The Coral Gables Times

THE Coral Gables TIMES

Established Jan. 15, 1926 Second Class Postage Paid at Miami, Fla. Published at 364 Sevilla Ave., Coral Gables 34, Fla. JOHN T. WATTERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . President ROLFE NEILL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Editor & Publisher Subscriptions: $4.20 year by mail anywhere

Why Peggy Beaton, Et Al Need To Reconsider

Well, we helped fight for a new library for our town and we're delighted that Librarian Peggy Beaton has it all tied up. But we're displeased with the site selection. It is being recommended that our $400,000 new library be jammed in behind City Hall between that building and the medical center. This would do several things: 1. It would destroy a needed open space behind City Hall, preventing expansion of that building. We don't need a bigger City Hall? Not now but how about in 1980 when we have 75,000 people, twice as many as now? 2. We believe it would destroy the aesthetics of the City Hall's own architecture. Visually, it is now a beautiful structure. Putting the library behind our municipal building will require double decking the parking lot and we've yet to see a handsome double decker parking garage. Additionally, this parking structure would blot out the rear of the library. 3. Putting the library there is seriously questioned by the experts hired and paid for by the City and blessed by Miss Beaton. Understandably, neither she nor the City are making much noise over the item on page 27 of the consultants' report. 4. Putting the library there is not recommended in the $12,000 report just in from Rader Associates. That firm has spent six months coming up with a comprehensive land use plan for our city. While— Rader's Not Infallible —it's interesting that Rader too, has different ideas about the placement of the Library. Rader makes a couple of proposals relative to the City Hall area which find favor with us. One suggests that Biltmore Way alongside City Hall be closed off and Merrick Park extended across it. This would certainly enhance the Miracle Mile-Le Jeune Road intersection as well as rectifying an impossible traffic intersection. Further, the planners suggest going a couple blocks west on Biltmore Way and dead ending it into Segovia Street. To do this, the first block of Biltmore Way west of Segovia — between Segovia and Cardena Streets — would be filled in. All of this would discourage further diffusion of the central business district, but more importantly it would create the possibilities of a City-owned tract for development of a civic center. Rader suggests that our fire and police station now needlessly situated in the central business could be withdrawn to this center and that our library would be a natural for this complex. We concur. Coral Gables cannot be measured against other cities — Hartford, New York, Los Angeles or you name it—for library location. We are unique in the proportion of population on wheels. Access via public transportation is not necessary. If it were, the library in its current awkward location in northern Coral Gables wouldn't be receiving the use it is. The fact that 14 per cent of its users are non-Gableites is further proof that— Location Isn't So Important —as is parking facilities. Incidentally, that percentage of out-of-city users is a figure we'll touch on next week in a different editorial. The Time urges the City Commissioners to review their thinking about locating our new library. If they're not moved by the editor's persuasiveness we'll quote them their own consultants: "The only disadvantage of the site is the possibility that some difficulty would be experienced in securing an adequate amount of first floor space. "It should be stressed that for economical staffing as well as for public convenience, a single floor operation is much to be preferred . . . The surveyors urge that a sufficiently large lot be assigned to permit all book services for the public to be placed on the ground floor." Know who underlined those words? The consultants themselves! They are men who direct the public libraries of Cincinnati, Denver and Washington, D.C. Let's follow their advice. We're paying $5,800 for it.

We Back Bob Brake

We'll take Bob Brake. The young Gables attorney is our choice in the runoff for the District 1 Metro seat. No part of Dade County — incorporated or unincorporated — should be more interested than Coral Gables in what Metro does. This is because our community has the most to lose at the hands of Metro commissioners should they choose to exercise all that kingly power which the Charter bestows upon them. In Brake, we believe there are forces of moderation as well as intelligence and energy. We've been a bit disappointed at his unwillingness to be tied down on the Seadade refinery issue and Crandon Amendments. So what if he won't be in a position to vote on them? His opinions would be indicative of his thinking. But we won't fault him too much for that. The Times believes that voters within the City as well as those without it will be ably served by Bob Brake. We respectfully commend him to you on Tuesday.

Postscript

All who attended last week's concert on Ponce de Leon Boulevard Plaza were thrilled, we believe, by the combination of the University of Miami Band's music, the lovely setting provided by Nature and that evening's moon over Miami. It was a magical kind of a night. After it was over, we thought: Now is the time for the City to look into acquisition of this island of land, owned by the McBride family. This space, just a few blocks south of our city's crossroads, is ideal for a park and public concert bandstand. The ground is sloping and the landscaping's beautiful, and sufficient, with those pines. If you believe the idea has merit, talk to our City Commissioners or express yourself at the Chamber of Commerce. The concert itself began with one man's stubborn, visionary insistence that it could be done; parks have been built in the same manner.

Where Our Library Shouldn't Go

Stanford: 'I'm Goin' to Be Boss'

Prior to the entrance of Dr. Henry King Stanford, the 25 students were restless with anticipation, hopeful and eager to have a certain question answered. The question was one in the thoughts of nearly all students on campus, no matter how much they may be disinterested in the general affairs of the University. Dr. Stanford appeared. The students rose to welcome him. His movements gave me the impression of what must be considered a mixture of self-confidence, humor and friendliness. His first words established the impression. Visibly, the students relaxed as he spoke. Dr. Stanford said he wanted his decisions to advance the University toward his promise of 'development." This word, I particularly took note of. In spite of the University being relatively young, the air about it is that all is settled. Yet, most students realize that all is not well within our school. Dr. Stanford's words bespoke his intention of a fresh start. Then came the question period. Finally, a past president of the Student Government rose. He apologized for the question, and then in the spirit of frankness prevailing asked it: "Sir, we know that in the past few years the power of the president which at one time resided under his authority has been vested in other hands. Will your position as president regain this authority?" When the new president of the University of Miami sat down last week with a couple dozen student leaders, we asked one junior for his impression. Here it is, unfortunately without his name. Due to a recently adopted University policy — a gross affront to student and faculty freedom, in our opinion — any such piece as this must go through UM censorship. To this we refuse to submit. Dr. Stanford took a few steps forward in his loose, meditative way. He put his hands behind him. Then he smiled. Pointing to himself, he said: "I'm goin' to be the boss." There was loud applause. Dr. Stanford seems like a good man.

Great Men on Films Is Quick Way to Mind

By PHILLIPS RUSSELL Correspondent The life of Dr. Frank P. Graham, former United States senator and University president, and for some years a United Nations mediator, is to be recorded on television film through an appropriation of $2,500 voted by the student government of the University of North Carolina. There is no reason why this example should not be followed by other states and institutions. Printed biographies have their value, but they have been known to suffer from undue laudation and occasional lapses from fact. But filmed biographies are by nature bound to stick close to truth and do not lend themselves easily to exaggeration. Most important of all is the fact that filmed stories of whatever kind are welcomed by the young and impressionable, whereas biography in print often fails to impress men until they are middle-aged or past their most active years. Every area or community ought to find means to preserve on film the life and activities of its good and useful men and women. Pictures thus made catch the appearance, movements, and characteristic traits of the subject while he is least self-conscious and least likely to be caught in a stiff and unnatural pose. We would give much for filmed biographies of Shakespeare, Milton, Queen Elizabeth, Julius Caesar, George Washington, and Thomas Jefferson, showing them as they were in life. If we have their equivalent today—and sometimes we do not find this out too late—now is the time to film them for video's preservation and for viewing by the generations to come.

MAILBOX

EDITOR: Congratulations to Coral Gables and in particular to Mr. Ed Crowley and his "Know Your University" project. We hope that this is the beginning of music programs for our City Beautiful. Orchids to Band Director Fred McCall. He has succeeded in making all in his audience, "Happy to be alive." THE A. CURLY CHAICLINS 245 San Sebastian Ave.

She Has Nominee For Prize

By HELEN D. O'NEILL Correspondent It is regrettable that the Pulitzer Prize trustee feel that no biography written in 1961 merits an award. The trustees, in a rare move, turned down the recommendation of their own advisory board which had chosen W. A. Swanberg's "Citizen Hearst." Our choice for this prize would be "Education in Violence: The Life of George F. Thomas and the Army of the Cumberland" by Francis F. McKinney. We feel that this biography meets all of the requirements of the advisory board. Thomas, a neglected and controversial figure, is considered by many to be the best general the Union armies produced. He received his military training at West Point and ranked 12th in hi sclass. After receiving his diploma—his credentials to violence—he was recommended for a commission as second lieutenant in the United States Army. He served in both the Seminole and Mexican Wars and in campaigns against the Texas Comanches. In 1850 he was recommended for the post of instructor o fartillery and cavalry at the United States Military Academy. All of this was training that helped him earn the title, "The Rock of Chicamauga." As Thomas was a VIRGINIAN BY birth, his personal decision was to remain with the Union Army at the beginning of the Civil War.