Coral Gables Riviera-Times

Monday, November 17, 1947, page 1 (of 8)

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CORAL GABLES Riviera-Times

PRESIDENT WANTS AUTHORITY OVER MANY COST-OF-LIVING ITEMS AND WAGE INCREASES

WASHINGTON, Nov. 17. (UP)—President Truman today asked Congress to attack inflation by giving him the authority to impose ceilings on wages and prices, and to revive consumer rationing if necessary. Mr. Truman's domestic anti-inflation program contained 10 basic points on which he asked immediate action by Congress. But he said the government would use the powers only if conditions become more acute. The president asked for the authority to put price ceilings only on selective cost-of-living items such as food, clothing, fuel and rent. He asked for rationing authority over the same items to "a preparedness measure ... on a highly selective basis." Then he pointed out that if the government imposed price ceilings, "in all fairness" it should have the right to prevent wage increases. Mr. Truman coupled his call for a stringent anti-inflation action with a formal request for $597,000,000 of stop-gap aid to Europe during the next 41⁄2 months. This request had been outlined previously by administration spokesmen. Mr. Truman appeared in person before a joint session of the house and senate in the house chamber. It was his first appearance before Congress since he became president April 12, 1945. House and senate convened separately at noon to start the emergency session. They then gathered together in the house chamber to hear Mr. Truman. The speech was broadcast by all major radio networks and was televised. In an unusual ceremony, the house opened its session by repeating the Lord's Prayer at request of the Rev. James Shera Montgomery, House chaplain. Mr. Truman's 10-point "immediate anti-inflation program": "1. To restore consumer credit controls and to restrain the creation of inflationary bank credit. "2. To authorize the regulation of speculative trading on the commodity exchanges. "3. To extend and strengthen export controls. "4. To extend authority to allocate transportation facilities and equipment. "5. To authorize measures which will induce the marketing of livestock and poultry at weights and grades that represent the most efficient utilization of grains. "6. To enable the Department of Agriculture to expand its program of encouraging conservation practices to increase the production of foods in foreign countries. "7. To authorize allocation and inventory control of scarce commodities which basically affect the cost of living or industrial production. "8. To extend and strengthen rent control. "9. To authorize consumer rationing on products in short supply which basically affect the cost of living. "10. To authorize price ceilings on products in short supply which basically affect the cost of living or industrial production, and to authorize such wage ceilings as are essential to maintain the necessary price ceilings."

Seeking 450 Units Here, Shift Business Column in Effort to Dodge Controls

Jaycees to String Xmas Lights at Dawn Tomorrow As Wives Stand By With Java

Did you ever see dawn break? A bunch of Coral Gables Junior Chamber of Commerce members this morning got a postcard invitation to see that phenomena and accompanying the offer was this terse message: "Be sure to bring work gloves." Making this cryptic proposal was the Christmas Street Lighting Committee of the senior commerce chamber, headed by E. D. Rogers. They'll string lights at dawn tomorrow, meeting at the unprecedented hour of 5 a.m. at the firehouse. This ghostly time was chosen because automobile traffic prohibits stringing wires across streets during the daytime. Many Luminaries Tomorrow morning, Rogers announces, will see such luminaries as City Manager William T. McIlwain, Riviera-Times Managing Editor James B. Moore, City Commissioner Frank N. Holley Jr., Florida Power and Light Manager W. D. Fuller, Geoffrey Helm of the Toy Wagon and Frank Tye of the Gables Appliance Company ready to go to work. They'll join the junior chamber members to assist six professional electricians in stringing Xmas lights along Ponce de Leon Boulevard from the 1500 to the 2700 blocks and from Douglas Road to City Hall on the Miracle Mile. There'll also be a Christmas tree on each electric light pole the chairman promises. The chamber has, however, only a limited faith in the ability of its members to stay awake at 5 a.m. So the wives of the lighting committee will be on hand with mugs of hot steaming coffee if anyone gets sleepy.

Peck Cites Loss Of Home Rentals In Decontrol Plea

As members of the area rent advisory boards prepared recommendations on decontrol for submission to the national office it was revealed that 81 dwelling units in Coral Gables had been removed from the rental market. Donald F. Peck, president of the Coral Gables Board of Realtors, told the Riviera-Times that the units were withdrawn because of rent control regulations. At 2800 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Peck said, five partnernts have already been converted to commercial space while another is now in the conversion process and still another will be converted when vacated by the present tenant. Eight apartment units at 320 Avenue Mendoza were two years ago converted to hotel rooms because of low rental ceilings, said the real estate head. In another shocking instance, 14 of 16 apartments at 123 Avenue Menorca were held vacant all summer. Peck attributed this case of apartments kept empty while hundreds sought homes to the present rent control laws. Changed to Offices And at 427% Avenue Almeria, Peck said, 12 living units are now being changed over to offices. Other cases pointed out by Peck are at 2134 Ponce de Leon Boulevard where four apartments were converted to hotel rooms; 126 Avenue Menorca, with two apartments made into offices; 320 Coral Way, ten units to offices; 900 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, four apartments (Continued on Page Two)

Youth Center Leaders Flail Public Apathy

Lack of Interest Threatens Drive, Directors Warn Drive leaders, endeavoring to raise $20,000 for operational and capital purposes at the Coral Gables War Memorial Youth Center, charged today that public apathy threatened to stifle the campaign before it got underway. The only bright spot in the picture was presented by E. D. Rogers, chairman of the drive's business division, who predicted today that his group would meet its quota of $10,000 from the merchants and business men of Coral Gables. "Only one report is completed so far," he said, "and that is from Commissioner Thomas C. Mayes who said that he did not have one turn-down." He said that he still needed more solicitors and asked for volunteers to call him at 4-6559. A progress report from the business area is anticipated by Saturday. Youth Center directors Ed Beckman and Betty Ward told the Riviera-Times today that the woman's division, organizing under Mrs. H. O. Johnson had expressed dismay over the apparent "lukewarm" attitude of Gables residents towards the Youth Center they have created. Beckman said that parents not only seem to be reluctant to help the center financially but have displayed a disinterested attitude in projects he is attempting to undertake for the good of the children and the community. He said that three newsreel cameramen and a NBC television photographer were at the Youth Center on Saturday planning to film youthful foxtrott bustles, but left without shooting a foot of film when pa- (Continued on Page Two)

VFW TO SEND XMAS COCONUTS

About 120 parentless kids at the orphans home of the Veterans of Foreign Wars will each get a coconut for Christmas from the Ray Renyart Post of the V.F.W. here in Coral Gables, it was announced today. Each coconut will have a palm or some other Florida scene painted on it. The V.F.W. asked Gables citizens to help in their Christmas plans by depositing coconuts at the sign in the 100 block of Avenue Valencia, where the organization's future home will be erected.

C of C Begins Conferences On Hospital

Special Committee Will Meet Today With Physicians A Chamber of Commerce committee was scheduled to begin conferences 4 o'clock this afternoon with the finance committee of the proposed Doctor's Hospital in an effort to offset rising construction costs that have threatened to postpone the construction of the much needed institution. The doctors have proposed a $150,000 issue of 5 per cent preferred stock to enable them to begin construction work soon and have asked the Chamber of Commerce for advice and support. The civic group committee includes Frank N. Holley, Jr., Byron Sperow, George A. Chatfield, Rogers B. Tutan and James A. Henderson. This afternoon the group is scheduled to meet with the doctors in the Red Room of the Country Club of Coral Gables to study the group's financing program with the view of making recommendations and lending support. Plans for the hospital's construction have delayed four times when revised building estimates reflected a 20 per cent increase over original figures, despite drastic revision of plans. Total cost of the building is estimated at $531,000. Other expenses, including land, architect's fees, furnishings and other necessities will bring the grand total to $778,755.

Police Hunt Two Thieves

Store, Coliseum Are Entered Gables detectives were today seeking thieves who rifled a file cabinet at the Home Appliance store at 1905 Ponce de Leon over the weekend and made off with a $225.50 in cash and some $50 in checks. They also sought to apprehend men who broke into the Coliseum through a north door, smashed up cigarette and soft drink vending machines and made off with a box of headache powders and other small articles. The burglary of the Home Appliance store was discovered at 7:35 this morning when Henry Rahe and his 15-year-old son opened the offices. Young Henry, as he began to ply his broom, noticed the filing cabinet drawers open and spied cigarette butts on the floor. There were no signs of forced entry to the establishment, said detectives. Bun Turner, the proprietor, said several employes had keys to the store, but added that he didn't suspect any of them. As the Coliseum, the main proceeds of the theft were the cash contents of cigarette and gum vending machines. The gum ball machine was torn from the wall and its base was later discovered in the basement. The date of the Coliseum burglary has not been positively established, but it occurred prior to last Thursday and was only reported to police today.

FAN MAIL

A Booster Blasts A Knocker Editor, Riviera-Times: I read the letter to the editor that ran in Friday's paper under the heading "Fan Mail." I do not know who W. O. Bozeman is and care less. Since he says he is not a citizen of Coral Gables (and I hope he never will be) I am sure the ones who are citizens will truly welcome his absence. We have no such persons ever become citizens as we truly want boosters, not knockers. Your move from a weekly to a daily is a good move and I am sure you have many fine supporters and boosters—so to h - - - with all the knockers—I am sure that such people are not wanted in Coral Gables. Maybe we could get a debate out of this jeer and make a monkey out of him. We believe in you and your fine efforts to make this a daily paper and if further and/or support is necessary, we will campaign and solicit for you for nothing, to make the paper a (Continued on Page Two)

Drivers Study 4 New Busses

New Gadgets Are Complicated Coral Gables bus drivers started to school today to learn the intricacies of operating four new 40-passenger Twin Coach busses that arrived here on Saturday. Chester Smith, superintendent of transportation, stated that because of innovations in operating mechanism, men who are slated to drive the sleek, new vehicles must be given several days schooling. Following a washing, polishing and installation of coin registers and change racks, the busses are slated to be put in service on the Miami run next Monday morning. The busses were driven from the Ohio factory by Gables transportation employes Hudson Stewart, H. M. Duckett, Truman Smith and a factory employe. The transportation superintendent also made the trip but was taken ill in the North and was forced to return to the Gables by plane.

Goldman Freed On $500 Bond Pending Trial

Lloyd Goldman, former Coral Gables bus driver, left the county jail this weekend on a $500 bond. Goldman, along with Malcom Clemons, also a former Gables busman, faces trial in Criminal Court on statutory charges involving two 15 year-old high school students. Clemons was freed last week on the same amount of bond.

2 BIKES LOST AND 2 FOUND

Two teen age boys were without their bicycles this morning after two weekend bike thefts, but they hoped two other bikes found by Gables police would turn out to be the ones stolen. Jerry Roberts of 3095 S. W. 14th Street found his wheel missing when he returned to the old postoffice and Robert James, 669 Avenue Sorolla, had his means of transportation filched while he was at the movies. Two bicycles found by police Saturday in a vacant lot appeared rusty, as if they might have lain there some time, but the two boys were hoping.

Meyers Fed Air Contracts To Own Firm, Probe Told

WASHINGTON, Nov. 17. (UP)—Retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Bennett E. Meyers secretly owned an aviation firm to which $1,400,000 of war contracts spread through France today, step-sizeable sums that ostensibly were paid to the company's president, Senate investigators were told today. B. H. Lamarre, 35, told a Senate war investigating subcommittee that he was hired by the Aviation Electric Co. of Vandalia, O., in 1940 to look after Meyers' financial interest in the firm. Asked if Meyers ever indicated to him that anyone else shared ownership of the company, Lamarre said, "Not at that time." Lamarre said Meyers brought him to Ohio from California to be an official of Aviation Electric at $38 a week. He testified that Meyers was the "actual owner" and "the boss" of the concern. When Lamarre went to work for Aviation Electric, Meyers was an Air Force procurement officer at Wright Field, Ohio.

VFW to Fete Sun on Dec. 12

The Spanish Fiesta which will be held by the Ray Renyart Post 571 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars will be titled "Fiesta Del Sol," general committee chairman Albert S. Whidden said today. The name means "Fiesta of the Sun," added Whidden. Features will include a parade on Friday night, Dec. 12, headed by the university band which will escort queens to mock funeral ceremony burying Old Man Winter. There will be dancing in the streets to the music of a six-piece rumba band direct from Cuba. Other features will be a Latin beauty contest and famous night club acts. Carnival amusements, including a ferris wheel and a merry-go-round, will be presented. Twenty booths, all in Spanish style, have already been taken by well-known business organizations of Coral Gables.

Estelle Knight Faces Court Again

A 53-year-old woman who has paid more fines than any other in Gables history, paid her first on July 22, 1943, may have a chance to contribute more funds to the city coffers when Municipal Judge C. S. Robertson bangs the gavel to open court this evening. The woman, who may well have paid more fines than any other resident of this city, is Estelle Knight and she lives at 821 Valencia Street. Her name studs the police records of the last four years and consists of have been convictions on offenses ranging from disorderly conduct and intoxication to resisting arrest and using abusive language in addressing a police officer. The charge this time is again disorderly conduct, but this time the police didn't even have to swear out a warrant, A previous warrant was all make out. Judge Robertson will also hear reckless driving charges against Maxwell C. Hunter and Marcel A. Sabatino as well as disorderly conduct charges against Leroy Jackson, a Negro.

French Strikes Feed Move To Overthrow Ramadier

PARIS, Nov. 17. (UP)—A new wave of communist-led strikes and demonstrations spread through France today, stepping up the pressure which threatened to overthrow the government of Socialist Premier Paul Ramadier. The French government, seeking to put down the unrest which was described as a communist offensive, under-took to break a dock workers strike at Marseille with troops and sailors. Thousands of miners were on strike in the Pas de Calais area of northern France. Eleven thousand were out, and officials feared a total of 150,000 would be affected.

1,000 to View Library Display For 'Book Week'

More than 1,000 children are expected to visit the Coral Gables Library this week to see the books and dolls which will be on display in connection with Book Week. The observance of Book Week is now an international feature and the theme is formed line around a poster dramatizing the slogan "Books for the World of Tomorrow," which shows a score of young people striding into the future. Coral Gables children will hear Miss Margaret Beaton tell such stories as "Stone Soup," by Marcia Brown and "Al Alligator," a tale about Miami by Pat Enright. Children of the intermediate grades will find out how to use the card catalogue when they want a certain book or a volume by a particular author. Use of the Reader's Guide and Periodical Index to find material (Continued on Page Two)

2 Parking Meters Destroyed In Crash

Two parking meters were destroyed and two of the machines were damaged, Detective Lieut. A. H. Bishop reported, when a 1941 Chevrolet driven by Michael Zwerin, 17, of 3670 S. W. 23rd Terrace, crossed Ponce de Leon Boulevard and smashed into a row of the nickel-grabbers. Also hit was an electric light pole, said Bishop. The Chevrolet had traveled 204 feet from the point where it rammed into its first meter. Driver Zwerin was in city jail today held on charges of reckless driving, passing on a curve and destroying city property. His bond was set at $150.

Driver Held After Hitting Church

Charles Lemuel Wood Jr., 32, of 28 N. W. 53rd Street, was in city jail today, charged with reckless driving, intoxication and destruction of property after a week-end accident in which his automobile sliced into the Christian Science church. Coral Gables police reported finding him in the auto, which was up against the church, in a condition "so drunk he couldn't talk." A half-emptied bottle of liquor was lying on the rear seat, the officers reported. Wood will have an airing of the charges in Municipal Court this afternoon.

Store Remodeling Permit is Granted

Irene McConnel was granted a building permit today authorizing $3,000 worth of additions to her store at 282 Coral Way. The architect is Ed T. Rempe Jr.

Royal Wedding Gifts Puzzle Guests at Public Display

LONDON, Nov. 17. (UP)—Princess Elizabeth and Lt. Philip Mountbatten started the week of their wedding today with a display proving that they will start their married life as one of the richest twosomes in Britain, solely on the strength of their jewel gifts. The couple gave an afternoon party at St. James' palace to show their wedding gifts. Dazzled guests saw at least $2,000,000 worth of diamonds, rubies, pearls, sapphires and emeralds shimmering in two rooms. Five huge salons of Henry VIII's palace were jam-packed with silverware, furs, rare furniture, paintings, books, blankets and the variety of offerings to be expected from an Empire so diverse and far-flung. None tried to set an overall value on what was ranged around the royal scarlet reception rooms of the chilly, unheated old palace. But even that fabulous array was only a fraction of what had been offered to the royal couple and gently rejected for one reason or another. King George and Queen Elizabeth joined Elizabeth and Philip in the throne room of the palace, where the jewel cases were displayed. Clustered thickly in front of the glittering array were peers and commoners alike, including several Americans whose gifts were among those accepted.

YOUR NEWSBOY

Editor's Note: This is the third in a series of articles introducing the young men who deliver the daily Riviera-Times to your door. Louis Riggins, whose Riviera-Times delivery route runs along Cortez Street, Avenue Milan and 13th, 14th and 15th Streets, is the son of a race horse owner who doesn't want to be a jockey. "Louis' dad has never asked him to become a jock, because he's too big and heavy for his 12 years," Louis says. The 13-year-old newsboy admits his favorite subject at the Coral Gables Elementary school is physical education. Louis is a baseball enthusiast who tries to play center field in the manner of his idol, Joe DiMaggio. He's never seen Jolting Joe play, but hopes to some day. Like very many Riviera newsboys, Louis puts his earnings from his route in the bank.

Two Sets of Twins Born at Local Hospital

Two sets of twins were born at the Coral Gables hospital within an hour of each other on Friday evening. A pair of girls was born to Mr. and Mrs. Morris I. Weiss of 2230 SW 10th Street and a boy and a girl were born to Mr. and Mrs. Joseph DiMascio of 1464 NW 8th Street.

Child, 3, Turns Linguist, Mixes Spanish with English Baby Talk

Three-year-old Mickey Lobdell is having a difficult time making herself understood these days. Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, she has a language all her own—English, Spanish and just plain baby talk. Mickey arrived here last week with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. George C. Lobdell, and is visiting her grandmother, Mrs. George G. Lobdell Sr., at 727 Avenue Almeria, until her own home at 2235 S. W. 58th Court, is available. Her father was general manager of the Puerto Rican division of the Embry-Riddle Company and was transferred to the Miami headquarters upon the cancellation of the company's War Assets Administration agency agreement. Blue-eyed Mickey can't quite understand the fluent English of her little friends, and when she is cross with her father she says, "Daddy, he is mal."

On the Inside

Pop Bottle Pops and Injures Girl Who Pop Sells the Pop

A 17 year-old waitress was slightly injured over the weekend when a Pepsi-Cola bottle exploded as she was handing out samples of the beverage in the Coral Gables Margaret Ann store on Miracle Mile. The girl, Betty Lou Shelby, is the daughter of the Pepsi-Cola sales manager for the Miami area, Charles Shelby of 4575 Poinciana Boulevard. She was treated at Coral Gables hospital by Dr. Frank Trombley and was subsequently released. Her injuries were lacerations of the right leg above the knee and slight lacerations of the left leg also. She was back at her classes at Miami High school today. The Pepsi bottles were not, a company spokesman explained today and they had been bumped together. Two tiny pieces of glass cut the girl's legs when the bottle blew up. The bottles used, the firm explained, are all tested to sustain a force of 250 pounds per square inch. But, the company added, any carbonated beverage might possibly blow if bumped or jounced.

Arrest Reveal Bogus Money Ring

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Nov. 17. (UP)—Seizure of $68,000 in bogus $20 Federal Reserve bank notes and arrest of 13 persons in counterfeit operations extending "from New York to Miami" were revealed here today by Secret Service agents. The agents said they had discovered "many ramifications" of the cases during some two months' investigation but details of the alleged counterfeiting operations were not immediately revealed.

TODAY'S WEATHER

Considerable cloudiness today through Tuesday. Occasional light rain. Not so warm today, otherwise no important temperature changes.