Sheriff's office is sending u deputy there with hopes of apprehending the Illinois "fence" and recovering the articles. Wright has been turned over to the county authorities for further questioning, following which he will be brought back to Coral Gables to point out additional houses he burgled. Referring to the burglar's method of operation, Sargeant Bishop warned local residents to view with suspicion any persons making seemingly "phony" inquiries.

WARREN LEHMAN

'Toot' Drive Successful Realtor Suggests Local Ad Fund To Follow Up Drive

According to the Miami Chamber of Commerce the "Two Toots" campaign conducted Tuesday, in which residents and visitors were urged to write letters and post cards to residents of other cities informing them that malicious or other rumors about this area were untrue, is reported to have been a success. The Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, however, has for several years urged every visitor as well as residents of the Gables to use a special stationary and envelopes furnished by the chamber in writing to friends back home, and the plan has borne results. Warren Lehman, Gables Realtor submitted a suggestion to the chamber of commerce this (Please turn to Page 4)

Jap Sub Pilots Sealed In Vessels, Says Witness

The Japs who manned the miniature submarines in the Pearl Harbor attack were sealed in their vessels and the dive bomber pilots were strapped in their planes, so that it would have been impossible for the men to escape. These were but two of the trecherous attack described by L. C. Brown, an eye-witness, at Tuesday's meeting of the Kiwanis Club at the Country Club of Coral Gables. Brown, a Miami youth, was a civilian worker at Hickman Field when the attack was made. "Practice dive bombing over the field was a regular custom of army and navy pilots," Brown stated, "so when the first wave of Jap bombers flew over, we paid no attention until the first bomb exploded." "I was working on a plane on the field, with a companion, when the first bomb landed," he stated. "I never saw the plane nor the fellow worker again." Brown said that the first planes had American flags painted on the wings and fuselages. He described how he and his companions got machine guns, as soon as the first wave of attackers had passed over, and met the second group with a hail of deadly bullets. He, personally, brought down the second trip. Brown said that he saw two of the miniature, two-man subs that were captured and that in both instances, the hatches had been welded shut after the men had gotten aboard, so that there was no possibility of them abandoning their ships. He also stated that the pilots of the planes that were shot down were strapped so securely in their seats that "bailing out" in a parachute would have been an impossibility. Miss Jean Merryfield, dancer, who is currently appearing at the Latin Quarter, told the Kiwanians of her experiences in Berlin and Italy during the first year of the war. Miss Merryfield fled the country under great difficulty. She warned that the people of the Miami Area must take air raid and blackout precautions more seriously and described how strict the German regulations were. She said that revolution in Italy was much more likely to come before any uprising in Germany. William B. Burrus of Coral Gables addressed the club on the importance of facing conditions as they are and making the best of them. He said the people of this country should develop a spirit of optimism and gratitude for the many blessings we have instead of complaining about having to give up minor luxuries and make sacrifices during wartime.