The Coral Gables Times

Thursday, March 15, 1962, page 4 (of 20)

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Need We Be Protected From Ourselves?

It is unfortunate that the people of Dade County apparently are going to be denied an opportunity in May to vote on the issues of Metro. Neither the so-called Crandon Committee nor the Metro Charter Review Board are putting forth significant changes for the charter. Metro's over-centralized power would remain intact. We particularly are displeased with the Charter Review for apparently it means only to whitewash what exists without sufficient regard for the bellyaches it heard as it made its rounds of public meetings in the county. A couple of proposals on Crandon's list we like but for the most part his, too, are much ado about nothing. We like the idea of an independent Port Authority for this is an area which in time will require substantial attention, attention which the Metro Commissioners can't afford to give. His idea about returning Metro Courts to municipalities of 2,500 people or more we'd like to take a little closer look at. The Times is of the opinion that the people of the county are dissatisfied with Metro's brand of justice. It is cumbersome and inconvenient. Yet, we are told at least once a week by someone, be he editorialist or Metro judge, that it's an excellent system and that the people, if they really knew what it was all about, would approve. We'll take our stand with those prisoners who've been at the dock for we feel that they know better than anybody what Metro courts are like in practice. Now it may be that these thousands of people are bigoted and misguided and don't approve of what their betters have drawn up for them. However, it remains, finally, as our choice and we see no need to protect us from ourselves. Let's vote on it.

We Applaud the Spirit

That's good news that the Mayor and the Gables Chamber of Commerce are getting together on the idea of how to have effective commercial development in the City. Each side will contribute two men to a Commercial Development Committee and the foursome will chose a fifth. This certainly is to be preferred to rival development groups sponsored by each of the parties. As we have said before, we think that commercial development has its logical place under the Chamber of Commerce structure. This move is in that direction. The Times applauds the spirit shown by both Mayor Searle and the Chamber officials in reconciling differences on the matter.

No Free Tickets

We were somewhat surprised to receive in the morning mail a letter running elsewhere on this page which defends the right of the Chamber of Commerce to put its hand in the Coral Gables treasury. Why? We were surprised because, first of all, we don't think there's any logical reason for the Chamber to receive city support. Secondly, we think there are compelling reasons why it shouldn't. And thirdly, the writer of the letter is himself a substantial businessman and community leader and, presumably an exponent of free enterprise. To be strong and to be independent, our Chamber must be self-supporting. The Chamber should take a stand on every important community issue, a responsibility it has not lived up to but one which we hope will be met after some current reorganization is accomplished. Our Chamber cannot be independent in its appearances before the City Commissioners if it comes in the role of one who receives a dole from the public treasury, even though it is a fairly nominal amount. The major reason why the Chamber shouldn't look to the city for financial support is because there is a sufficiency of business and dollars in our community of 35,000 people to do the job. The truth is that the Chamber has leaned on city hall because until this year it hasn't gotten off its haunches to get members. It still, however, must revise its dues structure before it can have a proper financial base. We believe that will be done. And as for the fact that Chamber projects benefit the whole community ... so do various projects of the Methodist Church, Coral Gables Times, Temple Judea, Boy Scouts and dozens of other organizations. But none is entitled to a free ticket at city hall.

From Readers, Opinions of Many Hues

EDITOR: The Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce is not "a thing." Occasionally it is a room full of business and professional men. Most of its projects and activities are for the benefit of the total Gables population. In this, it differs from the Retail Merchants Division. Therefore, 590 members should not bear the burden of financing for the 35,000 residents projects which nurture or enhance the property values or comforts of living in the Gables. City taxes spread the cost burden to all proportionately. So, for years the city has assumed a share of the costs of projects MANAGED by the Chamber of Commerce. And rightly so. In some states, one can pay his poll taxes by working on the county roads, or in cash. When 17 per cent of our Gablites contribute cash and labor to make the Chamber program work, the remaining 83 per cent are getting a bargain for the city's share of the budget. One thing more many of us know that when the present chamber offices were renovated, the city commissioners agreed to "extras" not contemplated in the original contract cost. The money was advanced from the chamber's reserve funds to be replaced by city appropriation from the next fiscal year. The title to the property is owned by the city not the Chamber of Commerce. Let's get more of the 83% to bring their cash and civic effort to the Chamber's march of progress. ONE OF THE DIRECTORS * * * EDITOR: The article on "muzzling" in his "Off Beat" column by Maurice Labelle was strangely weak and annoying obscure, possibly because (to use his own phrase) "of the undertones of possible and questionable motivation." One wonders just what is Mr. Labelle's point of view. First he notes that the brass hats are not really muzzled because what they say does not actually follow the printed speech they have promised to read. One would think that that would nearly satisfy those opposed to so-called muzzling. But Mr. Labelle goes on to correctly point out that censorship means little if not enforced, and leaves one wondering: Does he feel that there should be enforcement; or does he feel that since there is no enforcement why not let the brass say anything they want to? But I think Mr. Labelle subtly makes himself finally clear as favoring letting the brass say whatever they please. For he says "Suppose - just suppose - President Kennedy were wrong just once on some vital matter and no one spoke up because of the consequences?" This is, of course, absurd. On any vital matter, and even on inconsequential matters, there are plenty of civilians and elected officials who can and would speak up. And do. Even the generals may pass the word to these or up the line of their own command. But the decision must and should rest with the commander-in-chief. Otherwise there can only be chaos and defeat. And, to paraphrase Mr. Labelle again: Suppose - just suppose-that a general were wrong just once on some vital matter. Would he permit a private in the ranks to agitate against the general's orders and force the general to listen to him (as the general does his captive audience)? Come, come, Mr. Labelle, where do you stand? ROBERT H. THRONE 417 Santander Ave. * * * EDITOR: Please start my subscription to your paper. The weather here is horrible and believe you me that there is no other ideal weather than the ideal weather in Southern Florida. I hope to return to it one day. DOROTHY CIMINO Chula Vista, Calif.

EVERYBODY'S Business By Rolfe Neill

A Joy Forever If you've not been that way lately, try going down the recently beautified section of Giralda Avenue, east of Ponce de Leon Boulevard. It's a honey. And it's actually more desirable in some ways, than Miracle Mile. It's more intimate. That's quite a diversified list of businesses in there, too. * * * Watching That row of cars you may have noticed parked across from the House of Montell evenings contains people watching an ingenious TV screen Bob Montell has rigged to provide continuous entertainment to passersby. * * * It Figures Some things you might not know . . . That of our some 180 million Americans, 22.3 million are veterans. The breakdown: World War I, 2.5 million; World War II, 15.1 million; Korean, 5.5 million; plus 147,000 others. * * * An Opinion See by the papers that the Metro-owned Vizcaya museum has lost $216,206 since Metro took it over from the John Deering estate. There was an $8,060 loss during the last fiscal year although admission increased by more than 10,000 during the same period. The whole project's a lost one as far as I'm concerned. If Vizcaya is a treasure, it is one principally because it houses so many high-priced monstrosities. As for either beauty or function, it has neither in my opinion. I'd never take another visitor there. * * * About Oil Gulf Oil Corp., which is locating substantial exploration and office interests here, said last week that the growth rate of petrochemicals will continue to be substantially higher than that of the chemical industry as a whole and the overall U.S. economy. Petrochemicals have been growing, in terms of plant investment, at the rate of 13 per cent a year. This compares to about 8 per cent for the chemical industry and three per cent for the nation-al economy. If an oil refinery is okayed for Homestead - a proposition we have yet to be convinced is worthwhile - then we can expect the same sort of petro-chemical building to surge around it. Do we know what we're doing? * * * Auto Preview Amber colored front turnlight signals will be used on all 1963 model cars in place of white flasher lights. Engineers have found the amber color can be seen more readily than white against glaring reflections and also provide greater contrast against headlamps at night.

FACES IN OUR TOWN by INK

STAN ABRAMS MANAGER OF MODERNAGE GABLES HAS BEEN IN THE FURNITURE BUSINESS THE GREATER PART OF HIS WORKING CAREER. HE HAS A FLAIR FOR INTERIOR DECORATING BUT DOES THIS ONLY FOR HIS FRIENDS. STAN AND HIS WIFE DOROTHY HAVE FOUR CHILDREN; RHONDA 12, MITCHELL 7, AND TWINS ROBERT AND RICHARD 2 YEARS. STAN OWNS A BOAT AND LIKES FISHING.. BUT HAS LITTLE TIME FOR EITHER.

Robinson on High Wire

(A Review) It's difficult to see "Merton of the Movies" and think about much else than: Can Jay Robinson walk the high wire from the heavy dramatic role of Caligula to the opposite demands created by comedy? The result is currently showing at Studio M and by our estimate he made it handily. Robinson has the talent. He uses it well, although we suspect a bit nervously. After all, everybody around - including Robinson - knew this was The Big Test in his comeback. The play's pretty thin, centering around a Hollywood-struck lad from Simsbury, Ill., one Merton Gill, alias J. Robinson. Despite its dated ancestry, there is humor in it; it's fun to laugh in Studio M for a change of pace instead of going home as usual with a lacerated soul. Doris Bernhardt caught our eye as an old Hollywood moll who befriended the Illinois newcomer. Another major assist was that lent by Julian Voloshin as the prototype of the Hollywood director. He was excellent. -R.N.

THE Coral Gables TIMES

Established Jan. 15, 1926 Second Class Postage Published at Paid at Miami, Fla. 364 Sevilla Ave., Coral Gables 34, Fla. JOHN T. WATTERS | .President ROLFE NEILL | .Editor & Publisher ROBERT COLLINS | .Advertising Manager Murry Evans | .Circulation Manager Maurice Labelle, Raymond Lang | .Reporters Mrs. Key Squires | .Classified Manager Subscriptions: $4.20 year by mail anywhere

These Moms Take a Dive

The Venetian Aquatic Club, a group of Coral Gables and SW area mothers, will go to any depths to learn about water safety. And they did last Thursday. The club, which meets monthly at Venetian Pool, watched trained scuba divers from a school in Kendall dive to the depths of the pool while demonstrating water safety. Two Red Cross instructors will give a lecture and demonstration on water safety in a canoe.