The Coral Gables Times

Thursday, May 25, 1961, page 18 (of 24)

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Ask A Man If He's a Loyal American--Then Duck

By MAURICE LABELLE Times Staffer Would you sign a loyalty oath? An oath pledging your allegiance to the United States and Constitution and swearing that you are not a Communist and do not and have not supported the Communist cause. And that you do not believe in forceful overthrow of the government? What It's All About This is the question that confronted the People to People Steering Committee which seeks to incorporate as an entry separate from the municipal government that created it to be part of the U.S. cultural exchange program. DECISION MADE The Coral Gables City Commission had decided earlier that the oath would be incorporated into the charter before the City would let go the reigns. Last week the committee voted 10-8 on a charter provision that went even farther than what the City Commission had asked. It will require all members to sign, whereas the Commission had only designated appointed members. This was a dramatic reversal from the 7-5 vote recorded the week previous to that in which the committee indicated a refusal to go along with the Commission. The action followed a compromise move by member Ed Russo to incorporate a clause in the proposed People to People charter that no member of the Communist Party be eligible for membership. NON-COMPROMISING But the City Commission was not in a compromising mood. The word came back from Mayor Robert L. Searle and Commissioners Joe Murphy, C. L. (Jerry) Dressel Jr., Dr. Franklin J. Evans and George Wilson: sign the oath or no charter. "The first committee meeting on the oath had been a warm one. Some committee members said they did not like being dictated to. There were other reasons. The mood was not to go along. In the second, feelings had crystalized. More members showed up. Minor items were taken up first, but everyone awaited expectantly the introduction of the controversial oath. It fell upon Mrs. Grayce Wedemeyer, a florist, to moderate the discussion in the absence of Robert Kingsley, the chairman. LEADS OFF Mrs. Dorothy Hosken, a University of Miami employe, led off the discussion for the antis. "I oppose all loyalty oaths at all levels for everybody," she said in opening. Mrs. Hoskem saw the oath as a violation of basic Constitutional rights and representing thought control. Dr. Richard E. Strain saw it differently. It was inconceivable to him that nay loyal American would refuse to sign a loyalty oath. The oath gives government a method of dealing with subversives, he said. Warren Blackmon, former Chamber of Commerce manager, was opposed. SIGNED BEFORE Said Blackmon: "I've signed the oath any number of times in connection with any number of things." But he did not believe he should be required to sign it in connection with the activities of the People to People program. Blackmon, who later called for unanimity after the oath had been approved, said it was unfortunately imposed on a civic organization, and an ineffectual way to fight Communism. It was at this point that Paul Andre, an insurance man, introduced the move to have all members take the oath. More discussion followed before the vote, however. Dr. Ralph S. Boggs, professor of Spanish and director of the International Center and Hispanic American Institute at the University of Miami sought a compromise. NO OATH He suggested going back to the Commission and talking them out of the oath provision. "The requirement is out of line with general practice," said Dr. Boggs. He said he had never been required to take any kind of an oath in working with many federal programs. Andre slugged hard for his proposal when his turn came. He had taken the oath many times before under duress, he said, but this time he was taking it voluntarily. Andre said the oath was an "expression of faith and opposition to Communist ideals," MORE HEAT It was an engineering firm owner, J. C. Fitzgerald, who breathed the most fire into the discussion. His voice growled as he vowed to destroy the organization if members did not agree to sign the oath. "I've never heard any sensible argument against signing the oath," Fitzgerald said. "If you have 50 people, you'll get at least one Communist, perhaps two," the engineer said. Ed Russo, an attorney in the same firm with Commissioner Murphy, split with his law partner, Joe Murphy on the oath issue. "The first guy who challenges my loyalty to the United States is going to get a punch in the nose," Russo said. "If we're going to do it to keep the people at City Hall happy, I'm not going to do it." Signing of the oath was described by Russo as symbolic and not required of other civic clubs. NOT AGAINST LAW "To this day it is not against the law to be a Communist," Russo said. "I wholeheartedly agree with those who are for signing the oath," said former commissioner Frank Kerdyk. Mrs. Wedemeyer's husband, H. C. Wedemeyer, said he was puzzled by it all. Yugoslavia, a Communist nation, is considered our friend and has received millions in aid from this country, he said. "We'll need friends," said Wedemeyer, "if these (Latin) countries go Communist. He did not think members should be forced to sign. The final vote came. Ten for, eight against and four abstentions. How would you have voted?

ELECTED TO BOARD

L. E. Goldman, 6501 Granada Blvd., has been elected to board of directors of Cedars of Lebanon Hospital.

LOEW'S RIVIERA

SO. DIXIE HIGHWAY NEAR RED ROAD THESE ARE THE YOUNG AND THE DAMNED! ACADEMY AWARD WINNER BURT LANCASTER the YOUNG SAVAGES

A BRIGHT NEW TASTE IN TEA

BIGELOW Constant Comment TEA Flavored for you with bits of ORANGE AND SPICE For you ... your family ... your guests BOTH LOOSE TEA AND TEABAGS RED ROOSTER 2335 Ponce De Leon Blvd. Coral Gables

WIN ALL-EXPENSE TRIP FOR TWO 2 WEEKS--ENGLAND & SCOTLAND

BOAC ROLLS-ROYCE 707 world leader in jet travel Travel arrangements by SITA world travel and Shaw Travel Service The Pub RESTAURANT & COCKTAIL LOUNGE TRADITIONAL OPEN-HEARTH COOKERY 3500 CORAL WAY MIAMI HI 5-1331

FLORIDA STATE THEATERS

IN CORAL GABLES Gables 2112 PONCE DE LEON OPENS 1:45 3rd BIG WEEK JERRY WALD'S RETURN TO PEYTON PLACE 20th Century-Fox CINEMASCOPE COLOR by DE LUXE Next Attraction ROBERT MITCHUM - JACK WEBB "THE LAST TIME I SAW ARCHIE" IN CORAL GABLES Coral 2331 PONCE DE LEON OPENS 1:45 NOW! WILD ROMAN HORDES RAVAGE A GOLDEN CITY "CARTHAGE IN FLAMES" Plus NEW & GREATEST ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD "SWORD OF SHERWOOD FOREST" KIDDIES SHOW SATURDAY DOORS OPEN 10:30 a.m. Cartoons, Comedy and Rib-Tickling 3 Stooges plus Kiddie Feature Plus Outstanding Feature

DAINTY LUNCHEONS FOR LADIES $1.00

11:00 A.M. TO 3:00 P.M. MONTE CARLO SANDWICH - Ham, Turkey, American Cheese & Coleslaw Grilled Together on Our Special Bread - Potato Salad - Pickle. TROPICAL FRUIT PLATE - Mellow Cantaloupe Trimmed with Tropical Fruit Sections, Cottage Cheese, Fiesta Jello Cubes - Saltines. DATE NUT BREAD - With Cream Cheese - Served with Fruit Salad on a Bed of Lettuce and Topped with a Touch of Refreshing Sherbet. RUEBEN SANDWICH - Corned Beef & Coleslaw on Rye Bread Grilled in Butter - Potato Salad - Pickle. SPECIAL LOW CALORIE PLATE - 1/4 Lb. Chopped Sirloin Steak - Elberta Peach Half - Cottage Cheese - Tomato - On a Bed of Lettuce - Saltines. Price Includes Choice of Fancy French Pastries or Other Dessert and Beverage. JAHN'S RESTAURANT ICE CREAM PARLOR 249 MIRACLE MILE HI 3-5756

WON TON

MIAMI'S ORIGINAL CHINESE FOOD - TAKE OUT Complete Wonton Dinner Piping Hot, Ready to Serve $1.00 WON TON WESTCHESTER SHOPPING PLAZA 8471 CORAL WAY CA 1-8511 163rd STREET SHOPPING CENTER 1229 N.E. 163rd St. WI 5-5469 OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

GALLERY PLAYHOUSE ... SUMMER WORKSHOP

THE JUNIOR DRAMA GUILD A Six Week Comprehensive Theater Course, Directed by Ester Brezo Speech ... Creative Acting ... Play Rehearsal Perform While You Learn 211 Giralda Ave. Phone MO 1-3894 or HI 4-4463

SUMMER "Ballet" COURSE

12 WEEKS-JUNE 12-SEPT. 1st NEW CLASSES IN: BALLET - TOE - CHARACTER CHILDREN, ADULTS, ADVANCED-PROFESSIONAL G. MILENOFF SCHOOL OF BALLET 251 PALERMO, CORAL GABLES, HI 8-5462

LINDY'S RESTAURANT

BREAKFAST SPECIAL JUICE, HOT CAKES COFFEE 39¢ JUICE, 2 EGGS, GRITS ROLL, COFFEE 45¢ 1555 SUNSET DRIVE MO 7-3535 WE CATER FOR YOU TOO. SEE OUR DELICATESSEN DEPT.

Thanks a Million PONCE GRILL

Celebrating its 1st Anniversary "WISHES TO THANK ALL THE NICE FOLK THAT MADE US SO HAPPY WITH THE FINE UNEXPECTED SUCCESS" "MARY EXTENDS A CORDIAL INVITATION TO ALL WHO HAVE 'WONDERED WHERE MARY WENT' " 4030 PONCE DE LEON BLVD., CORAL GABLES

HI FOLKS! WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND LUNCH AT LOFFLERS

A large variety of seafood specialties, tempting salads, wonderful chowder, raw bar ... Perk up summer appetites with one of our moderate priced luncheons. LOFFLER BROS. OYSTER HOUSE Coral Gables Oldest Seafood House 280 Alhambra Circle HI 6-1704 Noon Till 9 P.M. American Express and Hilton Carte Blanche Cards Honored LUNCHES SERVED DAILY FROM NOON TILL 4 P.M.