Coral Gables Riviera

CORAL GABLES RIVIERA

AN INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER 17TH YEAR NO. 3 CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA, JANUARY 30, 1942 PRICE FIVE CENTS FOR DEFENSE BUY UNITED STATES SAVINGS BONDS AND STAMPS

NEW COUNTY UNIT PLAN TO BE TOLD

Reeder, Shaw to Discuss County Unit Plan at Lions' Meeting Wednesday CITY FINANCE DIRECTOR WILL MATCH WORDS WITH MIAMI MAYOR ON CONTROVERSY

Mayor Cliff Reeder of Miami will discuss the merits of his controversy-provoking County Unit Plan with George N. Shaw, Coral Gables Director of Finance, Wednesday noon at the Lions Club luncheon at the Country Club of Coral Gables. Exact details of the Reeder plan, which has brought a storm of protest from Dade County's smaller communities, have not yet been divulged and this may be the first opportunity for the citizens to hear exactly what the Miami executive has in mind. Shaw was delegated yesterday to present the Coral Gables angle by Mayor Joe Whitley. Reeder accepted an invitation extended by Albert E. Harum, Riviera publisher, on behalf of the Lions Club. Reeder said that he would be glad to come, providing doctor's orders did not prevent him from so doing. The Mayor has been confined to his bed the last four days. In event that he has not completely recovered, he will try to send a representative, he said. Reeder's plan took a thorough lambasting Monday evening when mayors and other officials of all the communities in Dade County, excepting Miami, met at the South Miami Community House to discuss the plan. Reeder was criticized for not consulting the neighboring communities before advancing the plan, and was asked, by resolution, to release details of his idea as soon as possible. The majority of the officials present expressed the opinion that the plan was not practical at this time. They further stated that they had no desire to have their communities linked in any way with Miami's political structure. Reeder lashed back at his critics, following the meeting, saying that any plan becomes complicated when obstructions are thrown in its way.

From Rhode Island

Dr. and Mrs. Irving Farrell of Pawtuckett, R. I., have arrived for a seasonal visit at the Antilla Hotel.

The Voice of The Law

Ever been bowled out by a traffic cop? Then you'll be interested in Coral Gables' new Voice of the Police Department," as described in "Our Town" on Page 6.

The Reeder Plan

Will be discussed here next Wednesday, and in the story on this page. For more information about the County Unit Plan read the editorial column.

Soft Stuff

That's what mattresses are supposed to be, but when they get old, they're liable to get lumpy. Now you can trade 'em in. See the Virginia House ad in this issue.

The Lowdown

On the social whirl is given to you in an intimate, chatty manner in Helen Reynolds' Gablesgrams on Page 3. THIS WEEK IN YOUR RIVIERA

African Adventures Told by Hoffman

His adventures as a mining engineer in the diamond fields of Africa was the theme of an address made Wednesday by James N. Hoffman at the Lions Club luncheon at the Country Club of Coral Gables. Dr. Glenn S. Clapp was in charge of the program.

Gables Jail Is Reinforced Following Prisoners' Escape

The next inmates of the Coral Gables jail who endeavor to escape by the same route as Alex Kerr and Lance Williams had better get a shot from Popeye's spinach machine first. Williams and Kerr got away early Sunday morning by filing away a protective device on their cell door and opening it with a coat hanger, and then forcing the back door of the building. But there is no more back door. Following the jail break, it was ordered bricked up, and now a solid wall blocks exit by that route. During an exercise period, the two Federal prisoners fastened a clothes hanger to the bottom of the door where it could not be seen by the jailer. Then they managed to secretly file away a protective latch, using a file made from a clock spring. When the cell door was closed, the hidden coat hanger prevented it from shutting securely, although the latch fell into place. Waiting until early Sunday morning, the prisoners raised the hanger until it lifted the latch and allowed the door to open. They then used a tool made from a spoon to whittle the wood away from the lock on the back door and battered back the keeper. They are still at large, the object of the nation-wide Federal man hunt.

Mrs. Call Well Received In Century Club Concert

Mary Hughes Call, one of this country's foremost pianists, held her audience spellbound at last night's concert, sponsored by the Century Club of Coral Gables, where she appeared as guest artist with the University of Miami Symphony orchestra, conducted by John Bitter. The orchestra, playing a repeat program from a recent concert, received round after round of applause, as the youthful Mr. Bitter again proved his talents to an audience of more than 1,000. The deeply moving "Unfinished Symphony", by Franz Schubert, and the lovely "Emperor Waltz" of Johann Strauss, both were enthusiastically received by Century Club members and their guests, as was Claude Debussy's "Festivals". Mrs. Call selected the Concerto Number Five for Piano and Orchestra of Camille Saint-Saens, in three movements. Mrs. Call's fine technique as a musician and her sure poise combine to offer the most in music. It was Mrs. Call's fourth appearance with the university orchestra, which has grown from a handful of musicians organized by the late, beloved Dr. Arnold Volpe, into a full symphony orchestra of some eighty players of professional calibre. Just how much Dr. Volpe did for music in this area never was more evident than last night. Mr. Bitter is a worthy successor to him and should go far. Following the concert, Mr. and Mrs. George A. Hughes, parents of the guest artist, introduced their daughter at a reception in the main lounge of the Miami Biltmore hotel. Guests, including the board of governors and officers of the Century Club of Coral Gables, trustees of the University of Miami, members of the orchestra and a few friends, later were entertained at a supper in the main dining room at the hotel. Mr. Hughes, founder and president of the Century club, also is a trustee of the university.

Murray Dancers To Appear At Country Club

The Country Club of Coral Gables' members will have a special treat Saturday night at the regular club dance, when the Arthur Murray Dancers of New York and The Flamingo Hotel, give interpretations of the latest steps. Under the direction of John Miller, the Murray Dancers appearing are Miss Emily Wall, Miss Frances Joannes, Miss Ethel Sayres, Allen Wallace and Rolfe Simmonsen. The three couples will give exhibitions of the "Rumba", the "Brazilian Samba" and the "Marcha". Officers and cadets stationed at Opa Locka Flying Field and their dates numbering about 40 will also be special guests at the dance. The group will banquet in the red room preceding the party, of which Cadet Richard Wagner is in charge.

Book Drive For Victory Under Way Gableites Urged To Contribute For Service Men

Service men all over the United States, on the seas, and in battle zones will read during their leisure hours books now being collected by voluntary contributions of citizens of Coral Gables and Dade County as part of the Victory Book campaign, a national drive to obtain 10,000,000 books by February 12. Miss Margaret Beaton, librarian of the Coral Gables public library, is in charge of sorting the books contributed and acts as director of other librarians of the county in that work, and Mrs. Harry Bellenger of Miami is chairman of the Dade campaign. All fire stations, libraries, and theatres are accepting donated books, which voluntary trucks bring either to sorting centers or to WPA headquarters for sorting. Scientific and mathematical books as well as ordinary arithmetics are in demand among the service men, whose ranks for the book drive include sailors in the merchant marine as well as the government branches, but travel, fiction, and murder mystery stories are equally popular. The guide-book to foreign lands often called-for in the last war have been replaced by interest in general education and entertainment. Always excepting books too old, too childish, or too feminine, members of the services have tastes as varied as those of Coral Gables citizens. Chairmen of the Victory Book campaign in the federated clubs of the city are urging their members to "Give the book that means the most to you, one you would like to have others enjoy." Mrs. William R. Watts and Mrs. Charles Baldwin head the Coral Gables committee, which is so selected as to cover every section of the city. Mrs. Warren Jamieson checks the fire stations, moving picture houses and libraries every morning and notifies the member on duty that day when she is to pick up the books and take them to the Central sorting center where the librarians are hard at work. Making up the complete committee in Coral Gables are: Mrs. Chauncey Butler, Mrs. Jack Kehoe, Mrs. William Ward, Mrs. Ebell Melanson, Mrs. A. T. Eldridge, Mrs. Ralph Dodson, Mrs. Marion Wellslager, Mrs. John Neese, Mrs. Walton Adams, Mrs. Robert Scholtz, Mrs. H. G. Leslie, Mrs. Bowman Hinckley, Mrs. W. P. Farrington, Mrs. Lamar Paxson, Mrs. E. T. Lewis, Mrs. John Cleveland, Mrs. L. D. Pankey, Mrs. Allen Brown, Mrs. John Mumford and Mrs. William Powell. If you are unable to deliver your books--telephone Mrs. Watts, 4-2165 or Mrs. Baldwin, 4-1153 and they will see that a member of the committee picks them up.

Accidental Death Takes D. Terrell

Word has been received of the death in Indianapolis Ind., January 15, by automobile accident, of Dr. Beecher Terrell, father of Mrs. Florence Terrell Spain, formerly of 2625 Alhambra circle. Dr. Terrell was also the brother of Mrs. John Barnhill of Miami Beach. He is survived by the widow, Mrs. Terrell and one other daughter and one grandson.

Round Table Group Meets Here Today

The Reeder plan for a county unit system in Dade County will be the chief topic for discussion when the Civic Round Table meets at noon today at the Country Club of Coral Gables. George B. Caster, chairman, has invited the civic club to send a representative.

CADET RECEIVES NATURE LESSON; OBJECT IN JAIL

Mr. and Mrs. Jack Mayer, 2220 Country Club Prado, were entertaining an English cadet the other evening and discovered they had an uninvited guest besides. Following dinner, the cadet strolled onto the sun porch and exclaimed, "I didn't know you had such a nice kitten." Neither did the Mayers, so they rushed to the porch to discover a racoon, that had somehow managed to gain entrance to the house. Officer J. C. Bowers of the Police Department was called and captured the animal. The racoon is now in the City Jail and the cadet has learned a lesson in American wild life.

Curry, Shaw Attend Tampa Defense Meet

City Manager A. B. Curry and George N. Shaw, Director of Finance, left yesterday for Tampa for a meeting of city officials called to discuss their part in the present emergency. The meeting was called by Tampa's Mayor R. E. L. Chancey, who is also president of the Florida League of Municipalities. City managers and finance directors from all over the state will attend. Curry and Shaw will return Saturday.

2 More Members For Kiwanis

Two legislators joined the ranks of the Coral Gables Kiwanis Club Tuesday when Joe Cannon and Marshall Wiseheart were inducted into the organization. Cannon, member of the House of Representatives, was inducted "in absentia" because his duties had called him back to Washington. Wisehart, a Dade County representative in the State Legislature, received his button from James M. Hoffman, ex-Lieutenant-Governor. Fred Botts, Miami attorney, was the speaker for the day, giving Kiwanians a description of the people and the terrain of the Philippine Islands.

U.S. Navy May Add Papayas To Diet List

That papayas may be included in the list of foods for United States Navy rations in the near future is shown in a letter received by Congressman Pat Cannon, by the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, in response to the chamber's request that consideration be given this fruit by the government, especially regarding the possibility of serving marmalades and jellies to the army and navy. Congressman Cannon, who is a member of the Committee on Agriculture, contacted George W. Muller, Acting Chief of the Fruit and Vegetable Division, Surplus Marketing Administration, that "in the event of any change in the policy on the part of your Administration, the attention of your organization be directed to the production of papayas." Cannon also advised Ralph McCracken of the Papaya Company of Coral Gables to contact immediately A. E. Bowman Sugar Coordinator, War Production Board, Washington, D. C., if he has any difficulty in securing a sufficient allotment of sugar for preserving purposes, as it is the desire of the Board not to see any perishable fruits and vegetables wasted.

Soldiers Visit Mother

Private Frederick W. Young, 256 Northwest 42nd Avenue, a former resident of Coral Gables, is visiting his mother, Mrs. Jeanette Schaeffer. Soldier Young, who is a graduate of Ponce de Leon High School, is a member of the military police detachment at Fort Oglethorpe, Ga. He is at home on a tenday leave.

Cops Get Thief; Get Money Back $24 Recovered From Theft at Bayliss Store

Another Coral Gables theft was cleared up this week with the arrest of A. G. Edwards, Coconut Grove Negro, on charges of stealing $27 from James Warwick, Bayliss Restaurant employee. Questioned by Detective-Sergeant A. M. Bishop and Detective Charles Hecht, the Negro admitted taking the money from Warwick's pocketbook in the restaurant washroom, while he was employed there as a porter. He led the officers to his Coconut Grove dwelling, where $24 had been secreted behind the bathtub. Following a trial in J. P. Court, he was held for the Court of Crimes. Federal Bureau of Investigation operatives, also, were reported to be working on the robbery of the Coral Gables Federal Savings and Loan Co. offices early last week. The burglars made their entrance through the window of the Caster Insurance Co. offices, which adjoins the building, and blew the safe. Police were also looking for two Negroes who snatched $92 in cash from the hands of Essie Mae Major, Negress, near the bus terminal. Mrs. Upton C. Ewing, 310 Madeira Avenue, reported that the pedal had been stolen from her bicycle when it was parked in front of the Merrick Demonstration School.

Gas Company Has Birthday

On February 1, the Gas-Oil Products, Inc., will celebrate the beginning of its seventh year of service in Coral Gables, the company having established its local store and office at its present location on 1913 Ponce de Leon Boulevard on February 1, 1936. The company was organized about eleven years ago at Oxford, Pa., by a father and two sons. The father, J. H. Ware, Jr., headed the organization, and associated with him was J. H. Ware III, and Willard M. Ware, who is the manager of the company's operations in Florida. The organization was successful from the beginning and now operates in seven states. The Florida branch of the parent company began business with a few employees and has developed into a large employer, the Coral Gables office alone giving employment to twenty-five people. Three years ago a branch was opened at 1146 West Flagler Street, in Miami, and in 1940 a branch was established in Fort Lauderdale. One of the principal products handled by the Gas-Oil Products, Inc., is "Natural Gas", which is protected by that trade name. In addition the company does gas and electrical appliances of all kinds. Mr. Ware says he is pleased with results already obtained in the South by his company and is optimistic regarding future growth and expansion. Mr. Ware attended Miami High School and claims for that reason he is part Floridian. He later graduated from the University of Pennsylvania.

POOL LOOTED, BUT BURGLARS CHUCK SPOILS

Robbers who looted the souvenir shop at the Venetian Pool didn't get very far with their loot. Officers, called by Mrs. T. S. Chu, wife, of the proprietor, found the merchandise discarded behind the adjoining Venetia Apartments. The miscellaneous articles, valued at $14.85, included camera film, jewelry and trinkets. The burglars evidently made their entrance by climbing the pool wall and forcing a door.

'Use' Stamps For Autos Sale Lags Gableites Urged To Pay Tax Now Before Deadline

Coral Gables residents who have not yet purchased their federal use tax stamps for cars, trucks and motorcycles were urged to do so immediately yesterday by John L. Fahs, Collector of Internal Revenue for the District of Florida. Fahs, in a dispatch to The Riviera, stated that motor vehicle owners were slow in purchasing the stamps. "On the basis of available information, the percentage of owners who have already paid this tax indicates a last-minute rush will be necessary," he stated. The stamps, costing $2.09 for the remainder of the current fiscal year, can be purchased at the Coral Gables Post Office. The deadline for the payment of this tax is February 2, and Fahs urged as many as possible to purchase the stamps before that date. It was further explained that the stamps may be attached anywhere to the automobile where they will be available for inspection. Because the mucilage on the back of the stamp, owners have been advised not to attach them to the exterior of windshields, because of the danger of being washed away by rain. It was pointed out that the majority of auto owners are attaching the stamps to their dashboards.

HOUSEKEEPERS TO HAVE ANNUAL ART EXHIBIT

The second annual art exhibit of the Housekeepers club will open with a program and tea at 3 p.m. Thursday and will continue for two weeks. The public is invited. Ernest Ipson, N. A. portrait painter and resident of Coconut Grove will be guest speaker. Mrs. Oliver Sollitt, program chairman assisted by Mrs. A. E. Gutteridge, president and Mrs. Guy Macadams, music chairman have arranged the program. The hostesses for the day will be Mrs. J. Lawrence Kelley, Mrs. T. C. Whitmarsh, Mrs. L. B. Barrett, Mrs. T. E. MacDonald and Mrs. W. F. Milton.

Mrs. Ellis' Guests

Mrs. A. W. Lynch, wife of Lieutenant -Commander Lynch, D.O.C., of Porto Rico, and their three children, Patricia, John and Stephen, have been the guests of Mrs. Nelson B. Ellis, Lieutenant Ellis, who was formerly with the Eastern Air Lines, is now stationed in San Juan.

1,000 to Be Instructed in Radio Work Anglin Waits O.K. Seeks More Space For Housing

Coral Gables will play host to from 500 to 1,000 Navy men, if negotiation which have been started are carried through, The Riviera learned today. According to Thomas Anglin of the International Business School, the men will be sent here by the Navy Department to learn radio operating, with the school providing the instruction. Anglin said that he has been in touch with the Navy Department, and all indications point to the arrival of the first contingent within a month. "Although negotiations have not been definitely culminated, we have every reason to believe that satisfactory arrangements will be made," Anglin said. The operator of the school has already started negotiating for additional quarters in which to carry out the instruction and house the men. He told The Riviera that he had been in touch with various hotel men in the city and that all had assured him that they would help in some way. He also cited the possibility of using the Coral Gable Coliseum, which was earmarked for a defense priority at the last meeting of the City Commission. Anglin said he had talked with City Manager A. B. Curry about the possibility of remodeling the building to house the men and to carry out instruction there. The school started courses in radio code and theory several months ago, and already has facilities for teaching 160 men. Anglin has 24 accredited instructors lined up awaiting final confirmation from the Navy Department. "The Navy has immediate need for 20,000 trained operators abroad and 50,000 in the United States," Anglin said. "It would be impossible to train all these men without calling on civilian schools for aid." He said he had also had some correspondence with Army officials, relative to training their radio operators.

Optimists Probe Boys' Program

Coral Gables Optimists devoted their meeting last night to discussion of the Boys Work Committee. The Optimists are attempting to decide whether to help boys in Coral Gables with playground activity; go outside the city to Coconut Grove and South Miami to help underprivileged boys; or take a suggestion of Judge Walter Beckham and help straighten out a boy who has been in trouble by being a friend and endeavoring to change his viewpoint on life. O. A. Grundmann, chairman of the boy's work committee, led the discussion.

Clewiston Votes To Buy Water Plant

Clewiston--(FNS)--By a 96 to 1 vote, freeholders of this community have authorized the City of Clewiston to purchase the privately-owned water and electric systems and to spend upwards of $50,000 in expansion of service. Of 181 qualified freeholders, 128 voted in this week's special election. The 96 approving votes represent a clear majority

Need for Strong Government Leadership Cited by Columnist Walter Lippmann

By WALTER LIPPMANN In the five weeks since Pearl Harbor the President has necessarily devoted his main attention to planning and organizing the common war effort of the united nations. This has required the making of decisions on questions of strategy, of diplomacy, and of supply which embrace the whole world and in this work no one can substitute for the President, nor is any one even nearly his equal in competence. But there is a limit to the endurance and to the energy of any man, and while Mr. Roosevelt has been planning the war abroad, he has not had the time or the freshness of mind, to organize the war at home. Yet the outcome of the war abroad depends on what is done here at home. During these five weeks it has become very evident that the necessary things cannot be done here at home until the President reorganizes and reinforces his own administration. The weakness of the present system--the pre- (Please Turn to Page 6)