Coral Gables Riviera-Times

CORAL GABLES RIVIERA

PUBLISHED MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOONS | VOL 21—No. 75 (D) | U.P. Leased Wire | CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1947 | 8 PAGES | FIVE CENTS | MEMBER AUDIT BUREAU OF CIRCULATIONS

TOJO TO ASSUME FULL BRUNT OF JAP TREACHERY AT TRIAL ON MONDAY

By PETER KALISCHER | UP Staff Correspondent | (World Copyright, 1947, by United Press) | TOKYO, Dec. 17. (UP)—When ex-Premier Hideki Tojo takes the stand, probably Monday, before the international military tribunal for the Far East he will take full responsibility for Japan's declaration of war against the Allies, it was learned today. | In addition, 64-year-old No. 1 Japanese war crimes suspect also will take the blame for execution of the Doolittle fliers and the deaths of thousands of British and Australian Allied war prisoners, who perished in the building of the Burma-Siam railroad. | Tojo will declare Japan's war was a defensive one and inevitably brought on by Allied economic pressure, and that the decision to attack Pearl Harbor and British possessions was made because the United States note of Nov. 26 was regarded as an ultimatum and the chief fear was that prior military consultations between the Americans, British and Dutch would result in an Allied attack on Japan.

Apartment House Teeters After 5 Stories Collapse

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17. (UP)—A partially collapsed apartment house threatened to topple into the street today as rescue squads tried to reach debris-blocked sections where officials said one or two additional bodies possibly might be found. | Part of the seven-story Empire apartment building crumpled inwardly shortly after midnight. At least one person, not yet identified, was killed. Thirteen were injured, nine seriously enough to send them to hospitals. One of the injured was 67-year-old Mrs. Ella Dorsey. | Most of the apartment's 150 tenants have been accounted for, officials said. | The building's shell remained shakily in place after parts of five middle stories collapsed. Fearing that the vibrations of passing traffic would send the whole structure crashing, police roped off the area.

Quick Aid For China To Fight Reds Is Urged

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17. (UP)—Lt. Gen. Albert C. Wedemeyer today urged the United States to furnish military supplies and economic aid to the Chinese Nationalist government immediately to fight Communism. | At the same time, Wedemeyer refused to turn over to the Senate appropriations committee a copy of his long-suppressed report on China. He said he was under orders from President Truman and Secretary of State George C. Marshall not to do so. | The report, prepared by Wedemeyer on the basis of a six-week tour of China and Korea last summer, has been labeled "top secret" by the state department. | Wedemeyer, wartime U. S. commander in China, testified before the committee in connection with a $570,000,000 for China included in the $597,000,000 emergency foreign aid authorization bill signed by Mr. Truman today.

'Big Three' May Emerge From Parley's Failure

LONDON, Dec. 17. (UP)—The possibility of an American-Anglo-French conference in Washington soon to merge the western occupation zones of Germany was reported today. | Ranking delegates of the western powers maintained close liaison in a continuing round of talks which began with the breakup of the big four conference and the abrupt departure of Soviet Foreign Minister V. M. Molotov for Moscow. | French Foreign Minister Georges Bidault was understood to have expressed willingness for the three western governments to begin negotiations soon in Washington, with a view to fusing the French zone of Germany into the Anglo-American area.

Racketeers Lead Union, House Committee Charges

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17. (UP)—The House executive expenditures committee charged formally today that a Philadelphia local of the AFL teamsters union is led by "racketeers and extortionists." | It said they have "muscled in" on the city's dock Street Produce Market. | The committee unanimously adopted a report on the situation prepared by Rep. Clare E. Hoffman (R), Michigan. The charges were leveled at Local No. 929 of the teamsters union—an organization centered in the market area.

Truman Signs Aid Bill With No Fuss or Fanfare

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17. (UP)—President Truman today signed the $597,000,000 stop-gap European aid authorization bill. | Mr. Truman signed the bill at 10:30 a.m. (EST) with no ceremony, contrary to previously announced White House plans for government officials to witness the signature. | The President made no statement as he signed the measure which authorizes but does not put up the money for the emergency relief. His next opportunity to discuss the bill probably will be at his news conference tomorrow at 4 p.m. (EST).

Labor Move To Deny Raise For Princess Is Defeated

LONDON, Dec. 17. (UP)—A rebel Laborite motion to deny Princess Elizabeth any allowance beyond her present $60,000 a year was defeated, 345 to 33, in the House of Commons tonight. | The vote came after the Labor party leadership had tried in vain at a secret caucus to keep rebel members from pressing their plan to deprive the royal couple of an additional $140,000 a year marriage allowance.

Marshall to Report on Failure Of Big Four Talks on Friday

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17. (UP)—Secretary of State George C. Marshall will report to the nation at 10 p.m. (EST) on Friday on the unsuccessful big four foreign ministers conference in London, the state department announced today. | Marshall's address will be carried by the Columbia Broadcasting System, the American Broadcasting Co., the Mutual Broadcasting System, and one frequency modulation network. His address is expected to require about 20 minutes. | Marshall is scheduled to return to the United States at 9 a.m. Friday.

Additional United Press News on Page 2

CITY DEFERS ACTION ON LOT CLEARING

City Officials Will Explore Money Problem | A recommendation by City Manager William T. McIlwain that the city clear 30,000 vacant lots and embark on an extensive program of sidewalk repair will not get the green light from the City Commission for at least two weeks. The Commission last night decided it would wait until the financial problems involved de-serve lengthy consideration. | City Manager William T. McIlwain, Director of Finance Edwin G. Clement and City Attorney Edward L. Semple were asked to explore ways of financing the two programs. | The sidewalk repair, badly needed since the hurricane, will be paid for jointly by the city and the property owners involved. But the city's problem is to raise the money for the property owners share, which is $40,000, so that the work can start. | "If we could get them to pay in advance, that would clear up everything," said one commissioner. The city has already allocated its part, which is $15,000. | City Manager McIlwain recommends that surveying of the needs of vacant lots and of sidewalks be done at the same time. | Engineer G. A. James, 310 Coral Way, has proposed to do the survey on a percentage basis.

Re-zoning To Be Fought

Arthur W. Brigham, spearhead of an attack against proposed lowering of zoning in the Riviera section, told the Riviera-Times today that he hoped to have at least 200 opponents to the move present at the open hearing on December 22. | Brigham said the workers are now contacting residents in the area in an effort to arouse public opinion against the proposals. | "Every one of the people we contacted just hadn't given the matter any thought," he stated. | Brigham said that his interest in the matter had been questioned inasmuch as he is not a resident of the area concerned but countered with the statement that "Coral Gables is like a bowl of water. If you remove a cup, it will not make a dent in any one place, but will be felt throughout the entire body." | He charged that "Miami Beach speculators", with "no interest in preserving the wonderful dream of George Merrick" are attempting to bring pressure to open the Gables to development type housing. | "It's time we started raising the barriers against such people instead of lowering them," he stated.

Theft Victim Vows To Shop in Gables

M. H. Grant, 1109 Avenue Malaga, is firmly convinced today that it pays to shop in Coral Gables. | Grant told the Riviera-Times that two cameras-two blunders this week resulted in his car being pilfered two times. On both occasions he parked on a parking lot, returned to find $7 in change he kept in the glove box missing the first time, and a valuable fishing lure stolen the second time. | "Furthermore," he stated, "I find that I can buy everything I want right here in Coral Gables. I'll never make the mistake again."

On The Inside

Classified | 8 | Comics | 7 | Crossword Puzzle | 7 | Editorials | 4 | Our Town | 4 | It Says Here | 4 | Movies | 5 | Radio Programs | 4 | Riviera Time Table | 6 | Society, Woman's Page | 4, 5 | Sports | 6

TODAY'S WEATHER

Partly cloudy with scattered light showers tonight and Thursday. Mild temperatures and mild to occasionally fresh easterly winds.

STREET LIKENED TO 'OLD WOMAN'

The city of Coral Gables has allowed the 4600 block along Santa Maria Street to look like "a snaggle-toothed old woman," because it has not cared for trees there, Mrs. John E. Norman of 4620 Santa Maria told the city commission last night. | Trees damaged by hurricanes have been carted away to the incinerator, Mrs. Norman said, and not a tree has been replanted. | Mrs. Norman said Coral Gables had begun its history with "a perfect plan," but the city has suffered since from "neglect."

4 Gablesites Honored by Red Cross Unit

Anderson Given Life Membership For Service | Three Coral Gables residents were elected to office and one honored with a life membership, last night, when the Dade County Chapter of the American Red Cross held its 31st annual meeting in Miami. | Balloting that saw H. H. Hyman of Miami unanimously elected to his fourth term as chairman, also resulted in naming Mrs. W. F. Wittichen, 1024 Avenue Asturia, vice chairman; Mrs. Herbert O. Vance, 4520 Santa Maria St., secretary, and Gables Jaycee President Benjamin Turner, a member of the board of directors. | Gableite C. Gordon Anderson, 1415 Avenue Sevilla, was awarded a life membership for outstanding service. Henry Mangels of Miami, received a similar honor. | Others elected included H. Stilson Brannen, A. V. Rimer and E. G. Graham, vice presidents; James T. Larimore, tresurer and Col. William N. Mansfield, Chas. Clements and Abe Allenberg, board members. | Charles A. Mills, Mrs. John Canfield and John H. Cheatham, Jr., were named to the executive committee. | The chapter chairman announced the appointment of Truman H. Solvwed as executive director of the chapter, effective Jan. 1.

Estelle Knight Committed To State Hospital

Mrs. Estelle Knight, 53, of 823 Wallace Street, was committed to the state hospital at Chattahoochee today by County Judge W. Frank Blanton after a three man lunacy commission had found her to be mentally incompetent. | Psychiatrists Dr. W. T. Lanier and Dr. Edward H. Williams joined layman W. A. Robertson on the lunacy board which advised the judge's decision. | The jurist named Weyman L. Walker, 1008 SW 2 Street, as Mrs. Knight's guardian. Walker is Mrs. Knight's son and instituted the legal action to have his mother adjudged insane. | The three man commission said Mrs. Knight had "violent propensities" which needed custodial restraint in order that Mrs. Knight or others might not be injured.

Blanchard Charges Fraud In Suit Over Oil Lands

William G. Blanchard of Coral Gables, president of the Virginia Oil and Development Co., in a suit filed against the corporation of attempting to "defraud" the corporation's stockholders out of their share in the largest integrated area ever put under contract for oil development. | Blanchard's statement came as five Virginia Land stockholders filed complaint in United States District Court asking that profits and assets of a partnership allegedly formed by company officers be turned over to the corporation. | The area in question consists of 8,000,000 acres of Everglades property leased to Blanchard on Oct. 4, 1941 by the State of Florida and known as the Blanchard concession. | Paid by Stockholders | The Gables oil man, whose offices here are in the E. B. Lewis Realty Co. building at 2110 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, says the lease from the state was paid for with the stockholders' cash and was made out in his name because it would ease tax matters. | In the fall of 1942, the discov- (Please turn to Page Two)

Ask Court To Condemn Land For Terminal Set for Jan. 21

Two Areas Seen Favoring Annexation As City Agrees to Finance Second Vote

Stating 124 residents of Coral Groves and Coral Estates were already on record as favoring the annexation of those areas by the city of Coral Gables, H. Bracey Richardson last night told the city commission that residents there would be glad to foot the bill for a special election in the two areas. | Richardson asked, however, that the city pay for the second election in Coral Gables itself which would determine whether Gables citizens favored the annexation. | On the motion of Commissioner David Hendrick, the commission agreed to finance the election in the Gables if the first voting in the affected areas favored the annexation. | But the dates of the two special elections are still up in the air. The Gables voting, once set down for March 2, could not be held on that date because a gas franchise election must be held then. | City Clerk Edwin B. Poorman said he next tentatively set the voting in Coral Groves and Coral Estates for March 23, but didn't feel sure whether that date would enable the second stage of the election in Coral Gables itself to be completed before the May primaries. | City Clerk Poorman will confer with City Attorney Edward L. Semple today to find dates for the voting.

Half of Block Already Bought, Semple Reveals

Coral Gables' suit to condemn a city block for a new bus terminal and other municipal purposes, which has lain dormant since last winter, will be argued in the Circuit Court on Jan. 21, City Attorney Edward L. Semple revealed today. | The city attorney also stated that the city has acquired through outright purchase 22 lots out of the total 48 in the block. The area is bounded by LeJeune Road, Salzedo St., and Avenues Aragon and Giralda. | Semple estimated that it should take only a few days to wind up arguments in the case, which has been in litigation well over a year. | "The city gained a major victory when the court established the need for acquiring the site by ruling that the commission has the discretion to state what its needs might be," Semple commented. | The city attorney also said that the State Supreme Court hearing on the suit brought by Ed Hassen of the Hassen's Gables Restaurant to force the Gables to issue him a liquor license would probably be argued in February. | Hassen is operating under a Circuit Court mandamus which was appealed to the higher court by the city.

'U' Parking Calls for Aspirin With 7,000 Daily Car Load

SHOULD HAVE MORE LAND, ASHE TELLS COMMISSION AT MEETING | With 6,000 to 7,000 cars to handle daily, the University of Miami expects to have a permanent parking problem on its hands even when planned perimeter parking spaces are completed, University President Dr. Bowman F. Ashe told Gables city commissioners last night. | "We haven't enough land to handle all these cars," Dr. Ashe explained. "We would have were we (See Ashe and Architect Robert Law Weed had come to tell the city authorities the University's long range plans for its plant. | The president admitted that Gables residents who live near the University can expect to have the excess cars parked on their streets for a long time to come. | At Least Two Years | Answering a question of Commissioner Frank N. Holley, Jr., who said property owners along Campo Santo wanted to know when the school would begin construction of buildings there, Dr. Ashe said it would be a matter of at least two years. | We're not in a position to say now just when construction will get under way," said Dr. Ashe. "It's a question of when we get the money." | Commissioner Holley said land owners there who contemplated letting up $20,000 homes were leery about going ahead with their plans because they feared their (Please turn to Page Two)

FUNERAL AVENUE

In an aside to the city commissioners during discussion of the Campo Santo area, Dr. Ashe asked that a change in the name of the street be considered. | "It means funeral in Spanish, you know," he said.

Cyclist Leaps From Car's Path

A motoreyclist who pushed his bike aside and jumped when a car backed in front of his path escaped without injury on Coral Way yesterday evening. | The cyclist, James H. Rafford, 32, of 631 NW 73 Lane, jumped to avoid a car driven by Benjamin Weintraub, 32, of 2230 SW 25 Terrace. The bike skidded 25 feet before coming to rest. | No collision took place.

GULFSTREAM PARK RESULTS

FIRST RACE— | Cordou | 24.30 | 9.10 | 3.40 | Blen Pal | | 4.00 | 2.30 | Pene | | | 2.30 | SECOND RACE— | Fast Freight | 18.10 | 8.80 | 3.60 | Hearth Mouse | | 3.90 | 2.40 | Up-Step | | | 2.20 | Opening Day | Dead Heat for Show: | DAILY DOUBLE: 357.90 | THIRD RACE— | Fsnsh | 7.00 | 3.90 | 2.90 | Punxsy | | 4.90 | 4.10 | Gee Tee Tee | | | 4.90 | Tomorrow's Entries On Page Two

Car Is Disabled In Trail Crash

Hensy Mansbueh, 23, of 912 SW 33 Avenue was blamed by Jack Riley Hudson, 20, of 1038 SW 3 Street for a collision between their two cars at Douglas Road and the Tamiami Trail at midnight last night. | Riley said Ransburg failed to stop for a stop sign. | The right front end of the Ransburg car was smashed up and it could not be driven away.

A Good Way to Wish Your Friends a MERRY CHRISTMAS

See Ad on Page 8 For Further Details

Fish Story

But a True One, Say Jaycees | Members of the Coral Gables Junior Chamber of Commerce who have displayed their prowess in two types of "fishing" will be honored tonight at an award banquet at the Country Club of Coral Gables. | Winners in two recent contests, one for "catching" the most new members and the other for catching fish will be presented with their trophies. | George Tollaksen took first place in the membership contest with Dave Hendrick, John Galbraith, Bill Greene and Bill Daniel finishing in a dead heat for second place. The two teams in the contest, captained by Galbraith and Don Dutcher, tied. | Jaycees who will be honored for placing in the first ten positions in the Izaak Walton competition include: Dave Hendrick, 37 lb. Grouper; John Galbraith, 21 lb. Barracuda; Jack Jenkins, 4 lb. 6 oz. Sea Trout; Roy Stanford, 11 lb. 6 oz. Bonito; Ted Ebsary, 12 lb. Snook; Willard Morris, 3 lb. 3 oz. Red Snapper; H. Jenkins, 10 oz. Yellowtail; Bob Searle, 1 lb. 2 oz. Grunt; Chick O'Domsai, most unusual catch, a 4 lb. Cutlass. | Bill Hartnett and Artie Simmons tied for the smallest catch with an 8 oz. Grunt and an 8 oz. Grouper. | Dancing in the patio will follow the dinner.

SAE Alumni Plan Christmas Dance

A large attendance for the annual Christmas dance of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Alumni is indicated by the advance distribution of tickets, John S. Bryan, program committee chairman, reported today. | The event will be held on Christmas night at the Country Club of Coral Gables. | In addition to members of the local association, an invitation has been extended to visiting alumni, actives and members of the chapter at the University of Miami. | Residents who have not yet sent checks for their tickets have been urged to mail them as soon as possible to Bryan at 1121 Alberca Street.

Attack Charge 'Unfounded' Police Say

Student Released By Kimbrough After Investigation | Safety Director William G. Kimbrough said today that his personal investigation of charges of a criminal attack made by a 25-year-old employee of the University of Miami against a 24-year-old college student were completely unfounded. The student was held temporarily by Gables police during the police chief's investigation, but was released at noon today. | Kimbrough talked to both the student and the girl, as well as university officials. | The girl's complaint stated that the student had attacked her about three a.m. last Saturday as the two were returning from visits to a number of bars. But her complaint was later withdrawn.

Gableite Held On Bad Check Passing Charge

An alleged writer of worthless checks, who police say used a bungling technique in which he signed his own name as payor in the name of a fictitious payor in the same ink and handwriting, was held today by Coral Gables police. | George W. Proctor, 52, of 38 Avenue Oviedo, will have a hearing probably Friday before Justice of the Peace O. B. Sutton on charges of issuing fraudulent checks. | Three worthless checks, on which police charge Proctor collected $150, are in the hands of Judge Sutton today.

CAR ORNAMENT THEFT 'EPIDEMIC' SPREADS HERE

The peculiar epidemic of thefts of the ring type ornament from the front of Buick automobiles continued last night as the ring from a 1947 Buick owned by Leo Sullivan of 522 Avenue Malaga was torn off. | Four thefts of these rings have been reported in the last two months. The epidemic has spread to many portions of the United States and is believed to have begun when a club asked the rings as admission for membership.

City Increases Number Of Hack Licenses by 8

The City Commission last night cleared the way for Coral Gables to have 31 taxicabs and 12 for hire cars, by moving to grant licenses to an additional eight hacks. | The commission acted on the recommendation of traffic chief Lt. P. F. Brasher, Safety Director William G. Kimbrough and City Manager William T. McIlwain. Lieutenant Brasher had conducted a survey among the hackmen to determine how many additional licenses should be granted. | Sam's Taxi and Baggage Company gets three more taxis, Gables Taxi will have two more and the Granada, McMartin and University firms will have one more each. | The commission action was a scaling down of the taximen's request, which had asked 12 more taxis and two more for hire cars.

Alley Paving Starts

Work started today on the regrading and paving of the alleyway that extends from Salzedo Street to Ponce de Leon Boulevard between Avenue Giralda and Alhambra Circle. | The work is being financed by property owners through a special improvement district established by the city commission.

Wallet Stolen

Robert R. Meeker Jr., a resident of the Coral Lake Trailer Park, told police here today that a wallet, bought in Hawaii and valued at $15 had been stolen from him. The wallet contained $10 in cash.

CITY BECOMES NO. 1 GOLF PATRON AS BILTMORE OPENS

By DON CUDDY | Riviera-Times Staff Writer | Early on a July morning in 1942, a foursome of Gableites went out to the famous Biltmore Golf Course for their customary round. There was an Army sentry at the first tee with a rifle who told them: "Sorry, gentlemen, this is now government property. No golf today." | This afternoon at one o'clock, that was golf at the Biltmore again. A foursome, headed by Mayor W. Keith Phillips teed off from the same mound and informally reopened the 375-acre links to the public as the second Coral Gables Municipal Golf Course. | The war came to the Biltmore in 1942 and it's taken a little longer than in most places to leave. That's because there are still about 300 patients in the beautiful building used now as a Veterans' Administration hospital. | But the good news for sportsmen is that the Biltmore—once the scene of the $10,000 Biltmore Open and International Four-ball Tournaments—is ready to afford pleasure and recreation again. Other golf courses have sprung up in the Greater Miami area, but even the two in Coral Gables cannot surpass what was once the finest links in the country and today started to make a comeback to that ranking. | During the administration of Col. Clyde M. Beck, MC USA, activity on the course by soldier-patients boomed, and the greens were kept in excellent condition. Beck was a great believer in the therapeutic values of golf—he said it gave a man minus a limb a lot of confidence in himself to be able to play nine holes of golf. | Civilians were permitted to play there during his administration, under a special system of greens fees, and the links prospered. However, when the Veterans' Administration took over in June of (Please Turn to Page Six)