Coral Gables Riviera-Times

PAGE FOUR RIVIERA-TIMES FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1947

CORAL GABLES Riviera Times

Published every Friday morning by the Riviera Publishing Company, 300 Avenue Aragon, Coral Gables 34, Fla. Established January 1926; combined with the Dade County & Coconut Grove Times, 1929. MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL EDITORIAL ASSOCIATION and Florida Press Association. Albert E. Harum, Editor and Publisher; Kenneth A. Reynolds, Business Manager; James B. Moore, Managing Editor; Helen Reynolds, Society Editor; Edward W. Wright, Circulation Manager. NATIONAL EDITORIAL ASSOCIATION Active Member 1947 SUBSCRIPTION RATES-Six months, $2.00; one year, outside of United States, $5.50; local, $3.00; one year, out-of-town, $3.75. Entered as Second Class Matter May 21, 1926, at the Post Office at Miami, Fla., under the Act of March 3, 1891. Mail Address Box 764 Phone 4-1624 4-1625 The Coral Gables Riviera is liable for errors in advertising only to the extent of the space in which the advertisement appears.

Concerning Consolidation

A consolidation plan was proposed in 1935 for Jacksonville and a similar plan was also proposed for Key West. When placed on the ballot-the voters of Jacksonville rejected consolidation. In Key West, so much opposition developed to the idea of consolidation that the matter was never brought to a vote! Watch this space every issue IT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU!!

In Our Mail

Editor, Riviera-Times My argument is not directed at a Board of Supervising Architects, per se, if the City Authorities think they need such a body, but is against a Board being composed of practicing Architects, competitors of those upon whose designs they pass. The reason should be self evident. To make the situation worse, the Board has full authority to make any change whatever in submitted designs regardless of code. No Architect or Owner has any idea in what way their designs are going to be mutilated or changed. An Architect with the proper training to receive a State License, is supposed to be able to design within the requirements of a clearly defined code, yet in Coral Gables he is not allowed to exercise his ability without the danger of some utterly unpredictable, unreasonable or absurd change demanded which knocks his work into a cocked hat and robs him of the right of artistic expression and the Owner of his wishes. To quote from Ordinance No. 27, Sect. 24 "-said Supervising Architect may also suggest or recommend such changes in said plans and specifications as in his judgement may also be requisite or appropriate to the maintenance of a high standard of construction, architectural beauty and harmony. At first glance this sounds harmless but when considered carefully you see that it gives the Board full authority to require any changes whatever regardless of Code or Owner's wishes and are accountable to no one. It doesn't require a diagram or a blueprint to see the danger of such a state of affairs or what it may lead to. Just to illustrate the present setup, here is a parallel case: You are sick and call your own Doctor but before his prescription for medicine and treatment can be carried out it must first be passed on by a Board of Supervising Physicians who are his competitors and want his business and who have full power and authority to juggle the prescription to please themselves. What Doctor or Patient would stand for that? Yet that is the situation here. My recommendation is, if a Board of Supervising Architects is deemed necessary, then by all means let it be composed of men who are not practicing Architects, who don't stand to profit one way or another. Such a Board to act only in an advisory capacity to the Building Department. In this way the City will receive the benefit of their abaility without the danger of a missuse of the present absolute power. The City will be safeguarded, Owners will know that they can have what they want, within the code of course, and the City will have the benefit of the ability of outside Architects who can express themselves without the fear of unpredictable action by the Board. Would any reader of this article stand for unlimited power of criticism and control over his actions in running his business? I think not. The present situation is wrong fundamentally. Walter C. De Garmo

Step Child

By Jim Moore How long is Coral Gables going to remain the step-child of the Miami post office department? How long is it going to take Hugh Emerson and associates to realize and admit that Coral Gables is a separate municipality with definite boundaries prescribed by charter and above all a definite pride in the name "Coral Gables"? I realize that Mr. Emerson is hoping for the day when there will be no Coral Gables - when there will be nothing but one great big Miami. He said that, the day the new temporary post office was dedicated out here. But I should think by now he'd realize that the folks here in Coral Gables are durned and determined that nothing like that will ever happen. JIM MOORE The reason for this outburst is an incident that has been brought to my attention that illustrates very well the attitude of the Miami post office department toward Coral Gables. Mr. J. M. Sessing fell in love with Coral Gables the first time he saw it. He had been spending his winters in Fort Lauderdale but when he saw our town, Lauderdale lost him forever. So enthusiastic did he become about this community that he purchased 31 lots on Avenue Barquera. On one lot he started to construct his own home. The others will be sold to friends of his in New York, who are planning to retire and come down here. Mr. Sessing has been depending a lot on the magic word "Coral Gables" to sell them on the idea. So this is what happens. The post office tells him that despite the fact that he lives within the city limits of Coral Gables, he can't use this town as a mailing address. Instead, Mr. Sessing must tell his friends that his address is "Miami 34, Florida". They did give him one alternative. He can erect a mail box SIX BLOCKS away on Granada Boulevard and the carrier will drop Coral Gables mail addressed to him there. If he refuses to do this and insists on using Coral Gables as his address instead of the extremely undesirable "Miami 34," here's what will happen. His mail will be sent to the Coral Gables post office. There a routing clerk will send it back to the Miami post office, where it will be sent out again to the South Miami post office for delivery. That would mean several day's delay in receiving his mail. Mr. Sessing appealed to the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce. The civic group appealed to Mr. Emerson - but got not one whit of cooperation. Mr. Emerson bluntly said that the area was too scattered for Coral Gables delivery and had to be served from South Miami. And do you know what would happen if another Coral Gables resident, living north of Bird Road, wrote a letter to Mr. Sessing, who also lives in Coral Gables? It would go from our post office into Miami - through the routing process there - and then out to South Miami to a carrier who would come into Coral Gables to deliver it. That's why I pose the question, "How long is Coral Gables going to remain a step child of the Miami post office?"

FROM A RIVIERA NOTEBOOK

By Mary Helm Clarke THE PROUDEST PAGE IN THE NOTEBOOK The proudest page in the Notebook is a pink sheet just the size of the scrap-book page. It is the EXTRA published September 19-the day after the Big Blow of '26. The plant of the Miami Riviera, as it was called at that time, was at 300 Coral Way, where the Carlotta Lewis Realty Company is now. The wind, blowing 140 miles an hour, hit the structure broadside, broke into the building, and with no opening left for its escape, it blew out the back wall entirely. When the eye of the hurricane passed over and the wind hit again, this time from the opposite direction, it brought the rain along with it and flooded the whole plant. The publisher and the managing editor were in the same state of confusion. Here they were, with the biggest story in the history of Coral Gables. If anybody was due to get out and Extra it was the Miami Riviera. Their special edition would tell of the wreckage, but more important of all, they could tell the world that Coral Gables, built according to plan, with houses and public buildings of stone and concrete, had less structural damage than any other stricken city. They determined that the paper should be printed, but on what, and with what? The second phase of the storm was hardly over before the staff of the Miami Riviera assembled, and by candle and lantern light they wrote the story of the 1926 hurricane and ran coupons of relief and information. They found a stack of paper still dry. It was pink paper, hardly appropriate for newsprint, but it would be as startling as the news. There was no power to run the printing presses, but somebody resurrected an humble hand-printing press and the weekly Riviera began to roll. By Friday, the 19th, the paper was on the streets, distributed by newsboys crying, "Extra! Extra! Here's the story of the hurricane! Read all about it!" The paper was out on schedule but the staff, like the plant, was a wreck. We wonder how many pink sheets there are in other scrapbooks. If you have one, will you let us know? The special edition of September 19, 1926 might well be the proudest page in any Notebook.

Public Night Tickets Offered For Ring Theater Shows

Tickets for public performances are still available for the second season of the University of Miami's ring theatre, but the club nights are already sold out. Opening last week with J. B. Priestley's "Dangerous Corner", which will continue through November 8, the ring theatre will present this season "The Late Christopher Bean," "The Glass Menagerie," "Night Must Fall," and "Present Laughter." Public Dates Set Nights for public performances have been announced by Fred Koch, Jr., director of the ring and head of the drama department, as Thursday and Saturday during football season and Friday and Saturday after the season ends. Tickets may be obtained at the University drama office, north campus. Proof of the theatre's successful first season was the sellout of club nights within two hours on the first day reservations were accepted. More than 10,000 attended last year's five ring plays. Circular Stage The name "ring theatre" reveals its design, a center circular stage ringed by three rows of seats which can accomodate 100. Located in the north campus building, the theatre has an upper gallery which is used for dressing rooms, lighting equipment and properties. Light black-outs substitute for the conventional curtain. In operation this season is a properties shop in which all theatre "props" and furniture are made under the direction of Reggie Hendricks, a new comer to the ring theatre staff. Another addition to the staff is Joseph Johnston, technical director, and James Costy is associate director of the theatre.

J. Morgan Heacock Buys Jewelry Store

Purchase of the watch and jewelry repair business at 3636 Gallano Street by J. Morgan Heacock was announced today. The business was formerly operated by Charles and Roland Collins. The name of the enterprise has been changed to Morgan's Watch, Clock and Jewelry Repairing.

An Also Ran

The dear old lady, wandering about hazily at the wedding reception, came upon a young man in faultless dress. "Oh," she chirped, "dear me, you're the bridegroom of course?" "No," he answered sweetly. "I was eliminated in the quarter finals

Talk of the Town

by Mary Helm Clarke Down here at the office we've all been pretty interested in finding out who was going to the the Number One subscriber to the DAILY RIVIERA-TIMES. The suspense is over and the honor goes to our old friend Charlie Leyden, real estate editor of the Miami Daily News. Charlie dropped into the office to wish us luck and to enroll as reader Number One with a year's subscription. The number two position goes to Richard B. Killen while Harry Morgenthaler, the Youth Center president, is yearly subscriber number three. The statement of the Coral Gables First National Bank, issued this week, carries two lots owned by the bank on the Miracle Mile, set up at an arbitrary evaluation of $1.00. Byron Sperow already has had offers offering to pay twice that much if the institution is in a selling mood. One of the tornado freaks of the week-end storm happened in the patio of the Country Club. A miniature twister picked up a coconut in the patio and hurled it against the bar with such force that it literally exploded into hundreds of pieces. If you've ever tried to remove the husk from a coconut, you'll know how tough it is... Here's a happy birthday to little Verona Halifax who will celebrate her natal day on October 24. The week's mail brought a post card from Grace Carver who says, "It's been lots of fun to receive the Riviera-Times all summer at South Lyon, Mich. I shoulda been in the blanket derby but by the time I got to writing I had landed in Chicago and almost died from the heat, wishing many a time I was in Coral Gables-then I journeyed to St. Louis and it was even more so. Michigan is too cool for my Coral Gables blood but I will stick it out until after the Michigan-Minnesota game that will be well worth waiting for - cold or no. Have you seen the new paint job on Armin Elsaesser's car? It's red, white and blue... The H and V Club out on the Trail sends in word that they are still operating despite the high water and have rigged a bridge from the Trail to the club... Which reminds us that Fox's, the popular South Miami eatery is now serving lunches as well as their famous dinners... Tommy Miller, who lives out in "Lower Frog Hollow" dropped in to say that he thought he'd run a classified advertising "live frogs". Ever since the high water they've been swarming around the Miller domicile. Many thanks to Leland Shepard, editor of the Rotarygram for his nice comments about the daily Riviera-Times. We quote Editor Shepard: "The growth of the Riviera-Times reflects the growth of the community and in keeping with this growth it becomes a daily on November 3. The Rotary Club joins all good citizens in congratulating the Coral Gables Riviera-Times on their venture to become a daily and wishes them success. By the way, Shep tells us a story about a movie theatre in California that has a wishing well in the lobby. Usually children and young couples toss in a penny and make a wish. But he said, not long ago an elderly man walked up to the well, tossed in his penny and muttered, "I wish I hadn't seen that picture." Dade County School Board members Lassiter and Collins not only have identical initials - H. O. - but both answer to the first name Harley. The University of Miami School of Music boasts a student named Tune - but that's not all. His full name is Justin Tune... Up New York way they've dubbed silver fox toppers Miami Beach lumber jackets... Betty Batchelor says hello to all her Gables friends. Altho now living in Philly, Betty was in there cheering for our side at the Miami-Villanova football game... other present and former Gableites on hand for the fracas at Shibe Park were the Andy Houstons, Tom Poole, Charles Brandt, former Poinciana Queen Margaret Blue, who's making her mark in radio in New York City; Mickey Mixon, now in his senior year at Temple University; the John Healys, long-time residents here who now call Washington, D.C. home; and Hoke Welch. Hoke, in New York City to attend the Columbia University Managing Editors conference, was braggin' up a breeze at having completed his first "solo flight" on the subway. He swore he got from 116th St. to Penn station without advice or mishap.

In Our Mail

Editor, Riviera-Times: I am in full accord with Managing Editor Jim Moore's comment in the Riviera-Times that Coral Gables should have a more attractive inspection sticker. It should have some bright coloring and perhaps some hibiscus or palm trees on it, and wording around the edge. "Coral Gables, Paradise City of Florida" or some other good slogan. And as Mr. Moore says, it will not only be an advertising medium for Coral Gables as Gableites go vacationing in their cars next summer in other states, but the driver of the car will have a sticker that he will be proud of. Yours for a better sticker, E. J. Bunting 616 Avenue Alcazar. Editor: Riviera-Times, The Post Office Department will again participate in observing National Letter-Writing Week which is scheduled to take place October 12 to 18. National Letter-Writing was first observed in 1938, and with the exception of the war years has met with increased public interest each year. As a result of the observance of Letter-Writing Week many home ties are renewed, old friendships recaptured and new ones discovered. It is through the exchange of letters that we can promote understanding of our mutual problems that will hasten our progress towards a lasting peace. Sincerely, Hugh P. Emerson, POSTMASTER.

Announcement Extraordinary

We have been commissioned to sell the choice property at 216 AVENUE PALERMO This property, consisting of a plot 40 x 100 just around the corner from Lee Gebhart's fine block of stores, is improved with a 30 x 50' building housing 2 offices with separate entrances, one 12 x 20, and the other 16 x 25, and a delightful apartment consisting of Living Room, Bedroom, Kitchen and Bath. With 20' alleys on the East side and rear, the offices and apartment are light and airy. A SPLENDID ARRANGEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL MAN This property will be shown by appointment only LESLIE H. COOMBES REALTOR 2312 Ponce de Leon Blvd. Phone 4-2586

Enjoy a WEEK-END VACATION

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A Shade Better...

for the Home, Office and Industry A Shade Better... Always! Whether you choose the new SISTRUNK blind, the SISTRUNK Aluminum or the famous SISTRUNK "Standard 10", you have a blind you'll really be proud of! You have a Venetian blind of real quality and outstanding beauty. Let one of our representatives call at your convenience without the slightest obligation. Phone, write or visit Sistrunk. SISTRUNK'S Miami telephone 78-3655; Ft. Lauderdale, 1332-W; Hollywood 395-W. SISTRUNK Custom Tailored VENETIAN BLINDS PHONE 78-3655

ARE YOUR PARTY LINE MANNERS SHOWING?

GIVE OTHERS A CHANCE A "Time Out" between calls gives others a chance to use the line. KEEP CALLS BRIEF This assures better service for you and your party line neighbors. HANG UP GENTLY When the line is busy, the considerate thing to do is "Hang up Gently." RELEASE THE LINE IN EMERGENCY When another party on the line has an emergency, please release the line quickly. POLITENESS PAVES THE WAY TO A PLEASANT PARTY LINE SOUTHERN BELL TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH COMPANY Incorporated