Coral Gables Riviera-Times

Frog Hollow

That's what some people call it but it's an up and coming community. Read about it on Page 3.

CORAL GABLES Riviera Times

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VOL. 21—No. 30 TWO SECTIONS CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA, FRIDAY, AUGUST 8, 1947 12 PAGES TEN CENTS

Doherty Interests Seen Holding Prior Right For Repurchase Of Biltmore Property

Legal Looms As City Refuses Liquor Store Okay

Court Ruling May Be Asked By Brinson

Coral Gables' "battle of the liquor licenses" faced another court test today as a result of the refusal of the city commission, Tuesday, to grant a package license to Warshaw and Settle in the Terminal Building, Ponce de Leon Boulevard and Avenue Aragon. Paul H. Brinson, manager of the building, appeared before the commission to request that the license be issued. The store is presently occupied by Jack Moore's Liquor Store, which is being moved to the 1600 block of Ponce de Leon Boulevard. Use Cited Brinson contended that the store space has had a continuing use as a liquor package store and that a permit was applied for prior to passage of the new state law limiting issuing of new licenses on a population basis. City Attorney Edward L. Semple ruled that the application was not valid because at the time two licenses could not be issued for the same premises. Brinson, on the other hand, exhibited a lease agreement to show that Warshaw and Settle were the intended new occupants of the store at the time the application was made. Semple suggested that if Brin- (Please turn to Page 2)

Burglar Cuts Screen Door, Steals Radio

A burglar who cut the front screen door of the home of John Velmar, 89 Campino Court, on Saturday night, escaped with a table radio, police reported yesterday. T. E. Norman reported that burglars had stolen 12 used batteries from his service station at 1600 Ponce de Leon Boulevard on Tuesday night. Mrs. R. B. Clark, manager of the apartment house at 230 Avenue Salamanca, told police that someone had stolen a large fire extinguisher from the second floor of the building during the week. Dan Harris, 312 South Dixie Highway, discovered that thieves had stolen the battery from his car when he tried to start it Monday morning. Miss Charlotte Roberts, 1260 Mariola Court, reported that two boys had stolen her pocketbook and camera as she watched fishermen at the Alhambra Circle bridge. Mrs. Helen Balb, 4300 Palmarito Street, called police at 2:55 Sunday morning to report a prowler. A squad car cruised the area with negative results.

ROLE OF GERTRUDE CHANGED Leading Lady for 'Meet the Wife' No Neophyte to the Amateur Stage

The little lady who's going to be the num-ber One Lady in the Country Club Players' coming production isn't worried one little bit. As Gertrude in "Meet the Wife," Mrs. Van Gale Rowland finds herself with two (yes, we said two) husbands. "This will certainly be a new experience for me," she told the Riviera-Times, "but I'm sure that after the three performances I'll be able to return to the one husband I have at home." No Neophyte Newcomers of a year's standing in Coral Gables, Mrs. Rowland is no neophyte to the amateur stage. A graduate of the McMurray College for Women where she majored in drama, she has played roles in "Ladies in Retirement," "Letters to Lucerne," "Stage Door" and "The Two Mrs. Carrolls." In her spare time she sits at the easel in her garage and paints "anything that comes along." "The paintings are not good—but it's lots of fun," she says. Took Lead Role A member of the National Collegiate Players, Mrs. Rowland took on the lead role this week in mid-rehearsal when Mrs. William Wyatt Nolting resigned. The play will be presented Sept. 2, 4, and 5, and is the third of the players' presentations. One of Gertrude's husbands will be played by Walter S. Ashley, Costa Rican consul, while her second mate will be played by E. C. Hodge, member of the group's advisory committee. Mrs. Robert Marshall—the former baton-twirling Muriel Smith—is cast as Doris; Dr. Donald Leigh as the reportorial Gregory, and Roff Elliott as Victor. The butler and maid roles will be enacted by Mr. and Mrs. Edison Archer.

Fraternity Row Zoning Is Delayed by Protests

Opposition that has developed to a proposed "fraternity row" on Campo Santo, just north of the University of Miami main campus, has caused postponement of the re-zoning of that street to permit fraternity house construction, the zoning board reported this week. The opposition developed at the open hearing on the proposal to change the zoning from residential to duplex or fraternity use when Ted Luchessi, Adam G. Adams and Joseph Brook appeared in person to protest the change. Letters of approval were received from Arthur B. McBride, F. A. Slack, C. Gordon Anderson and H. W. Toomey. Realtor Al Smith, representing owners of waterfront property in the area, appeared in person to voice approval. The board deferred any recommendation until word is received from W. P. Dismukes, who also owns property in the affected blocks. The change affects lots one through 58 in block 57 of the Riviera section.

Work to Start Soon On New Canal Park

The first actual steps towards the creation of a municipal waterfront park at Cocoplum Plaza were taken Tuesday when City Manager William T. McIlwain was authorized to begin work on removing a roadway that runs through the park site. The park will be constructed on city land, plus land deeded to the city by Robert Ely, Sr., and will provide picnic and fishing facilities along the Coral Gables deep waterways. It is intended to landscape the area attractively with picturesque stone steps leading to the edge of the water, where a fishing pier will be constructed. The park will occupy the entire northwest quadrant of the circle, and negotiations are underway for a similar park on the northeast quadrant. Plans for the park were laid out by Consulting Engineer Milton B. Garris, who is also working on the northeast park project. According to Garris, when completed the new park will be the most beautiful in the city's parks and parkways system.

Street Name Change Asked

University Concourse, the broad double street that runs from Ponce de Leon Boulevard to Red Road may become an extension of Ponce de Leon Boulevard if no objections are filed at a public hearing proposed by the city commission. In addition, a southern section of Ponce, now having no connection with the main section of the thoroughfare, may get another name; while the changing of the numbering system in the southern sector of Alhambra Circle will also be given consideration. The hearing, which has not yet been scheduled for a definite date, was decided upon by the commission on Tuesday because of confusion caused by the thoroughfares in question. The commissioners stated that making University Concourse an extension of Ponce, and changing the name of the "orphan sections" on the street will enable delivery men and strangers to find their way about with greater facility. Other proposed name changes for streets, which may be submitted by citizens, will also be considered.

Local Jaycees Attend Conference

Ben Turner, president of the Coral Gables Junior Chamber of Commerce, accompanied by Dave Hendrick and Tom O'Connor, will leave today for Sanford to attend a conference with state Jaycee officials. They will return Sunday.

Legion Group Will Attend Convention

Coral Gables Post 98, American Legion, will be well represented at the Legion's national convention in New York City, August 28-31. Among those who will attend are F. R. Wickard, Post Commander, and Alternate Delegate, Edward W. Deering; Past District Commander Ralph White, Alternate Delegate; James R. Simpson, Jr., Post Vice Commander; Arthur W. Brigham, Past Historian of the 40 et 8, and Al B. Lambert, Captain of Dade County Guard of Honor.

NEW RECORD SEEN FOR BUILDING Two Apartments Leading Parade For August

Coral Gables, with a $942,133 building program chalked up for July, appeared headed for another record month today as Building Inspector Gilbert B. Campbell reported over $240,000 in permits issued in one day, Wednesday. The July figure brought the total for the year to $7,719,355, with permit applications still rolling in. Campbell estimated that since January 1 through August 1, construction was started on 706 dwelling units, which based on an occupancy of three to a unit, will increase the Coral Gables population by 2,500. Two Apartments Heading the parade of new permits were two apartment buildings of 24 units each, to be built at 2002 and 2702 Douglas Road at an estimated total cost of $130,000 each. "Crafts Block 31, Inc." is listed as a builder of one unit and "Crafts Seville, Inc." the other. Both are designed by Carlos B. Schoeppel and will be built by the F and S Construction Company. Other permits issued included: The Modlin Co., $14,000 three-unit store building at 2608 Ponce de Leon Boulevard; Edward T. Rempe, architect. New Plant Charles Miller, $26,000 manufacturing plant at 231 University Concourse; Sparks Const. Co., builders; Baxter and Gorman, architects. George W. Longwell, $10,000 residence at 1220 Tangier Street; Gerard Pitt, architect. Leo H. Brown, $14,000 residence (Please turn to page two)

Bay Bottom Report Asks More Islands

Committees of the Chamber of Commerce and the Kiwanis Club, named to study the bay-bottom situation in Biscayne Bay, returned recommendations this week urging a sane development program for the bay area. The committee took issue with civic groups that have voted against any further man-made islands in the bay and pointed to 2,500 years of history in the development of the great port cities of the world to uphold their contention. James A. Henderson, a member of both committees, who read a joint report at Thursday's meeting of the Chamber of Commerce advocated deepening the bay, building of islands where feasible, extension of shore lines and the construction of bay front boulevards. Henderson pointed out that the destiny of Miami as a port city is handicapped by shallow water and pollution caused by stagnant water. He said that the committee was not in favor of uncontrolled building of islands in the bay, but favored a long range development with each project standing on its own merits.

Marines Plan Gables Recruiting

Staff Sgt. Jack L. Hodge, local Marine recruiting sergeant, announced today that beginning Tuesday, Aug. 12, a Marine recruiter will visit Coral Gables Post Office on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month. The sergeant said that this was being done to further acquaint the young men of Coral Gables with the advantages available to them through service with the Marines. Although the G. I. Bill of Rights is no longer operative, Sergeant Hodge pointed out that the Marine Corps, since 1920, has offered its members the finest in the educational field through the Marine Corps Institute, an accredited cor- (Please turn to Page 2)

Recovered! Panty Thief's Loot Is Found Here

Twelve pairs of panties and other articles of lingerie, believed to be part of the loot of the mysterious "pantie burglar" who has been plaguing Gables housewives during the last four weeks, were discovered yesterday on the Riviera golf course. The articles of clothing were noticed by Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Graffenberger as they drove past the course in their station wagon. They retrieved the rain-sodden garments and turned them over to police, after first displaying them at the Riviera-Times office. Over 40 pairs of women's panties and other intimate articles of apparel have been stolen from clothes lines by the "Rayon Robber." Police have asked that University of Miami officials check dormitory rooms on a tip that the undergarments might have been taken by student pranksters.

Unsightly Signs Doomed By Ordinance

Merchants who plaster their store windows with large white-washed and paper signs may expect a call from the city inspector in the near future as a result of the new sign ordinance which passed on final reading at Tuesday night's commission meeting. The sign ordinance, which sets up regulations and requires approval of the signs by the board of supervising architects, was given the unanimous approval of the commissioners. Fink Comments H. George Fink, chairman of the architect's board, discussed the new law with the commission prior to its passage and stressed enforcement as a requisite to its successful operation. He cited instances of stores using large whitewashed signs and paper signs stuck on windows and declared that such practices tended to make the business district look unsightly. Awning Signs Out The ordinance also prohibits painted signs on awnings. Prior to the passage of the ordinance, the commission authorized the painting of a small valance sign on the marquee of the Sevilla Hotel, stating that it was a particular hardship case that warranted special consideration.

Court Docket Heavy Here; Many Fined

The usual run-of-the-mill cases of reckless driving, drunk charges and disorderly conduct faced Judge C. E. Holcomb on the municipal court docket this week. Gordon F. Lewis, 525 Aragon Avenue, forfeited a $25 bond on a reckless driving charge. Charged with being drunk, William Christian, 2501 N. W. 58th Street, forfeited a $10 bond. Ellis Cass, 17, 7450 S. W. 22nd Street, received a 15-day suspended sentence on a disorderly conduct charge, provided he remains on his good behavior. Harry Beale, no address, was fined $10 and costs for being drunk and disorderly by fighting. W. P. Rebozo, 1315 Lisbon Street, was fined $25 and costs on a similar charge. T. J. Cronin, 712 Avenue Obispo, was fined $50 and costs for reckless driving. Harry Lindsay, 5100 S. W. 8th Street, was given a 15-day suspended sentence for failure to register as a convicted felon while his wife received a five-day sentence for being drunk and disorderly and resisting arrest. Elrice J. Eick, 3212 S. W. 23rd Terrace, was fined $25 and costs for reckless driving by running a red light and speeding.

ASK ZONING OF AIR FIELD BE DELAYED Gables Requests No Action Now On Chapman Field

The Dade County Zoning Department was asked this week by the City of Coral Gables to withhold any action on proposed zoning and use changes for Chapman Field until final disposition of the property is made by the U. S. Government. Continued use of the field as an airport has been the subject of considerable controversy between the county commission and the Dade County Port Authority. City officials are evidencing considerable interest in the field, inasmuch as Coral Gables had placed a bid for the property with the War Assets Administration. Future use of the land, half of which lies within the limits of the Gables, has been protested by residents in that area. It is now being operated under a lease agreement by the Embry-Riddle School of Aviation.

Waive Permit For Center

The city commission, Tuesday night, waived a building permit for the building of two more rooms on the Coral Gables War Memorial Youth Center, construction of which was voted by the Center directors on Monday night. Herbert Hodgman of the Hodgman-Merritt Construction Co., builders of the new wing, told The Riviera-Times yesterday that construction would start as soon as steel for the structure arrived. He said he is all ready to take out the permit and begin building as soon as the materials arrive. Costs of the new wing is estimated at $25,960.

Ponce Champs Entertained At Dinner

Ponce de Leon High School baseball team, district champions in the American Legion sponsored Junior Baseball Tournament, who represented Coral Gables Post 98, enjoyed a steak dinner at the Post Home on Wednesday evening. Following the dinner, Coach Hugh Vickers presented the boys to the Post members at their regular meeting. Vickers announced that plans are already being formulated to enter this team in next year's Legion Baseball Tournament and pointed out that several of this year's boys will be eligible to play next season.

Greenhouse Permitted

A request by Dr. A. D. Amerise to build a greenhouse in the rear of his residence at 3745 Alhambra Court was approved by the city commission on Tuesday upon recommendation by the zoning board.

START STUDY OF CONTRACT LEGALITY OF VA MOVE ALSO SAID QUESTIONED

A new light was cast on the future of the Miami Biltmore Hotel property today when The Riviera-Times learned from a reliable source that the property was sold to the government with the express agreement that the Henry L. Doherty interests would have first option to repurchase upon its being declared surplus. The Riviera-Times informant, who returned recently from New York, stated that majority stockholder, George MacDonald, had instructed his attorneys to begin examination of the instruments of sale to determine a course for future action. The question of the legality of the occupancy of the hotel by the Veterans Administration Hospital is also being probed, to determine whether or not the Army should have offered to resell the hotel when it was no longer needed for an Army hospital. It is believed that the Doherty interests will repurchase the hotel, club and golf course, with the idea of selling it to a large hotel operating company. Negotiations toward that end are now being discussed. Price Mentioned It is understood that the agreement, under which the original sale was made, gives the Doherty interests the option to buy the hotel back at the same price paid for it by the Army, thought to be under $1,000,000. The hospital, now operating on a curtailed basis, may be shut down entirely unless living accommodations can be found for its medical personnel, VA officials reported yesterday, also asking veterans organizations to continue their drive for additional funds so that the hospital can be operated to full capacity. Bids Opened In Atlanta on Monday, VA officials opened bids for the lease of the golf course, including an alternate bid from the city of Coral Gables offering to lease the course, plus the ground floor of the club house for $1.00 per year plus maintenance. The city proposal was forwarded to Washington for final action. It is understood that bids were also received from a group of Miami veterans, a Miami hotel group and several Miami Beach groups. Coral Gables has been conceded the inside track in the negotiations.

George MacDonald

Post Office Move Is Set

Postal employees will start moving to the new post office at 116 Avenue Giralda at 10 a. m. tomorrow and expect to complete the transfer process by 6 a. m. Monday morning, post office officials announced today. No box mail will be available from 10 a. m. Saturday until 6 a. m. Monday and all box holders are requested to remove mail from boxes prior to the Saturday deadline. Windows in the new post office will open for business at 8 a. m. Monday morning. The new building, built by Roy Page, was informally dedicated on Friday night with a party held by employes of the local branch office. Postmaster Hugh Emerson received a symbolical key from Page, who built the building when it was discovered that a permanent federal structure could not be constructed at this time. Also on the speaker's program was Mayor Thomas C. Mayes and John L. Beauchamp, local superintendent of mails.

Call Public Hearing On Service Station

The zoning board this week called for a public hearing on September 8 on a petition by Alice R. Lanni to permit the building, now housing her real estate office at 123 Alhambra Circle, to be used again as a filling station. The building had previously been used for the purpose prior to being converted to a real estate office.

Godwin Injured In Wreck Here

Elma Godwin, 3126 Hibiscus Street, was treated for back injuries at Coral Gables Medical Center on Friday when the truck he was driving was struck by a car driven by Ray A. Corwin, 4249 S. W. 88th Avenue at Segovia Street and Alhambra Circle. Corwin was arrested, charged with reckless driving and causing an accident. Seven other minor accidents were reported by the police.

ODD PRIZES ARE OFFERED Gables Jaycees Studying Isaac Walton As Fishing Tournament Gets Under Way

If you see members of the Coral Gables Junior Chamber of Commerce with their noses buried in copies of Isaac Walton's "The Complete Angler" this week you'll be right in assuming that "something fishy" is afoot. The Jaycees have started to participate in their first annual fishing tournament, which will end at midnight on September 30. The tournament is being directed by Tom O'Connor and Sam Elcook. Fish Named Prizes will be awarded for the largest fish caught in each of the following classifications: amberjack, barracuda, bonefish, bonito, redfish, dolphin, grouper, grunt, jack, mackerel, marlin, sailfish, snapper, snook, tarpon, trout and fresh water black bass. Tournament chairmen reported yesterday that while no fish have been entered as yet in the contest that both City Commissioner David Hendrick and Co-chairman O'Connor were bemoaning "big ones that got away." Any Kind of Tackle Any type of tackle from hand lines to elaborate outfits is allowed and fish may be caught in any area in South Florida. An odd assortment of prizes already donated has been listed by the contest committee and includes, with the donors: sun glasses, Dr. Jack Widdersheim; two chickens, Artie Simmons; emblem, Duncan Held; six pints of concrete, Don Dutcher; lubricating job, oil change and 10 gallons of gas, Bob Searle; a will, Ben Turner; razor set, John Galbraith; four phonograph records, Frank Tye; personalized stationery, Sam Elcook; free delivery of any Jaycee's wife, Chick O'Domski's Parcel Delivery. A special prize will be awarded in the "tough luck" classification as well as for the largest fish entered.