The Coral Gables Times

THE Coral Gables TIMES

"THE CITY BEAUTIFUL" Vol. 36, No. 51 16 Pages Thursday, February 1, 1962 Phone HI 3-1661 Price 10c

For You

On page 4 today you'll find an interesting new feature called "Faces in Our Town." These are pen and ink drawings of Gables people, done by the talented brush of Don Ink, our staff cartoonist. The feature will run on alternate Thursdays. The first subject is Arthur Lundeen, a lawyer who became a bank president.

Transit Strike? We Profit as Our Buses Triple Miami Runs

By MAURICE LABELLE Times Reporter While most of the county is suffering from the Miami Transit bus drivers' strike, it may afford Coral Gables a chance to operate in the black for the first time in years. The annual loss to the municipally owned and operated system has been estimated variously at from $60,000 to $100,000. A change may accrue in several ways, City Manager L. W. Robinson Jr. pointed out this week. Although Robinson was reluctant to claim any great advantages until the City has the money in the coffers, he pointed out that buses have been tripled-up on the already profitable Coral Gables-Miami run. The City of Miami has also lifted restrictions on the Gables buses picking up and discharging passengers within Miami city limits. After today (Thursday), the South Miami Coach Lines, one of the William Pawley-owned companies will also be on strike, opening the way for additional service as far west as Westwood Lake area through the newly-established route to Baptist Hospital. Already a popular route, the added load is bound to mean additional business, Robinson indicated. Residents in the perimeter areas of Douglas Road, Flagler Street, Tamiami Trail are now taking various Gables buses to the terminal for transfer to Miami, Robinson said. "No new routes are being established," Robinson said. One facet of the strike that will cut down on any potential gains is the traffic jams that tie up buses and make the going slow, he said. For that reason he was reluctant to predict the possible gain. Metro considered purchase of the system at one time but found it had more than it could handle in attempting to buy the Pawley system for $7.7 million. The plan, if and when Metro ever takes over the Pawley lines, is to work out a cooperative arrangement with Coral Gables.

We Join 20th Century, Permit Coin Laundry

Coral Gables' first coin-operated launderette was approved unanimously Tuesday by the City Commission, overriding the objections of the Zoning Board, a few neighboring residents and property owners. Sheldon Dubler, the owner, got approval following a week's delay in which the feelings of South Miami were sounded by City Manager L. W. Robinson Jr. South Miami came out positive and Dubler got his okay for a launderette at the northeast corner of Red Road and San Ignacio Avenue. In getting approval, which required a change of use to permit this type of operation in a business district, Dubler had to agree: Not to open on Sunday; open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.; construct a parking lot to the City's specifications; require proper attire; not allow alcholic beverages to be consumed; not have bright lights on at night; and have a hedge.

Play Area For Negroes In Works

A complete plan for development of Pierce Playground in the Negro area received favorable reaction by the City Commission Monday. Architect Kenneth Treister, who designed a similar facility at Sunrise Harbour, presented his plan to the Commission at Monday's conference. The Commission agreed to consider the proposal—estimated to cost between $10,000 and $16,000—at budget time. At the same time the Commission indicated they were also ready to go ahead with a $1,600 shelter at Sunrise Harbour park.

More Tennis

Riviera Country Club has asked permission to construct three more tennis courts on the golf course. A public hearing has been set for Feb. 12 before the Coral Gables Zoning Board. The club has three courts now. The new courts would be south of existing courts off Blue Road.

STEPPING OUT WITH A MARTIAN? Mrs. John Costello, 758 University Dr., was one of several hundred people at last week's Blast Off Party at Coral Gables Country Club. That fellow with her was there for effect. Mr. Costello is further to the right, out of camera range.

Metro: We Can't Help You Now

Metro said no yesterday (Wednesday) to helping Coral Gables widen Grand Avenue. Try us in our new budget which becomes effective Oct. 1, advised County Manager Irving McNayr. The budget is being prepared now. McNayr said that his public works department advises him that the portion of Grand Avenue under discussion is not badly enough deteriorated to justify switching funds from previously allocated projects. The practical effect of the whole matter is that the City of Miami will proceed with its project to widen Grand Avenue from downtown Coconut Grove west to Douglas Road. It will be later that the portion west of Douglas Road to Dixie Highway — part of it in Miami and part in Coral Gables — will get work. At the request of Coconut Grove citizens, the City of Miami belatedly asked the Gables to widen its portion of Grand Avenue so a boulevard could be made the whole length. Cost on the Gables' portion is estimated at $200,000 and our City Commissioners said they thought Metro should bear the expense. Grand, which is heavily used, will be widened to 70 feet under the City of Miami's project.

Boy Burned By Vandal

A 12-year-old Coral Gables boy was burned on the head and neck Sunday when another unidentified youth threw some burning gasoline at him. Robert French, son of Mr. and Mrs. William G. French, 1201 San Ignacio Ave., was treated at Doctors' Hospital for the burns shortly after 5 p.m. The boy told his parents that the youth who threw the flaming liquid at him was riding a girl's bike at the time. He could give no explanation for the attack.

Bomb Scare Stops Music At Center

A scheduled dance at the Coral Gables Youth Center was cancelled suddenly Saturday night after a bomb scare. The dance for teenagers was called off by Lt. Floyd Neff of Coral Gables police after an unidentified youth called Mrs. Evelyn McClain, a center employe, and warned that a bomb had been planted behind the auditorium stage and was set to go off at 8 p.m. Neff, Sgt. Carl J. Fieler and Officers Robert L. Scobee, Robert Durkis and G. F. Rusk combed the center for the bomb but found none. But Neff deemed it wise to close it just in case.

Speak Up, Faculty Told, But Be Sure It's 'U' and Not UM

The University of Miami has re-affirmed and spelled out the right of its faculty and staff to speak out as individuals — but it cautioned them to emphasize they are not speaking for the University. It was done last week in a resolution adopted by the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees. At the same time, the Administrative Council, headed by Dr. Robert Johns, executive vice president, sought to curb what it termed "unauthorized public reporting of deliberations of the Student Honor Council by members of the council." The action of Executive Committe stemmed partly from the controversy over the Homestead oil refinery in which various U.M. employes have become active and vocal. William Howland, assistant to the president and director of public information, said that the resolution does not in any way gag these activities but advises the participants to point out that the opinions expressed are their own. The position on the Student Honor Council resulted from what the University says was the unauthorized and inaccurate reporting of cribbing activities leaked by a member of the council and which appeared in The Miami Daily News 10 days ago.

"Professional packers and wrappers for shopping or mailing. "The Barefoot Mailman" 234 Valencia Ave., C. Gables.

Jaywalking Course Slated To Close at Gables High

A chain link protective fence will be constructed along Le Jeune Road to keep students from jaywalking across the newly widened highway. The Dade County Board of Public Instruction has called for bids on the fence, to run the length of the school on Le Jeune. There will be only two openings in the fence — one at Altara Avenue and another at the Bird Road intersection.