Coral Gables Riviera-Times

CORAL GABLES Riviera Times VOL. 21 - NO. 81 TWO SECTIONS CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA, FRIDAY, AUGUST 15, 1947 12 PAGES TEN CENTS

AN EARLY CUSTOMER at the new Coral Gables post office is sold stamps by Superintendent of Mails John L. Beauchamp. The post office, located at 116 Avenue Giralda, opened for business Monday morning. -Riviera-Times photo by Binner

Plan Monthly Lease Deal For Former Post Office SIRKIN SAYS BUILDING COSTS DELAYING CONSTRUCTION PLANS

A future tenant for the space in "Sam's Building," vacated by the post office, remained undecided yesterday with Harry Sirkin, who operates the building on a 99-year lease, stating that he has received several inquiries but has made no deal as yet. Sirkin revealed that he intends to lease the space on a month-to-month basis. Plans Delayed Previous announced plans to raze the structure and to construct a six-story store and office building on the corner property at Ponce de Leon Boulevard and Coral Way have been delayed by the high cost of building, Sirkin told the Riviera-Times. He said that he plans to construct the building when costs again reach a reasonable level. Postal service in the new building at 116 Avenue Giralda was started Monday with a radio broadcast of the opening ceremonies by station WBAY. Taking part in the ceremony were Postmaster Hugh P. Emerson and John Beauchamp, superintendent of mails. The building, erected by Roy Page and leased to the government, will be used until a permanent federal building is erected in Coral Gables.

Elks Pledge Monthly Gift To Youth Center

An appropriation of $100 per month to the Coral Gables War Memorial Youth Center, to continue for at least a year, has been voted by the Coral Gables Elks Lodge, according to Exalted Ruler Andrew T. Healy. The gift is to be used for operating expenses at the Center, and Healy expressed the hope that other Gables organizations would make similar appropriations. He stated that if enough civic groups could allocate monthly funds to the Center that it's operating finances could be assured. The new appropriation is in addition to a $500 gift from the Elks, voted for capital expenditures.

To Attend Swim School

Miss Emily Jo Vance, 4520 Avenue Santa Maria and Alexander F. Forbes, 412 Avenue Majorea will be among 18 Dade countians who will leave Saturday to attend the final summer aquatic school being held by the American National Red Cross at Camp Carolina, Brevard, N. C., Aug. 18-28, it was announced this week by T. J. Bleier, water safety chairman for the Dade Red Cross Chapter. Ten days of intensified training in first aid, accident prevention and water safety will be given to students attending the school, all of whom are active in promotion of these courses in their respective communities.

'Study In Contrasts' Is Presented By Inquiries At Chamber Of Commerce

A study in contrasts was received in one day's mail by the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce this week. Robert Lasagna of Brooklyn, N. Y., wrote, inquiring about housing accommodations and stating "As we do not plan to come to Florida for a visit, but rather to live down there permanently, we naturally would like to reside in Coral Gables." This pat on our community's back naturally had the Chamber of Commerce swelling with justifiable pride. Then along came the blow! Comes a Blow The next letter opened had been forwarded to the local chamber from the Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce. Lybrand P. Smith, Jr., of Providence Lake, N. H., said: "I would like to have any information you have regarding the present status of the Coral Gables project of the 1920's at Coral Gables, Dade County, Florida." Never a Dull Moment There is never a dull moment in the chamber's inquiry department. One indignant lady, wrote this week to ask why the Chamber of Commerce had not yet sold her lots about which she had previously written. A patient reply, pointing out that the Chamber of Commerce is not in the real estate business and reminding the lady that she had been sent a list of member-real estate brokers and enclosing a supplementary list of brokers, was sent by return mail. Currently the inquiry department is being flooded with letters from prospective veteran students at the University of Miami, all of whom are looking for housing.

Await Final Decision On Hospital Doctors' Group Announcement Expected Soon

A definite announcement on construction plans for the new "Doctors Hospital" can be expected in the near future, a spokesman for the group told the Riviera-Times yesterday. Conferences are now being held to work out final arrangements for financing the construction of the hospital, which will be located on the main campus of the University of Miami, near Campo Sauto. Bids Studied Bids for the construction work are now being studied, the spokesman stated, and an announcement concerning the awarding of the contract can also be expected soon. The building is being planned by a group of doctors in the area to augment hospital facilities in Coral Gables. Arrangements for locating the building on the university campus were worked out several months ago.

Youth Admits Robbing Four Gables Homes

Burglaries of four Coral Gables residences and ten Miami homes were solved this week with the arrest of a 16-year-old juvenile, Gables police deported yesterday. Picked up by Miami police, the youth was later questioned by Gables detectives and admitted burglarizing the residences of Zarah W. Sullivan, 1244 Avenue Anastasia; J. E. Russel, 1020 Avenue Valencia; F. E. Mackle, Jr., 1340 Avenue Sopera and L. H. Smith, 1232 Coral Way. Most of the loot has been recovered in Miami pawn shop. The youth told Detective D. F. Edwards that he and a friend had entered the Sullivan home, which was closed for the summer and spent the night there, sleeping in the Sullivan beds. They also helped themselves to wine and food and read books found in the house, before they left.

Negro Is Held After Auto Victim Dies

Emery Reese, Negro, 444 N. W. 21st Street was bound over for trial by a coroner's jury this week following the death, Monday, of Tom Cole, Negro, who had been struck by Reese's car early Saturday morning. Reese said that he was driving on Grand Avenue at Dixie Highway when he saw someone waving to him. To stop. He stated that he slowed down and felt a bump, and was then told that he had run over Cole who had been lying in the road. Cole was taken to the Pratt Veterans' Hospital, where he succumbed.

Close Watch On Consolidation Urged Here By Mayor Phillips Kimbrough Keeps Silent On Sheriff Candidacy

'No Comment' Says Gables Safety Director

Political murmurings that Gables Safety Director William G. Kimbrough will be a candidate for Sheriff of Dade County brought a cryptic "no comment" from the local police official yesterday. Queried by a Riviera-Times reporter as to the repeated rumors that he would throw his hat into the ring, Kimbrough said that he had no statement to make at this time. It is generally known that the friends of the safety director have been urging him to make the race, but evidently Kimbrough has reached no decision as yet. Sullivan To Run Incumbent Jimmy Sullivan is considered a sure thing to run for reelection and Ray Mills, investigator for the state's attorney's office has also been mentioned as a possible candidate. Jess Yarborough has been reported trying to reach a decision between the sheriff's race and the county commission contest. Little credence is given in political circles to the possible candidacy of Miami City Manager Dick Danner. If Kimbrough should decide to enter the race he could expect strong support from the Coral Gables area where his county wide connections would also stand him in good stead.

Real Estate Sales Here Top Million

Real estate sales recorded in Coral Gables during the month of July totaled $1,199,450, according to a report issued today by the Coral Gables Board of Realtors. Sale of 35 residences for a total of $540,680; eight apartment buildings at $346,000; three duplexes at $78,300 and lot transfers totaling $234,475 were reported.

Apartment Boosts Total Of Building Weekly Permits Hit $113,000, Campbell Reports

Paced by a $56,000 apartment building, Coral Gables' construction total was upped another $113,000 during the past week according to a report issued today by Building Inspector Gilbert B. Campbell. The week's business, however, did indicate a slackening off in the number of permits issued, with only five being recorded on the municipal books. Campbell attributed the low number to the scarcity of materials which has been hampering builders recently. He said that materials may remain scarce in this area for the next 60 days, but then predicted a new rush for construction permits. Eight Units The apartment building, which will contain eight units, will be erected by the Del-Noa Realty Corporation at 16-20 Avenue Zamora. It was designed by M. Atwater. Other permits included: Paul Gilson, $19,000 duplex at 102 Avenue Mendoza; T. H. Henderson, architect; Etheridge Builders, contractors. W. and W. Homes, Inc., $13,000 residence at 16 Avenue Sevilla; M. M. Ungaro, architect. W. and W. Homes, Inc., $10,000 residence at 21 Avenue Palermo; Gerard Pitt, architect. Neal Knight, $15,000 residence at 3900 Alhambra Circle, A. N. Cole, architect.

Club Netters Seek Revenge On Sunday

Revenge will be the aim of a Country Club of Coral Gables Junior Tennis team when it takes the courts tomorrow morning against a quintet of raquet wielders from the Salvadore Park Tennis Club. In challenge matches last Saturday, the Salvadore Parkers, headed by Dick Murphy and coached by Leo Fullwood, eked out a 4 to 3 victory over Pro George Gaugler's younger Country Club compaigners in a hard fought duel on the Salvadore courts. On Home Courts Playing on their home courts, the Country Club juniors led by Dick Rutledge, promise to avenge the defeat tomorrow. In last week's fracas, Rutledge (CC) took Murphy (P) to three sets before going down to defeat, 8-6, 1-6, 6-0. Dick Taylor (CC) took the measure of Al Harum, Jr. (SP), 8-6, 6-3, while Billy Larson (CC) was accounting for Blackie Schwartz (SP), 4-6, 6-4, 6-1. Sandberg Wins In the other two singles matches James Sandberg (CC) turned back David Harum (SP) 6-4, 6-0 and Paul Setze (SP) defeated Tommy Holdcraft 6-1, 6-0. Doubles play saw Murphy and Al Harum (SP) turn back Rutledge and Taylor (CC) 6-1, 6-4 while Setze and Schwartz (SP) teamed to defeat Holdcraft and Larson (CC) 6-3, 9-7, to clinch honors for the day.

Jaycee Delegates Suffer Poisoning

City Commissioner Dave Hendrick and Jaycee President Ben Turner were confined to their beds this week with attacks of food poisoning, following a state Jaycee meeting on Sanford last week-end. The local Jaycees reported that a large number of the delegates were taken ill following a dinner meeting there.

'Good Guy' Truman on Ball Says Gong

President Harry Truman is a "good guy" who is "right on the ball" in the opinion of Eddie Gong, boy president of the United States, who addressed members of the Lions Club of Coral Gables at the Country Club this week. "Most people think that President Truman is just a nice fellow who always manages to smile for the camera-but he's really much more than that," Gong continued. "I think he's a swell guy and that he will best represent the interests of the people of our country because he is a Democrat." "President" Gong was the guest of Hayes Wood, who detailed the events leading up to Gong's election to the country's highest boy post. Eddie listed his meeting with the President-which was pictured throughout the country - as the highlight of his stay in Washington where he, and representatives of 43 other states, "learned the ropes" of our national government. Vice President John Rossaco presided in the absence of President George Okell.

Pre-advisement Program Started At University

Pre-advisement for the fall semester started at the University of Miami yesterday and will continue until Sept. 12. All students who wish to pre-register from Sept. 8 to 20 must report between now and Sept. 12 to room 201A, north campus building, for adviser appointment cards. Eligible for pre-advisement and pre-registration are the students enrolled in the second summer session, any former students who have not been barred by the scholarship committee from re-registering, and new transfer juniors and seniors who have been accepted for fall enrollment. K. Malcolm Beal, registrar, has announced that it may be possible to arrange for pre-advisement and pre-registration for local entering freshmen and local transfer sophomores. If such arrangements can be made, details will be announced before Sept. 1, he said. In the event that the registrar's office is moved to the main campus during the pre-advisement period, students should report to the new registrar's office on the first floor of the administration building, main campus. Harry H. Provin, dean of admissions, has advised students planning to attend the University's fall semester to apply immediately for admission if they have not already done so. The admissions office is located in Room 211, north campus.

Two Persons Fined In Municipal Court

A light docket faced Judge C. S. Robertson in police court this week. Jim Crawford, 137th Avenue and Bird Road paid a fine of $30 after police told that his driver's license had been revoked and that he was using a card belonging to someone. Mrs. Betty Rowe, 409 Avenue Zamora, was fined $10 for having no driver's license.

Vicious Dog Captured After Child Is Bitten

Using a rope, pole and garbage pail borrowed from neighbors, Police Officers Tripp and Peagram captured a vicious dog this week after it had bitten five-year-old Mary Ellen Herndon, 808 Avenue Almeria. The dog has been placed under observation.

Swim Prizes Are Offered By Merchants 36 Certificates To Be Awarded Competitors

The 36 finalists in Coral Gables' fourth annual Swimfest Wednesday evening, Sept. 3 at Venetian Pool will receive merchandise certificates of $1.00 value from merchants who are members of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber of Commerce is co-sponsor of the annual event with the City of Coral Gables and the Riviera-Times. Merchants Named Merchants who have contributed the certificates are: Abner's Gifts, The Bookery, Crawford's Shoe Store, Daniels, Dewey's Jewelry, Engel's Men's Shop, Great Southern Stores, Inc., P. N. Holley Five and Ten Cent Stores, Howard's Gift Shop, Jephson Pharmacy, Lane's Men's Shop, Mileo Photo Shop, Tarlton's Sport Shop, The Toy Wagon, Whelan Drugs, Inc., and Wilson Stores of Florida. Free Certificates "In past years the merchants have contributed actual prizes," said Mary T. Moore, chamber executive secretary. "However, we believe the winners will appreciate being able to choose their own prizes by use of the certificates and also the merchants will derive more benefit." Mrs. Moore said the number of merchants was necessarily limited to the 36 finalists and that the first 36 merchants contacted had offered sufficient certificates. First prize winners in each event (Please turn to Page 2)

Sample Starts Defense For Biscayne Suit

City Attorney Edward L. Semple started work yesterday on a defense to a circuit court suit brought by the Matheson interests to exclude property owned by them on the lower half of Biscayne Key from the Coral Gables city limits. "We're going to defend the suit with everything the law allows," Semple stated. The suit was filed in the name of Anna Matheson Wood, Willis D. Wood, Hugh M. Matheson, William J. Matheson, Hugh M. Matheson, Jr., Finlay L. Matheson, Robert (Please turn to Page 2)

Gables Rooters Bolster Morale In Ball Tourney

The two Coral Gables softball teams playing in the District Tournament downtown this week might argue with the ump (and did), but they could find no fault with the turnout of Gableites who gulped their dinners to be on hand for the action. Among the local townsfolk seen giving vocal support to Carls Liquor and Rogers Electric -and offering unsolicited advice to the umpires-were Mr. and Mrs. Harry Taylor, George Mur-ray, Sr., Coach John Humke of St. Theresa's, Dr. Tassie Center's Betty Ward and Ed Beckman, Miss Patricia Ann Ellis, Tom Faust, Jr., Clarence Jennings, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Rogers, Leo Fullwood, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Brinson, Hugh Booher, Karl Schmitz, Carl Singleton and Fred Dinkovich. The younger generation was represented by George Murray, Jr., Ronnie Hendry, Billy Parker, Ward O'Connell, Dick Hardeman and Don Lanigan among others.

CHILDREN'S FIELD DAY ANNOUNCED Elks to Sponsor Annual Event Labor Day

A full and fun-packed program for the Coral Gables Elks' first annual Children's Field Day was announced today by Leo Fullwood, Salvadore Park director and chairman of the program. The event, in which over 400 local children are expected to participate, will be held at Salvadore Park on Labor Day, Sept. 1, 1947. Assisting Fullwood in making plans for the occasion are Albert E. Harum, John Rossaco, Ed Beckman and Jack Gramley. Exhibitions Slated In addition to eleven field events which will enable boys and girls of all age groups to participate, two exhibition softball games and an exhibition tennis match are included on the agenda. The first game will be between the boys and the men while the second tilt will match the winners of the first game against the Salvadore Park Clowns. Well known tennis stars will appear in the tennis exhibition. Elks Serve Food The Elks Club is providing hot dogs, ice cream and cold drinks to children attending. The Coral Gables War Memorial Youth Center will be closed that day and all activities transferred to the park. Children will be permitted to enter three events, and must submit entries on the official entry blanks. They are available at the (Please turn to Page 2)

Ponce Band Group Names Committees

Committee members for the Ponce de Leon High School Band Patrons were announced Tuesday night at a pot luck supper meeting at the home of Mr. and Mrs. E. P. Ellis, 1224 Capri Street. The group has been holding regular summer meetings to keep the organization intact and to plan for an effective and progressive program in the fall. The next meeting of the association will be held on Tuesday, September 23 at the band portable at Ponce. All parents of children in the band are urged to attend the meeting. The executive board will meet Tuesday, September 23 at the residence of Walter Van Nort, (Please turn to Page 2)

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Plans Rush Party

Rushing activities of Sigma Alpha Epsilon will get under way next week, it was announced today by university members of the local chapter. The first of several rushing events will be a swimming and rush party at the home of James E. Yonge, Jr., 1120 South Greenway Drive, on Tuesday, Aug. 19. (Please turn to page 2)

Safeguard City's Entity, Says Official 'Squeeze Play' Move Predicted After Merger

Coral Gables citizens were urged this week to keep a watchful eye on future developments in the Dade-Miami consolidation program by Mayor W. Keith Phillips, who warned that this city's interests could be jeopardized. Stating that the only thing Coral Gables has in common with Miami is the climate, the mayor stated that it was of the utmost importance for this city to retain its identity as a corporate entity. Speaks to Kiwanians The mayor's statements were made in an address before the Kiwanis Club of Coral Gables at its luncheon meeting on Tuesday at the Country Club of Coral Gables. Tracing the history of consolidation efforts, the mayor told how Mayor Phillips Coral Gables was successful in blocking a bill several years ago that would have merged this community with Miami. Gables Is Leader Coral Gables was also a leader in the successful campaign to eliminate smaller municipalities from the present Miami-Dade consolidation bill. He pointed out that Gableites, as residents of Dade County, will be entitled to vote in the coming balloting on the consolidation plan and could also have representatives on the board to be elected to draw up the charter for the merger. Must Protect Interests He indicated that it will be necessary for Coral Gables to continually protect its interests if the merger is approved because the city will still look to the county for certain services even though it is not consolidated. "We can probably expect a squeeze play if the consolidation comes into being, in an effort to later force us to vote to merge Coral Gables", he stated. Proponents Confused He said that it will be interesting to watch the "educational" program that has been announced by proponents of the consolidation plan because in his opinion, "they don't know where they're going or where they are going to land." "How are they going to educate the public?", he asked, adding "It looks like they are going fishing and don't know what they are going to pull out." Corruption and rackets in Miami are a result of big money in loose hands, Mayor Phillips warned. "We have to watch for them creeping up on us day by day." He said that Coral Gables is in a better financial position than any time in its history, and had reached that position through normal and healthy processes. The city has moved forward steadily ever since the debt restructuring agreement in 1937, he stated.

Carls Plays Game Twice As Protest Is Allowed

Coral Gables' own softball Diamond sparklers, the Carls Liquor aggregation, took the field against the Fort Lauderdale Gremlins in the District Tournament last night after a Waltz-me-around-again-Willie engagement that saw the local boys stall Stephens Motors of Fort Lauderdale two nights in succession. Twirler Billy Powers blanked the invading motorists Tuesday night at Shenandoah Field but Carls was deprived of a 2-0 victory and Powers robbed of a no-hitter when a protest lodged by Stephens was allowed by tournament officials. Extra Ball Tossed The protest came in the top half of the third when a Fort Lauderdale man, with two out, smacked a grounder past the box into left center field to reach first. As the ball left the bat, another ball was tossed over the wire screening onto the field. The umpire called the Stephens man back from first. When Pitcher Powers and John Hardeman, shortstop for Carls claimed they let the grounder go through because there were two balls on the field. In a post-game decision, tourney officials ruled that once the ball had left the pitcher's hand it was in play regardless of distractions and allowed the protest. Game Repeated The Wednesday night repeat performance, this time at Miami Annex Field, took on in the ninth (Please turn to Page 2)