Coral Gables Riviera-Times

CORAL GABLES RIVIERA

PUBLISHED MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOONS VOL. 21—NO. 82 (D) U.P. Leased Wire CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1947 8 PAGES FIVE CENTS

GREEKS ROUT 2,000 RED GUERRILLAS SEEKING SEAT FOR 'NEW GOVERNMENT'

ATHENS, Dec. 26. (UP)—The Greek army reported that it routed from Konitsa today a force of 2,000 guerrillas who for 10 hours laid siege to the mountain stronghold of northwest Greece in apparent hope of a capital for their newly proclaimed communist "government." The flareup of hostilities came on the heels of the reported arrest of between 40 and 450 communists in Athens and Piraeus in an alleged plot to assassinate former Premier Stylianos Gonatas, leader of the National Liberal party. Police said the plot was uncovered Dec. 9 when two communists were arrested after a shooting affray. The purported plot entailed plans for widespread sabotage as well as the assassination of Gonatas.

Season's Heaviest Snowfall Blankets Northern States

BY UNITED PRESS The season's heaviest snowstorm, accompanied by high winds and biting cold, lashed the eastern seaboard from Main to Maryland today, crippling transportation and bringing delays and suffering to millions of persons. The storm, which started in the early morning hours, showed no signs of abating after covering the area with a blanket of from three to five inches of snow. Warnings were sent out that some sections would be under a foot or more of snow before it was over. In New England, it was the second major snowstorm in less than 72 hours. The weather bureau in Boston said a fall of 10 to 12 inches—and possibly more—could be expected as the area felt the full fury of a fierce nor-easter sweeping up from the south. Winds ranged from 20 to 60 miles an hour.

Jewish Leader Slain, Others Imperiled In Arab Ambush

JERUSALEM, Dec. 26. (UP)—The head of the Jewish Agency's Youth Immigration department was killed and other prominent Jewish leaders, including Mrs. Gold Mayerson, had a close brush with death today when their motorcade was ambushed by Arabs near Jerusalem. Hans Beydt, immigration department head, and a man identified only as Tishbi were slain in the Arab ambush outside Moxa near Jerusalem. A Jewish policeman and three others were wounded seriously. An official statement said five Arabs and three Jews were killed and 11 Arabs and 10 Jews were wounded in a street battle in Haifa flaring intermittently yesterday and today. The casualty toll in Holy Land strife mounted steadily. Unofficial reports had set it as 25 Arabs, 10 Jews and two Britons killed in Christmas Day battles.

Cold Germ (One Kind) Isolated By Health Unit

WASHINGTON, Dec. 26. (UP)—The U. S. Public Health Service announced today that it has isolated the agent which apparently causes "one kind of tough common cold." By cultivating the agent in fertile hens' eggs, it "has pointed to the possibility, but not the probability" of the development of a vaccine to combat the ailment. Drs. Norman H. Topping and Leon T. Atlas used 200 men volunteers from among the inmates of the District of Columbia reformatory at nearby Lorton, Va. in their research. They detail their scientific sleuthing in the issue of Science Magazine which appears today.

Tojo Testifies He Alone Decreed Pearl Harbor Attack

TOKYO, Dec. 26. (UP)—Hideki Tojo, the only surviving member of the Axis triumvirate that plunged the world into its second and most devastating global war, admitted today at his trail on war crimes charges that he alone was responsible for the Pearl Harbor attack. Obviously nervous, the bald, 63-year-old former premier of Imperial Japan stepped to the stand to tell the international military tribunal for the Far East that he had committed no crimes. Tojo, nicknamed "The Razor" when Japanese forces held half China and most of Southeast Asia, attempted to shield Emperor Hirohito from blame for the attack on the Hawaiian naval base and the Pacific war that cost 1,000,000 Allied lives. Even though he was on trial for his life, Tojo was the only witness in his own defense. He said that he alone was ultimately responsible for ordering the Japanese aerial attack on Pearl Harbor Dec. 7, 1941.

Iran-Red Diplomatic Break Seen Over Oil Concessions

TEHRAN, Dec. 26. (UP)—Sources close to the Soviet embassy said today they expected a break in diplomatic relations with Russia and Iran, long at odds over oil concessions which the Soviets seek in this country. Soviet ambassador Ivan Sadchikov and most of his entourage were reported by unofficial but usually trustworthy sources to have departed in a special plane for New Delhi. The strain on relations between Iran and Russia was increased recently when parliament rejected a provisional agreement on oil concessions to the Soviets.

Brokers Asked For Names Of Officials In Market

WASHINGTON, Dec. 26. (UP)—Secretary of Agriculture Clinton P. Anderson today asked all brokers for names of all government employes or members of their families who had commodity trading accounts during the past two years. The brokers were ordered to state under oath whether or not Federal, state or local government officials had accounts on their books from Jan. 1, 1946, to Dec. 15, 1947. There are 623 commodity market brokers in the nation. The brokers were told they must answer not later than Jan. 3.

Holiday Deaths Reach 282

Death refused to take a holiday along with celebrating Americans today and 282 persons died violently in highway accidents and other tragedies. Highway crashes, fires and other mishaps were taking a toll of almost eight dead each hour for the 36 hours ended at 6 a.m. today. Traffic accidents accounted for 162 dead and other types of accidents for the other 120. California led with 32 dead but a hotel fire in which seven died boosted the Texas total to 22 for second place. Pennsylvania was next with 17. New York had 16. Illinois and Michigan had 15 each.

SEEK BANDIT IN HOLDUP OF GABLEITE | Alarm Broadcast After Thief Gets $240 and Watch

An alarm was broadcast today for a lone bandit who held up a Gables resident at 5:40 this morning and escaped with $240 in cash and the man's wrist watch. The victim was Roy Phillips of 1213 Wallace Street who told police that the unmasked bandit had shoved a pistol in his face when he stepped for a stop at street, relieved him of his wallet and watch and then fled in another automobile. Phillips said he had just taken a girl friend home and was heading for the Miami curb market when the hold-up occurred. He stated that he came to a complete stop at Northwest 22nd Avenue and 21st Terrace and that another car pulled up behind him and a man got out. The bandit walked up to Phillips' car, jabbed a pistol in his face and said, "Buddy, give me your billfold". When Phillips complied, the bandit also demanded his watch, valued at $45, then ran to his car, jumped in and sped away. Phillips was unable to describe the car other than that it was an old model. He also did not know whether or not the bandit had a confederate.

Fire Damage To Apartment Tops $1,000

Well over a thousand dollars in damage was done by the Christmas morning fire which destroyed wood shed and partially damaged a $100,000 apartment building under construction at Avenue Madeira between Galiano Street and Douglas Road, Lt. Earl S. Scobee of the Coral Gables Fire Department said today. Screens, nails, lights and light fixtures and tools were in the shed which burned to the ground and two stucco of the apartment itself, as well as doorjams and window frames were scorched, said Scobee. Three glass windows on the apartment building were cracked by the heat of the flames, the lieutenant added.

Listen to the Riviera-Times reporter, broadcasting at 5:30 p.m. daily, Monday through Friday, Station WBAY.

Average Gables Driver Pays $331.50 in Taxes on Car

The state and federal governments have collected $331.50 from the average Coral Gables motorist in taxes on the gasoline he has used in the automobile he now owns, according to Glen P. Woodard, Jr., executive secretary of the Florida Petroleum Industries Committee. Woodard based this figure on a recent survey made by the Crowell-Collier Publishing Company, New York, which found that the speedometers on cars in communities of over 2,500 population registered an average of 58,000 miles. The $331.50 figure does not include State automobile registration fees, it was pointed out. New Car Taxes Cited The survey, according to Woodard, shows that the average car is a 1940 model. "But," he explained, "this in no way means that new car purchasers are stepping into a bright, shiny vehicle that is unencumbered by taxes. At present rates of taxation the new car pur-(Please Turn to Page Three)

ON THE INSIDE

Classified | 8 Crossword Puzzle | 7 Comics | 7 Editorials | 4 Movies | 2, 3 Riviera Time Table | 3 Radio Programs | 4 Society, Woman's Page | 4, 5 Sports | 6

TODAY'S WEATHER

Clearing and colder today. Clear and colder tonight. Saturday generally fair and continued rather cold. Northerly winds, fresh today and tonight, becoming moderate Saturday.

Frank Hoover, operator of the Venus Beauty Salon and active in underprivileged child work here, has been placed on the "critical" list at Jackson Memorial Hospital. He was sent to the hospital last week.

New Homes May Apply For Exemption | Date Moved Ahead to Avert January Rush

Homestead exemption applications for new construction will be accepted as of today in the office of the county tax assessor, Thomas C. Blount, city tax assessor, boring reported today. Blount said that normally, the applications are not taken until after Jan. 1, but that County Assessor Newt Lummuss had moved up the date in an attempt to handle the large volume anticipated this year. Renewal forms on already existing property will be mailed to home owners within the next few days. The city of Coral Gables is using the county list of exempted homes in compiling its own assessment rolls, and it is not necessary to file an additional exemption application at city hall, Blount said. He advised property owners that it will be necessary to take their deeds with them when they go to the county court house to fill out their application forms. They are also required to file tangible and intangible personal property tax returns at the same time. April 1 is the deadline for filing homestead exemption applications.

TELLS BOWL PLANS

Plans for this year's Orange Bowl festival were outlined today by John G. Thompson, committee Chairman, who addressed the Rotary Club at the Country Club of Coral Gables.

FIRST 1948 BABY 'ON THE HOUSE'

The first baby to come into the world in Coral Gables in 1948 will make its entrance on the house," it was announced at the Coral Gables hospital today. The hospital will not bill the parents of the number one baby of 1948 and an additional move is under way to interest local merchants in contributing baby clothes gratis. Members of the Miracle Mile Association and the Chamber of Commerce are reported interested in the plan.

TOT ENTERS HER PLAYHOUSE IN HOME DECORATION CONTEST

Five-and-one-half-year-old Mary Stuart Patton has entered her own playhouse in the annual Chamber of Commerce Christmas home decoration contest, it was revealed today. Mary Stuart's "home" is located at 910 Avenue Anastasia on the rear of the grounds of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Patton of 3211 Riviera Drive. Denman Fink, William H. Merriam and George Baker will tour Coral Gables this evening to judge the 16 homes entered in the competition. Entries also include: Mrs. J. M. Blow, 1421 Avenue Milan, A. P. Berry, 1101 Avenue Castille, Dr. and Mrs. C. H. Neill, 2320 Segovia Circle, J. LeRoy Farmer, 6209 Granada Boulevard, Mrs. C. M. Ballard, 713 Avenue Minorca, F. F. Brooks, 4541 Riviera Drive, Mrs. Edward Toomey, 1117 Alhambra Circle, Bernard A. Czekaj, 234 Avenue Calabria. Others are: Mrs. M. A. Peterson, 916 Alberea Street, Mrs. Frank Kern, 3610 Alhambra Court, Mrs. J. W. Fulton, 822 Avenue Alfonso, W. F. Brown Jr., 814 Pizarro St., Mrs. Bernard Good, 3401 Granada Boulevard, Mrs. L. R. Weston, 1506 Lisbon Street.

ROAD REPAIR SURVEY STARTED IN COUNTY

A hit-and-run driver was sought, a 75-year-old man who police say drove his car up on a LeJeune Court lawn was charged with drunken driving and two drunks were in city jail sleeping it off as Coral Gables police this morning put another Christmas behind them. The driver of a 1937 Buick sedan, which shortly before midnight struck a car owned by Truman L. Smith, 38, of 4250 S.W. 8th Street, was the object of a police search throughout Dade county. Smith, who is maintenance superintendent of the city bus system, said the sedan tore off into the night after the collision and he was unable to get the license numbers. Police say 75-year-old Henry P. Golden of 3179 S.W. 18th Terrace, was on the way to visit a girl friend yesterday afternoon when he lost control of his auto and it ran onto a lawn at 4828 LeJeune Court. He's charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. Robert A. Preissner, 20, of 690 N.E. 118th St., was under $25 bond on a reckless driving charge after a Christmas Day collision with a car driven by Albert J. Delgado, 24, of 4520 S.W. 15th St., at LeJeune Road and Avenue Madeira. James N. Gray, 1235 S.W. 6th St., and George Thomas, 1331 N.W. 71st St., were both charged with public intoxication.

Shabby Trujillo Home Here Gets $2,000 Face Lifting | DOMINICAN DICTATOR ORDERS WORK AFTER PROTESTS FROM NEIGHBORS

The City of Coral Gables moved today to bring about the repair of a residence owned by Rafael Trujillo, dictator of the Dominican Republic, following protests from neighbors who complained about its shabby appearance. Public Works Director L. W. Robinson, Jr., said that he had talked with officials at the Dominican consulate and with the Keyer Co., and that work would start immediately on the project. He said that $2,000 has been allocated by Trujillo for repairs on the residence, located at 3417 Alhambra Circle. The state of shabbiness the residence had reached was brought to public attention last week by Miami Times columnist Mary Helm Clarke. The palatial residence, known as "Glorianth," was built in 1927 by the late General Arthur Evans, credited as one of the show places of the Gables. A swimming pool is included on the property. Robinson had pictures taken of the place, showing awnings, faded by the sun and shredded by winds, hanging from the bare metal frames. Vines and shrubbery grow rampant or hang limp with neglect. Trujillo, as far as it could be learned, never occupied the residence and residents nearby have speculated on whether or not he has kept it as a haven in case one of the many revolutions that threaten the island republic is successful.

Klemer Named Community Chest Sunday Chairman

Albert M. Klemer, executive secretary of the YMCA, has been named chairman of the Community Chest Sunday Committee, it was announced today by A. L. Reynolds, Coral Gables, president of the Community Chest of Dade County, Inc. Community Chest Sunday will open the 1948 drive for the Community Chest Feb. 1 with a minimum goal of $848,597. Co-chairmen with Klemer are Martha Katherine Keel of the YWCA and Adjutant Richard T. Bergren of the Salvation Army. "The annual appeal for funds for 21 Red Feather agencies and the chest gets under way Feb. 2, but the chest committee is offering churches an opportunity to have carefully selected high school girls and boys representing the YWCA and YMCA deliver short Com-(Please Turn to Page Three)

Lack Of Homes Is Permanent | Campbell Cites Rapid Growth

Coral Gables and other communities in South Florida will continue to suffer from [?]hortage of housing for many [?] to come, Building Inspector [?]ert B. Campbell predicted today. Campbell based his prediction on the fact that residents of northern communities are moving to South Florida just as fast as new housing is completed, and will continue to do so as long as the houses continue to be built. "If we could build 40,000 modern-day priced homes in 1948, there would be 40,000 people that would come here to occupy them," the building official stated. Campbell said that Coral Gables will grow to about a 75,000 population in the next ten years, based on studies made by public utilities companies. The big demand at the moment, he stated, is for homes that can be built for six or seven thousand dollars, he said, adding that under present price conditions it is not possible to build that type of house in Coral Gables. He said that Dade County is now permitting builders in some sections to sell homes that are unfinished inside, if they have adequate plumbing and electrical facilities. "The people buy them, move in and plan to finish the interiors when they have additional funds," he said, adding that Coral Gables would probably never allow a similar practice because of its rigid zoning and building restrictions.

Chamber Inquiries Average 15 Daily

Inquiries at the Chamber of Commerce as a result of the city's national advertising campaign are averaging about 15 daily, it was reported today. The advertisements are keyed, and so far National Geographic magazine is leading in "drawing power" with Time, Wall Street Journal and Holiday following in that order. The Geographic replies outnumber Time 3 to 1.

Louis Baim Rites To Be Held Today

Funeral services were held today at 2 p.m. for Louis Baim, 3817 LeJeune Road, who passed away on Christmas morning following a long illness. The Coconut Grove man had come here from Chicago only two months ago. He was 70 years old. Baim was a tailor by profession. He is survived by three sons, Phillip, David, and Alexander, all of Chicago; and a brother, William, of Miami Beach.

Bowl Fete | Initial Event on for Tomorrow

Sailors and sailing fans will splash the fuse on the 1948 Orange Bowl Festival tomorrow afternoon as they launch the first event of Greater Miami's eight-day New Year's eve carnival at the Orange Bowl Regatta at Dinner Key. The spotlight will be focused on Coral Gables during two of those days with the presentation of the Aqua Follies water show at the Venetian Pool Monday night at 8 p.m., with a repeat performance plus the University of Miami-Syracuse boxing matches at the Coliseum the following night. The regatta will continue through Sunday morning and afternoon and lead into the arrival of the Ponce de Leon Caravel at Biscayne Bay, bringing the Spirit of Youth girl to open officially the Festival. The Orange Bowl Kickoff luncheon precedes the Aqua Follies and coronation of Miss Jeanne Biegger as queen at the Venetian Pool. Coral Gables major contribution to the festival is under the direction of Pete Desjardins, with several local girls carrying roles in the huge water ballet climax. Gablesites at Reception Mayor W. Keith Phillips will be Coral Gables' official representative and another Gableite, Stuart W. Patton, will be on the entertainment committee when holiday flowers, sparkling New Year's horns and colored balloons lend a (Please turn to Page Three)

West Miami Sets Zoning Hearing

A public hearing on re-zoning portions of S.W. 9th and 15th Streets will be held by the city of West Miami next Tuesday night at the Sylvania Heights Elementary School. The proposed change at S.W. 9th St. would be from a residential to a business zone, while the shift would be from single to duplex on S.W. 15th St.

Airborne Santa Claus' Condition is Improved

W. C. Wirick, the airborne Santa Claus whose plane crashed while he was on his way to an orphans' Christmas party at Kendall, was reported "improved" today at Coral Gables Hospital. The bones in Wirick's face were crushed in the crash and he has been given several blood transfusions.

GULFSTREAM PARK RESULTS

FIRST RACE— Toss Barker | 44.70 | 19.60 | 13.30 Celestial Blue | 8.40 | 5.80 Catcher Upper | 23.90 SECOND RACE— Graymar Bonnie | 8.00 | 4.90 | 3.90 Together | 5.40 | 3.50 Princess Nell | 12.80 DAILY DOUBLE: 194.40' THIRD RACE— Musician | 5.80 | 3.80 | 2.90 Scotch Bim | 6.90 | 5.20 Alairne | 5.50 Tomorrow's Entries On Page Three

City Promises Bus Service For Two Areas | Routes Hinge On Improvement Of Highways

County Engineer Earl J. Rader today began a survey of the roads west of Coral Gables prior to launching a repair program to enable the city to extend bus service to the area. Rader said he was making the study in response to a request from Coral Gables, and expected to have it completed in a few days. The city has expressed willingness to serve the residents of the area with two bus lines, providing road repairs are made. Chester Smith, director of transportation, said that the busses could not run over the roads in their present condition. One line would serve the city of West Miami and the surrounding territory, while the other would traverse Bird Road, enabling persons living nearby to come to Coral Gables to shop. Smith said that $500,000 was available to repair storm damaged roads in Dade county. Of the amount $300,000 has been supplied by the State Road Department, with the county supplying the balance. Rader said that he could not tell, until after he had made his survey, how much could be allocated for work west of the Gables. The city had hoped to start service there in January.

Finance Director Returns January 5

City Finance Director C. I. Poorman, who took his family to Illinois for a "white Christmas," will return to his desk on January 5, it was announced at city hall today.

HANKIE MAKERS SNUB GABLES

An irate woman subscriber called the Riviera-Times office today to complain that Coral Gables is being snubbed when it comes to handkerchiefs. It seems, said the subscriber who refused to give her name, that a Miami department store advertised handkerchiefs that depicted Miami and neighboring communities. "They had Hialeah handkerchiefs and Coconut Grove handkerchiefs, but no Coral Gables handkerchiefs," she complained, "and I think something should be done about it." How about it, Chamber of Commerce?

YOUR CARRIER

• Editor's Note: This is the 16th in a series of articles introducing the young men who deliver the daily Riviera-Times to your door. Marvin Barker, the carrier salesman who delivers The Riviera - Times along Ferdinand Street, Lisbon Street and the Country Club Prado, may not be the champion bubble - gum chewer of the southeastern states, but he's pretty good. Marvin can blow a bubble the size of a saucer and chiclet and the size of a basketball. Marvin is in his first year at Ponce de Leon High School and wants to go to the University of Pennsylvania to study to become a veterinarian when he finishes at Ponce. He wants to buy a motor scooter with his earnings from the newspaper game, and is well on the way to realizing his dream, His only complaint is that with delivering papers every day, he won't have enough time for basketball this winter.