The Coral Gables Times

Too Many Fish Heads in Stew

By ELVA CHARLTON Correspondent Fish heads are boiling in a "stew" for the benefit of the colored people who live in the Gables. Simmer down, Maurice Labelle, as you describe the fish heads on the sink and the oozing garbage bags of the underprivileged colored folk living so close to us. Colored people are happier than either you or I. Why do we insist that they conform to our own standards of living? Every city has their slum area, and always and eventually they are cleaned up only to become slums again, ad infinitum. Many a time have I driven along Dixie Highway through the colored section when the shanties were still there. Fresh from Washington, D.C., I only saw the picturesqueness of the scene as colored folk built fires under the trees and grouped themselves around them to keep warm or to cook their meals. To me, it presented a picture of a way of life which was warm and closely knit. I envied them this warmth and their simplicity of living. One summer, I had a seashore cottage which was crammed to capacity with children, mine and others. Many a time did the garbage topple, if it didn't ooze, waiting for me to empty it. We cleaned fish, boiled crabs, stewed tomatoes, fell over baskets of cantaloupes and peaches, and all and all got the kitchen in an awful mess. When I got around to it, I cleaned it up. But when I got ready to clean the oven, it was always time to cook something in it. If I had to choose whether to scrub the kitchen or the children and myself, I always chose us. Suddenly, I had not only life to deal with; but death in the form of my parents. I hurriedly rented the summer cottage to help pay hospital bills. There was no time to clean. My tenants complained by long distance, that the cottage was not clean enough. I was insulted. "The woman's a fanatic," I told the broker. "Don't bother me with such trifles. Let her get somebody to clean it and take it out of the rent." But if I could make another choice today and step out of my modern, clean shining, four-empty-bedroom house in the Gables and go back to that summer cottage with the "fish heads on the sink and the oozing garbage bags" I would do it in a minute. That is life, my friend, and don't you ever forget it. And it makes no difference whether you are black or white. I have read readers' comments on Mr. Labelle's viewpoint. I would like to hear your comments to this.

THREE YEARS of work were rewarded this past weekend...

THREE YEARS of work were rewarded this past weekend in Washington, D.C., when Coral Gables High senior Jack Catlin, 17, 8120 SW 62nd Ave., won a $4,000 scholarship in the 21st annual National Talent Search. Catlin's project, which he began as a sophomore, was on cancer research. He placed ahead of 39 other finalists.

Doing business with friends

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Crittenden Hospitalized

Police Capt. Robert Crittenden is at Doctors' Hospital recuperating from an attack of ulcers. He was to be discharged later this week.

Coral Gables Rabbi Speaks Out An Approach by the Jews

Discrimination based on unfair, sometimes irrational considerations is practiced by many business, social, service and vocational associations. Jews are frequently - though never solely - among those discriminated against. Since Jews are often involved in general community projects, drives, and similar public service, this problem arises: How shall a Jew respond to an invitation to attend an affair for a worthy purpose sponsored by a "restricted," i.e., unfairly discriminating group, or being held at a "restricted" accomodation? The Florida Regional Board of the Anti-Defamation League, on which I serve, recently issued a recommendation the effect of which is this: Such an invitation should be refused; the reason for refusing should be made known to the inviter and the group. This may be done graciously, and need not - in act - prevent the refuser supporting a worthy cause financially. There is no need, however, for him to support at the same time an unworthy business enterprise or other accommodation. This policy is in process of adoption by other ADL Regional Boards and will soon be ADL National policy. It is intended as a general guide and unquestionably will prove inappropriate for some specific instances. But every thoughtful Jew will take this policy into respectful account when the occasion arises. Its more important aspect, is the making clear to inviting persons and groups why one is reluctant to attend. Morally, unfair discrimination is - after all - a problem of the distributer, not the discriminated against. It is up to the person who uses or is associated with an unfairly or irrationally discriminating enterprise to act to correct it. It is thought that many such persons are neglectful of their moral obligation either through ignorance of the situation or failure to realize the seriousness with which many Jews view such discrimination. This policy serves the best interest of such persons. It clarifies the situation for them; it brings the moral issue to their attention forcefully and encourages them to act appropriately. The rest is up to them. -Rabbi Mordecai Podet, Temple Judea, Coral Gables.

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OFF BEAT By MAURICE LABELLE

Reaction to the Times series on our slums has been strong and quick. Mayor Robert L. Searle, Vice Mayor Joe Murphy and Commissioners Franklin Evans, George Wilson and C. L. Dressel Jr. are to be commended for recognizing that something must be done and that this affords the City of Coral Gables an excellent opportunity to lead the way in creating a city that is truly 100 per cent beautiful. These people count and it is important that they have recognized that the rehabilitation program they had hoped would do the job fell short of the mark. Unfortunately all our citizens are not as compassionate and understanding. All the usual epithets are being used to describe anyone or group that would seek to help raise humanity just one little notch. To these minds there is no solution to the problem of slums but to perpetuate them. The obvious truth that man, given a chance, can better himself, escapes them. It is ironic in a way that it is they who are petrified and incapable of growth and change. Fortunately the forces for progress and advance have usually been strong enough to overcome this resistance and the world, somehow, has managed to inch its way upward. Had it not been so all of us would still be living in caves. -ML- Harry Bell, recently retired from the Coral Gables Police Department, adds a postscript to the feature story about him which appeared in the Times Dec. 7. A World War I buddy who always believed Bell had saved his life on the battlefield died recently in New Jersey without ever knowing the truth. The former police lieutenant and present head of the U.M. Campus Police, had never been able to convince County Judge Reed Pancoast that someone else was the real hero. -ML- Kids today don't enjoy the same things we did. Today we read that they sniff model airplane cement, assemble ready-formed plastic models and fool around with intricate electronic computers that didn't exist a few years ago and if they had we probably wouldn't have understood them. I kind of miss seeing kids rolling a barrel hoop or knocking an old rubber tire around with a stick, pushing a wagon scooter-fashion, setting off fireworks, playing tag or just whittling on a stick. When's the last time you saw that?

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