Coral Gables Riviera-Times

CORAL GABLES Riviera Times

MEMBER AUDIT BUREAU OF CIRCULATIONS PUBLISHED MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOONS VOL. 21-NO. 81 (D) U.P. LEASED WIRE CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 1947 8 PAGES FIVE CENTS

MORE U. S. AID SEEN VITAL AS REDS FORM GOVERNMENT IN GREECE

WASHINGTON, Dec. 25. (UP)—The east-west struggle over Greece headed into the crucial stage today with the creation of a communist "government" in northern Greece by guerrilla leaders. Diplomatic officials said the moderate Greek government, already granted $300,000,000 in American aid, would need considerably more help if the adjoining Soviet-dominated Balkan countries formally recognize the rebel regime. With such recognition, it was said, the Soviet bloc might claim the legal right of pouring military supplies to the Greek communists.

Surviving Victims of Killer Hover Near Death In Hospital

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Dec. 25. (UP)—Three victims of a berserk killer who took his wife's and his own life struggled for breath today through thick bandages on their slashed throats. Police marked the deaths of David R. Burnside, 47, and his 42-year-old wife, Bernice, as closed, but there was fear that one of the trio of wounded—two lawyers and the Burnsides' young son—might be added to the list of dead. Burnside apparently ran amok in the office of Attorney Robert G. Hamilton shortly before noon yesterday, immediately after signing a will in which he left all his possessions to "my dearly beloved wife, Bernice." The will was thought to be part of a divorce settlement. Within a few minutes, Mrs. Burnside's throat was slashed from ear to ear and she was dead. Hamilton and 14-year-old James Burnside had received critical neck wounds, and Burnside had entered another office and stabbed former Judge M. Baynes, 68.

'Very Interesting' Names Promised In Spec Probe

WASHINGTON, Dec. 25. (UP)—Chairman August H. Andresen said today his house speculation investigators have "some very interesting names" of government people who have been dealing in the commodity markets. The Minnesota Republican declined to disclose any of the information collected by his seven-member investigating committee. He said no names will be released to the public until the group has all the facts. Harold E. Stassen, Republican presidential aspirant, sparked the investigation of the commodity markets by charging that "government insiders" are gambling in grain and forcing up the price of the housewife's market basket. Andresen did not say when and how Stassen would be called upon to elaborate on his charges. Stassen has made it clear that he is willing to appear before a congressional committee at any time to back up his claim.

Siamese Twins Die After 26 Days In Incubator

INDIANAPOLIS, Dec. 25. (UP)—Siamese twins, born joined at the top of their heads, died today. They were 26 days old. Their deaths, expected for several days, solved a tragic problem facing their young parents. The mother and father had expressed a desire never to see the boys unless they could be separated. Officials of the Indiana University medical center said one of the infants died at 6:30 a.m. and the other about an hour later. They said their parents were immediately notified of their death.

Christmas in Holy Land Marked by Bloody Fighting

JERUSALEM, Dec. 25. (UP)—Christmas in the Holy Land was ushered in by bloody fighting in Tel Aviv, Jaffa and Haifa today. At least seven persons were killed and 14 wounded. Three Arabs were killed and an unknown number wounded in an attack on the Salameh section of the Tel Aviv-Jaffa border area. The attack was believed made by Haganah. Two Haganah men were killed in the Tel El Rish suburb of Jaffa when Haganah squads attacked a house allegedly shielding Arab snipers. Haganah sources said that losses were inflicted on the Arabs. Skirmishes between Arabs and Jews in Haifa brought death to two Jews, a woman and a man, while six Jews and eight Britons were wounded.

Truman Family Marks Xmas Quietly in White House

WASHINGTON, Dec. 25. (UP)—President Truman and a large family group from out-of-town today observed Christmas quietly in the White House. The president, his wife, and daughter were up early around the family Christmas tree on the second floor of the White House to exchange gifts. A large Christmas dinner, centered around a turkey weighing more than 40 pounds, was scheduled for 2 p.m. with the largest family gathering that has been at the White House in many years. In addition to the president's immediate family, there was his mother-in-law, Mrs. David W. Wallace, of Independence, Mo., three of Mrs. Truman's brothers and their wives, and two children—the small son and daughter of Fred Wallace, Mrs. Truman's brother who lives in Denver.

Aircraft Search Arctic Circle For Missing B-29 Superfortress

FAIRBANKS, Alaska, Dec. 25. (UP)—Civilian and army aircraft in northern Alaska searched today for a B-29 Superfortress missing with eight persons aboard in icy wastelands north of the arctic circle. Col. Lloyd H. Watnee, commandant of the Ladd Field Army air base here, said the plane failed to return from a long-range weather reconnaissance flight Tuesday and was presumed down somewhere within the arctic circle. Army planes of the 10th Rescue Squadron which conducted a brief search for the bomber yesterday failed to find trace of the craft.

Two Xmas Presents Please Kimbrough

Director of Public Safety William G. Kimbrough had two Christmas presents today and he says both were "just what I wanted." Kimbrough was presented with a Colt officers' model target pistol, complete with carrying case, by the members of the police and fire departments. The presentation of the highly accurate firearm was made by Sgt. Robert Crittenden. J. O. Benthea, the state insurance law enforcement agent for Dade county, came to Coral Gables headquarters yesterday to tell police here that more cooperation with the state on insurance matters had been extended by Gables police than any other law enforcement agency in Dade county.

POST-WAR JOB WELL DONE, SAYS MAYOR

Civic Leaders Join in Holiday Rites at Club "The people of Coral Gables have supported the post-war construction effort with a vigor that leaves nothing to be desired," Mayor W. Keith Phillips said today in his Christmas message to the citizens. The mayor's message led off a broadcast of Coral Gables' Christmas celebration at the Country Club at 10 a.m. today. No Task Too Small "No task has been too small or too tedious, but what we found you eager to fulfill it," the mayor stated. "Now in the decisive year that lies ahead of us, I know that the people of Coral Gables will continue their unstinted devotion to duty as they have in the past. We have our work cut out for us in the year that lies ahead, and we shall enter upon the task cheerfully and with deep faith." Dr. Bowman F. Ashe, president of the University of Miami, who followed Phillips on the 30-minute program, commented that "on this day of all the year we realize how much we owe to the spirit of youth." "In this time of reconstruction after a great war, the University must become a storehouse of strength and good counsel, serving the community, the state and the nation," he said. "In the task of serving all our people, the University of Miami dedicated itself some 21 years ago, and that high consecration of the halls of learning to the cause of peace on earth and good will to men shall never waver." Albert E. Harum, publisher of the Riviera-Times, stressed the idea that it is by "good will" that all our goals shall be won. John Paul Riddle, president of Riddle College told the radio audience and the Coral Gables Club members that the friendly spirit of Coral Gables had made students from foreign lands feel "at home," particularly those who were far from their families on Christmas Day. Mrs. William Cox, president of the Coral Gables Woman's Club, stated that "Christmas to mankind means more than the mere merriment of the holiday season. Christmas to them is in reality a re-dedication, a re-statement of the holiness of motherhood and the continuity of moral and spiritual life." "From the the road to Bethle- (Please Turn to Page Seven)

No, it isn't Merrie Olde England, it's Coral Gables Florida where these carolers recall a scene from Dickens as they fill the air with "Joy to the World". The carolers won first place in the Chamber of Commerce store decoration contest as part of the display of Josef.

Liquor Sales Rise Here (Here's Some Sage Advice)

As numerous Gables citizens filled their wassail bowls in keeping with a season of holiday cheer, a physician today gave some tips on how to stay sober—and just in case, another tip on how to knock a hangover. And as a local liquor dealer estimated today that package stores in Coral Gables alone will do over $150,000 worth of business during the holiday period, there should be eager ears for his advice. The physician must remain unidentified, but he is an expert on such matters as over-indulgence, and so forth. (The so forth is, of course, the well known hangover.) First, according to the physician, if a person decides he must join in the round of holiday cheers coming up between now and New Year's, he should remember that old-fashioned remedy of olive oil. That is, the physician said, take a tablespoonful of olive oil before the drinking starts. There is an old-fashioned idea that the olive oil makes a layer over the stomach and keeps the fumes of the alcohol from reaching the brain. That theory, according to the doctor, is all wrong. The idea of the olive oil, he said, is not to hold down the fumes, but to absorb the alcohol and prevent it from going too quickly into the blood stream and then to the head. A large chunk of butter also will help, he said, but with butter in Coral Gables groceries listed at from 97 cents to $1.15 per pound, such a procedure might not be too popular.

FARE IN PRISON'S THE XMAS KIND

Ten Coral Gables firemen and some half dozen city jail prisoners ate turkey today, with cranberry sauce, juicy stuffing and everything that goes with it. The 25 pounds of holiday bird were prepared by Lt. J. Q. Hollingsworth and firemen Ace Matheson and George Herrell Jr.

South Miami Plans Teen-Ager Dance

A Christmas dance for teenagers will be given at eight o'clock tomorrow night at the Community House of South Miami. Bob Jaynes and his three-piece band will furnish the music, and door prizes will be awarded. Sylvia Martin is in charge of arrangements for the dance.

On The Inside

Classified | 7 | Comics | 4 | Editorials | 4 | It Says Here | 4 | Our Town | 4 | Movies | 3 | Radio Programs | 6 | Society, Woman's Page | 2, 3 | Sports | 6

TODAY'S WEATHER

Continued cloudy with occasional light rain today, tonight and Friday. Mild temperature today and tonight. Slightly cooler Friday. Moderate north to northeast winds.

Barber Shop Singing Group Meets Friday

Christmas carols will give way to old favorites such as "In the Evening by the Moonlight," when the local chapter of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America meets at 8 p. m. Friday at the Country Club of Coral Gables. This will mark the third meeting of the new chapter which hopes to receive its charter from national headquarters soon, Robert Horlbrook, seasoned, said today. New music has been received from headquarters and will be given a try-out at the meeting tomorrow. W. W. Zinsmaster is president of the society and Alec Berne, conductor.

Local Girls Get Roles In Follies

Coral Gables will be well represented in the water ballets of the Orange Bowl Aqua Follies Monday and Tuesday at the Venetian Pool. Among the water ballerinas now rehearsing for the two performances are 14 girls from Ponce de Leon High School and the University of Miami. These girls will take part in the coronation of the queen, Jeanne Biegger, and in the "Water Jewels" number in which the swimmers will wear flourescent suits, caps and gloves. The Coral Gables aquabelles are Pat Shelmerdine, Helen Johnson, Gail Clark, Pauline Marks, Martha Knight, Martha Warren, Normandie McNair, Gloria Johnson, Jane and Jean Greene, Barbara Fieldleson, Camille Oelkers, Betty Covington and Joan Miller.

Lou Reeve Recalls a Christmas in 1922 When the Air Was Warm With Welcome

By ALAN SAFTEL Riviera-Times Staff Writer Twenty-five years ago yesterday a young man from Riverhead, Long Island, began his second night as a policeman in the part of Dade County which today is Coral Gables. The new cop had come to Florida intending to buy an airplane and go barn-storming, but some things had gone askew and he'd just taken the police job. He'd been hired by a fellow named George E. Merrick, who'd only been here some five years himself. But the new cop was a Dade County deputy sheriff, although his salary was paid by Merrick. It was new and strange territory for this patrolman. As he rode his new beat for the second time on Christmas Eve, he heard firecrackers being exploded. He paused to investigate and found the citizens used this means to celebrate Christmas. The cop had never seen that happen in his native Long Island. But the officer found he got smiles from everybody, even though he didn't know a soul in town. People he'd never seen before would hail him as he rode by him and ask him into their homes for a warming cup of coffee. The cop soon decided he liked the place, even though he regretted having been forced by circumstances to give up his barn-storming plans. He stayed for 25 years, watched the area change from a sprawling bit of Dade County to a city on its own right. He worked for the man who did most to create that city and the cop advanced along with the place where he worked. Today hat cop is Capt. L. C. Reeve of the Coral Gables police department. This is the first of two articles on Capt. Reeve's career. The second will appear tomorrow.

Vet Xmas Elks Fete Patients At Hospital

Gathering around a huge Christmas tree in the theater of the Pratt General Hospital, Elks from Coral Gables, Miami and Miami Beach joined wounded war veterans under treatment at the hospital to sing traditional Christmas hymns last night. With a choir furnished by Rev. Harvey J. Fritsch, the singing was an impressive ceremony. Exalted Ruler of the Elks Andrew T. Healy conveyed a brief Christmas message to the veterans from the lodges of the Elks all over the United States. A committee of 25 members headed by Walter Wigman visited the patients in their wards and presented each veteran with a Christmas gift and Santa Claus, bearded and jolly, made his appearance. Yesterday's visit by the Elks was the regular trip to Pratt, which the three lodges join in making the last Wednesday of each month. The Elks Hospital Committee is composed of chairman Dalton Wright, Earl Hyed, Bill Liversedge, John Rosasco, Hunter Nugent and Bud Lowe.

Six Wrecks Mar Christmas Safety Record

Christmas Eve saw six minor automobile accidents with no injuries in Coral Gables, but not a single smash-up had been reported up to nine this morning. Gables police arrested three for reckless driving. Nora A. Taylor, 67, of 810 Avenue Algaria and Samuel J. Earp, 27, of 1003 Avenue Obispo, whose cars knocked at Majorca and Cortez yesterday afternoon, were both charged with reckless driving as a result of the mishap. A Philbrick ambulance on an emergency call, was involved in a slight accident at Ponce de Leon Boulevard and Avenue Alcazar yesterday evening. The ambulance struck a car driven by Stanis W. Meensel, 53, of 120 NW 48th Place. The damage was slight and the ambulance proceeded on its way to another accident, where it turned out that nobody was injured. Andre E. Mercier, 23, of 1820 NW 53rd Street, was booked on charges of failing to report an accident after his ice truck had run into a darkened parked traffic on the 500 block on Alhambra yesterday.

City Asks Bids On 280,000 Gallons of Gas Fuel Required For Busses, City Vehicles In 1948

Coral Gables will require over 282,000 gallons of gasoline to operate its busses and other vehicles during 1948, City Manager William T. McIlwain revealed today. The estimate was made in connection with a call for bids to supply the necessary fuel, when the present contract with the Atlantic Refining Company expires on January 7. McIlwain said that sealed bids must reach his office by 10 a. m., December 29 to be considered. The city has underground storage tank facilities with a capacity of 7,025 gallons and owns its own tanks and pumping equipment. The city is now having its requirements for gasoline supplied in transport quantities with an average delivery of 4,000 to 6,000 gallons. "Gasoline is purchased in quantities corrected to 60 degrees Fahrenheit," McIlwain stated. The point of delivery will be at tanks installed at the City Equipment Yard on the southeast corner of LeJeune Road and Avenue Ferdinand. "All proposals must definitely state whether or not there is a guaranteed maximum price per gallon," McIlwain commanded. The city has reserved the right to reject any or all proposals.

Two Firemen Are Injured In Xmas Blaze Early Morning Fire Menaces New Apartment

Two Coral Gables firemen were injured today in an early morning fire which destroyed a tool shed and partially damaged a $100,000 apartment building under construction on Avenue Madeira between Galiano and Douglas Road. The blaze, which caused Gables to illuminate a Christmas morning sky, brought nearly 100 telephone calls to the Coral Gables switchboard and caused another fire truck to be sent speeding to the scene. Burned on the hands were Firemen C. T. Wallace and Edward R. Ray. They were blistered as they moved close to the flames in an effort to save the neighboring apartment building. The tool shed, which contained all of the screens for the new structure as well as numerous tools, was completely destroyed. The firemen battled the fierce flames for over an hour. Fireman Wallace had both feet, both legs and an arm broken, and Police Sergeant Cy Guess was killed when they were run down by a drunken driver at the scene of a fire that broke out early Christmas morning in 1928. No estimate of the damage in today's fire has been made as yet, but firemen said it would be several thousand dollars.

'Meanest' Thieves Take Xmas Gifts

There were two persons in Coral Gables last night mean enough to steal a Christmas gift and one of them was low enough to pilfer a gift with a two-year-old baby looking on. A. Bismarck of 5031 SW 73rd Terrace reported to police yesterday that several gifts were stolen from his car. He said his child had "some girl" had come and taken them. Mrs. T. G. Webb of 4245 SW 3rd Street said gifts including a cigarette lighter, eight aluminum glasses, tie-holders and homemade cake and candy were taken from her car which was parked outside an Alhambra Circle apartment.

Mrs. Don Peabody Off on State Tour

Mrs. Don Peabody and her mother, Mrs. Helen Dix, left Tuesday for a two-weeks tour of the State of Florida. They will spend today in Tampa with friends. Among other stops they will make will be one at Traviers where they will visit Mrs. Dix's son.

YOUR CARRIER

Editor's Note: This is the 15th in a series of articles introducing the young boys who deliver the daily Riviera-Times to your door. There's only one person who rides four miles on a bus-driver Paul Kilcoyne Sr. is at the wheel of the Country Club bus. That one passenger is Paul Kilcoyne Jr., who carries The Riviera-Times along Alhambra Circle and Avenue Almeria. Paul Jr. is 13, a football halfback and is saving his newspaper route earnings to buy a bike. Paul Jr. and Sr. live at 6633 S. W. 51st Street. The younger Kilcoyne's favorite subject is mathematics. He's a student at the Coral Gables Elementary School.