Coral Gables Riviera

Cop Faces Probe In Burning Of Squad Car

Army Invades Gables

The Antilla Hotel assumed the looks of an army barracks Wednesday as enlisted men of the Air Force Service Command Detachment moved into the local hostelry for the duration. They will be trained as welders, electricians, sheet metal workers and engine mechanics by the Embry-Riddle School of Aviation, with classes in the Coliseum. Above, the arrivals carry their duffle bags to their rooms. Making themselves "right at home" in a room that recently held winter vacationists are Corporal Julius Berger of Brooklyn, seated, and Corporal Andrew W. Stanley of Wewoka, Okla., chats with Private Private Alex B. Boganza of Tyler, Pa., chats with Private Ara Gayhart of Kenosha, Wis. Embry-Riddle has also taken over the Solana Hotel on Alhambra Circle. (Photos courtesy Miami Daily News.)

CORAL GABLES RIVIERA

VOL. 17 NO. 18 CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA, FRIDAY, MAY 15, 1942 PRICE FIVE CENTS

AUDIT TRACES LOSSES

Police Car Burned; Cop Suspended | Vehicle Found West of City Early Thursday

The burning of a police car early yesterday morning on a country road, one-half mile west of Coral Gables, has resulted in the suspension of Sergeant Henry MacDonald, Captain Lou Reeve reported yesterday. According to Reeve, the burning vehicle was discovered at 4:30 A. M. by a newsboy, who saw the flames. He notified the Fire Department and police rushed to the scene. Sergeant MacDonald, who was on duty with the car at the time, could not be found, and it was first thought that he had been burned and had crawled off into the bushes. Later, according to Reeve's statement, MacDonald walked up to his house in a seemingly intoxicated condition. He was taken to the hospital and later questioned by Reeve and City Manager George N. Shaw. They said that the officer could offer no coherent statement other than that "he had gone to sleep." He was sent home and by late yesterday afternoon he had not reported to police headquarters to make a statement. Captain Reeve ordered him suspended, pending a thorough investigation. The car was completely consumed by the flames, which Reeve thinks were started by a cigarette.

Renuart Elected By Chamber | Other Officers Are Named by Board of Directors

Denis V. Renuart was elected president of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce Wednesday evening at the organization meeting of the new board of directors. Denis V. Renuart was named president of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce; Upton C. Ewing, first vice-president; Andrew N. Houston, second vice-president; S. E. Giffen, treasurer; Mrs. Nellie H. Barnes, secretary, and Tracy Hollingsworth, managing director, at the annual meeting of the board Wednesday night. Plans for the ensuing year's activities were discussed and will be acted upon at the next meeting of the directors.

Victory in Debt Case Is Explained by Shaw

By GEORGE N. SHAW City Manager and Director of Finance The Master's report in the City's municipal bankruptcy action, filed last Friday in the U. S. District Court, found and recommended that all of the remaining unrefunded bonds and the interest thereon to January 1, 1937, should be required to accept the City's refunding plan of 1937, and that judgments now existing on old past-due bonds and interest should also be treated as to any balances remaining unpaid upon them at the time the City filed the bankruptcy action. The immediate result is that the City's levy for 1942-1943 for its old debts will remain at approximately 8 mills. Without success in this action this debt service levy would have increased to approximately 9 mills for the coming year, due to an increase of one mill in the agreed rate for the refunding securities. The elimination of the special millage for the previously existing judgments will offset this increase, which takes effect under the refunding plan. If the City had been unsuccessful in the action, there would have been necessary in the coming year, or at the latest in the following year, still further debt service levy to provide for the $321,000 of old refunded bonds and the accrued interest upon them. The seriousness of this threat to the City's financial position is shown by the fact that the past-due bonds in this group, if required to be paid at once, would require a levy of approximately 15 mills, almost twice the amount now being levied for all City debts. The long-range effect of the City's victory is that over the period to 1976-77, the end of the term of the refunding issues, the City will save over $800,000. The best proposal ever made to the City by the objecting creditors would have required the payment of more than $1,500,000 during that period. An estimate of the amounts which will probably be paid to these same creditors, under the refunding plan, shows a total of approximately $700,000. The debt settlement plan of January 1, 1937, under which the City is now operating, provided that for the then total principal and accrued interest of about $11,182,600, the City would issue approximately $4,194,500 of refunding bonds bearing interest and with fixed retirement provisions, representing one-half of the principal amount of the old debt, and approximately $6,988,100 of "tax participation certificates," which bear no interest and receive payments only upon the collection of certain funds, representing the remaining one-half of principal and all of the accrued interest to January 1, 1937. As the sole source of payment of both these securities, the plan provides for minimum debt service levies each year until 1976-77, commencing at 6 mills and gradually rising to 8 mills. One of the increases in this schedule of millages is to take effect in 1942-43. That the plan was recognized as being fair and necessary was demonstrated by the fact that the holders of more than 94 per cent of the total debt accepted its terms and voluntarily exchanged their old securities for the refunding issues within a little more than a year after its announcement. However, as is usual in such operations, certain creditors saw opportunity of profit in taking a "dog in the manger" attitude for the purpose of realizing par-plus accrued interest on their securities, many of which had been bought during the depression at enormous discounts. A few of these creditors sued the City while it did not have the protection of the municipal bankruptcy act, and reduced their claims to judgments. Others simply held their old bonds and attempted to secure settlement in new issues of equal value. Judgments resulted in special tax levies, under court order, amounting to more than one mill each year for debts of such comparatively small amounts that they would have been entitled under the refunding plan to only about one-tenth of one mill. The City's success in the suit will terminate this unfair and discriminatory situation and will place these judgment creditors on a parity with all other creditors. It is noteworthy that the Municipal Bankruptcy Act, under which we found relief, was born in Coral Gables. In the early years of the City's struggle with its debt problems, Vincent D. Wyman, then Mayor, conceived the idea and wrote the first draft of what finally became, under the sponsorship and through the efforts of Mark Wilcox, then Congressman, the "Wilcox Bill," or the present Municipal Bankruptcy Act. (Editor's Note: It should be added that Mr. Shaw deserves a great deal of the credit for the preparation and the winning of the suit. Working closely with Morton B. Adams, special City attorney, he not only aided materially in preparing the case, but qualified himself as an expert on municipal finance, and gave valuable testimony at the hearings.)

Board Urges Dismissal Of Benson, Amicable Settlement of Row | MEETING SET FOR MONDAY; 29 HEAR MRS. LANFORD URGE SUIT'S CONTINUANCE

The membership of the Coral Gables Woman's Club will meet at 2:30 Monday to hear and vote upon two recommendations from its executive board, which, if passed, may mean a speedy termination of the argument between the club and the city over the deed to the Community House and Library Building. The recommendations, unanimously passed at the board meeting on May 7, include: 1-To accept a lease agreement worked out with the city as settlement of the suit that's pending regarding the ownership of the building. 2-To dismiss Clifton Doll Benson, attorney for the club. The board, in making the recommendations, called attention to the war effort and the necessity for working in harmony. Twenty-nine of the club's more than 200 members turned out Wednesday afternoon to a meeting called by Mrs. Louie E. Lanford, member of the club, and Benson, where they were urged to keep Benson in the club's employ and to continue the suit in the Circuit Court. To date, Benson has been paid $950 by the club. Wednesday's meeting was opened by Mrs. Lanford, who told of the work done by the club members to secure the building, which was built by WPA under city sponsorship. Upon its completion, the deed was given to the Woman's Club, a transaction which the Federal Government declared should not have been done. The city has been ordered by the Government to recover the deed. Mrs. Lanford turned the meeting over to Mr. Benson, who prefaced his remarks by saying, "You hired me to keep your deed. You've still got it, haven't you?" Benson traced the history of the litigation in the court and conditions for settlement that the club could win the suit. Following his talk, the meeting was devoted to a question and answer session, with those present quizzing Benson on his opinions concerning the case. New Agreement The new agreement, which was drawn up after conferences with club members and the business-men's committee, headed by Lyle Holcomb, provides in the main: (1) Sets up a new city department, with the president and future presidents of the Woman's Club as managers of the property. (2) All organizations using the club property will be charged rent, which will be paid to the city, through the president of the Woman's Club. At the end of each year, any profit made by operating the building will be returned to the club as rent on furniture now owned by that group. (3) If at any time either the club or the city becomes dissatisfied with the plan of operation, it can be abandoned on 30 days' notice and the club will be paid $10,430.46, the exact amount it has invested in the building. In addition, the city will buy the furnishings at (Please Turn to Page 4)

Drive to Register Domestic Servants Launched by City

Coral Gables renewed its efforts this week to complete a 100 per cent registration of domestic servants working in the city and to physically examine each domestic. "It is more important than ever that we have a means of checking on employees," G. N. Shaw, City Manager said. "The only way in which we can hope to complete such a registration is through the full co-operation of the housewives." Housewives are requested to send their servants to the clinic at 2506 Ponce de Leon Boulevard any Monday before 11 A. M. There the applicant will be given a blood test and a record made of his or her physical condition. On presenting the receipt of this health examination to the Coral Gables police station any Monday before 11 A. M., the applicant will be fingerprinted and an identification record will be made. The receipt will be marked to show he has reported to the police. The fingerprints are sent to the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Washington to be checked, and usually the combination health - identification card is returned to the applicant in about three weeks. Total cost of the entire operation is 75 cents. Should the applicant's card be returned marked "POS.", for positive showing in his blood test, an indication of venereal disease, he must undergo treatment once weekly either at the physician of his choice or at the Miami City Clinic or the County Clinic. Coral Gables has no indigent clinic. Health and identification cards must be renewed every six weeks. When first applying, if (Please Turn to Page 4)

Class Play Tonight at Elementary

"Toby Helps Out" will be the headliner at 8:15 P. M. tonight in the auditorium of the Elementary School. The play is being presented by the graduating class of the school. They are the actors, and they hope, through their hard work, to leave a bond to the school as their farewell gift. Mrs. Nan Riley Tillman is Director of the play, with the following in the cast: Martha Ann Symons, Dorothy Powell, Barbara Meyers, John Dick, George Hollett, Richard Cassidy, Bradford White and Robert Kirkland. The Elementary School band under the direction of W. H. Bennett, will play. Tickets are 25 cents for adults, 10 cents for the kiddies.

EDWARDS' SONS HONORED

Lieutenant W. R. (Billy) Edwards has received his captaincy in the Army Air Dental Corps at Key Field, Miss., according to word just received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Vivian Edwards, 311 Avenue Camilo. Honors also came to Robert V. Edwards, another son, who was recently made a member of Pi Kappa Epsilon, honorary medical fraternity at Northwestern University.

Wilma Weed Plays Here On Monday

Returning to the scene of her former studies, Wilma Weed will present a piano recital in the Granada Workshop of the University of Miami on Monday evening, May 18, at 8:30 P. M. After attending the music school at the University, Miss Weed continued her studies at the Juilliard Institute of Musical Art, graduating in 1941 and doing post-graduate work in 1942.

C. of C. to Sponsor Poinciana Dance

The Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce will sponsor a Royal Poinciana dance at the Coral Gables Country Club on Wednesday night, June 10, as part of the Royal Poinciana festival to be staged throughout the Greater Miami area.

"JITTERBUG BALL" TONIGHT AT CLUB

Tonight the Delta Sigma Upsilon Fourth Annual Jitterbug Ball, for the benefit of the Navy Relief Fund, will get under way at 10 o'clock at the Country Club of Coral Gables, with Cy Washburn and his orchestra playing.

TO HONOR MOTHER

Mrs. Lawrence M. Gale will give a small tea this afternoon at her attractive new home, 928 Avenue Algaringo. The party will honor her mother, Mrs. George Groff, who is her guest from Jacksonville.

From Key West

Mrs. D. K. Minor of Key West is spending the week-end with her mother, Mrs. Marion Binkle, in Coral Gables. Mr. Minor is stationed with the U. S. Navy at Key West.

Gables Flier Killed When Plane Crashes

Word was received here Wednesday of the death of Lieutenant William H. Robinson, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Robinson, 634 Avenue Santander. Lieutenant Robinson was killed when his plane crashed at Paine Field, Wash. Four other officers lost their lives in the crash, the Army announced. Robinson received his commission recently at Lubbock Field, Texas, and was later transferred to the Pacific Coast. He was a graduate of the University of Miami. Funeral plans were not available yesterday when the Riviera went to press.

Free Pool Entertainments Planned To Enable Gableites Vacation Here

Co-operating in the "victory vacation" scheme, the City of Coral Gables is planning a series of free summer entertainments for stay-at-home residents. Events are scheduled to begin about July 1, and will include free swimming one evening each week for a civic club at Venetian pools. The city will invite a different civic group each week to take over the pool's facilities and to entertain the members and their guests. The pool probably will be closed to the public at 5 P. M. on such days, so that the group may have picnic supper there, if they so desire. "With transportation what it is and our pocketbooks shrinking, we must find ways and means to entertain ourselves at home during the summer months," said G. N. Shaw, City Manager and sponsor of the plans. "Coral Gables offers a great deal to its residents in free recreation or recreation at a nominal cost." Within walking or cycling distance are the Venetian pools, the Granada golf course, Salvadore Park, Matheson Hammock and many other facilities. We want our residents to be patriotic, but we want them to have a good time as well." The Gables Kiwanis Club will be the first invited group to use the pool, probably July 7. Members may invite their families and friends. They may plan a group supper or they may bring their own old-fashioned "family picnic baskets." They may swim early and leave, or they may come after dinner for a moonlight swim. They may arrange water contests and other programs. Russell Ellington, pool director, will act as program co-ordinator for the group committees. Shaw also is considering a similar plan for the Granada golf course. The free entertainments will continue through early September.

C. of C. Urges Settlement of Club Suit

The board of directors of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce Wednesday night definitely went on record regarding the litigation between the City of Coral Gables and the Coral Gables Woman's Club, when it passed a resolution urging a prompt settlement of the controversy. The resolution, as follows, was addressed to Mayor Joe Whitley and members of the Coral Gables City Commission and Mrs. Evan D. Roser, president, and members of the Coral Gables Woman's Club: Whereas, the continued litigation over the Community Building occupied by the Coral Gables Woman's Club and Public Library has been expensive both to the City and the Woman's Club, and; Whereas the adverse publicity given this controversy throughout the United States has been very harmful to the best interest of our city, which was forcibly brought to our attention when Senator Ernest Graham in one of his talks before merchants of Dade County stated that the litigation was very unpleasant in Washington, and that this matter should be (Please Turn to Page 4)