The Coral Gables Times

THE Coral Gables TIMES

4 CORAL GABLES TIMES Thursday, June 7, 1962 THE Coral Gables TIMES Established Jan. 15, 1926 Second Class Postage Published at Paid at Miami, Fla. 364 Seville Ave., Coral Gables 34, Fla. JOHN T. WATTERS | President ROLFE NEILL | Editor & Publisher Robert Collins | Advertising Manager Murry Evans | Circulation Manager Subscriptions: $4.20 year by mail anywhere

Note to Readers

We are giving up the space this week normally devoted to editorial comment to make room for the many letters received relative to University Court Motel's application for a liquor permit. The editor of The Times sees no reason for the City Commission to move in such tippey-toe fashion as hiding behind a referendum. However, if the Commissioners do feel the need for some sounding of public opinion — and this seems reasonable — we like the idea of Mayor Searle to hold a public hearing on the matter. After that, let the five men elected to do the job declare themselves.

We Asked for Comments--and How

EDITOR: The announcement has been made to the effect there will be no senior-junior Prom for Coral Gables High School students next year. At this point many parents are saying "good-riddance," if future ones were to follow the example of this year's event at Bayfront Auditorium. The word being exchanged these days concerning this affair deals mostly with what a "booze" party it was. It would seem reasonable to assume that a school with the prestige of Gables would promote a Prom which would be quite above reproach. However, bottles of liquor were circulated freely within the auditorium without any obvious attempt to correct the situation. I understand at least one boy passed completely out on the floor. Questions unanswered at the present are: 1. Why had not the PTA board through their Newsletter, which is sent to all the homes of the students, set down the code of ethics which would be expected at this Prom? Do these monthly meetings always have to generate colorless reports from uncontroversial mothers? 2. What about the City of Miami officials who grant permit for the usage of this building? Is there no rule against minors drinking there? Is drinking allowed at the other teen dances held in this building throughout the year? 3. What is the opinion of Gables Student Government on this type of behavior for students 15-18 years old? Would they label it "off-limits" or attempt to defend it? 4. From where was all the liquor secured? I doubt seriously it all came from homes of unconcerned parents. Could this have been bought illegally from an unknown source? What it all boils down to is not so much that a few rotten apples can spoil the whole barrel, but, rather, that those other students at the Prom must have lost a great deal of respect for their elders who didn't seem to make an effort to remove the rotten apples—or at least their bottles. I would like to take this opportunity to publicly commend the Coco Plum Women's Club which sponsors Co-Eds. These girls are not permitted to drink, and, if they are found to do so, they are expelled from the club. If more sponsoring groups had this type control over their members it would keep a lot of unfavorable criticism from being directed their way. We are fast becoming a people who not only do not have the courage of our convictions, but do not have any convictions. AN INDIGNANT PARENT (Editor's Note: For an answer to the questions raised here, see the news story on page 11.)

EVERYBODY'S Business By Rolfe Neill

That's a Record Talking to Mike Spector at Spec's on South Dixie Tuesday night I learned some interesting things about the ups & downs of the phonograph record trade. Said Mike, who lives at 6900 Barquera St.: "I'm convinced that anybody who can last in this business is smart enough to hold a seat on the New York Stock Exchange." Mike, incidentally, like his brother Barney, has a law degree. He was in show business, had his own band before coming here a decade and a half ago. He's opening a new store in the Farmer's Mart at West Palm Beach in a few days. Is This Right? One of our favorite dress gals in the Gables passes on a comment in a column in Women's Wear Daily, to wit: "Inelegance... Liz Taylor, Judy Garland, Marilyn Monroe... Most Hollywood stars are badly dressed because "they don't understand fashion." Most un-chic city: Miami Beach, the "fashion basement." Do you agree? Posted Overseas Gableite John Watters and his Suzanne, 3001 Suzanne St., are in their last 30 days of an extended trip abroad and John writes from Nieuil, France: "It's nice to awaken in a castle about 9 o'clock, press a button and have your breakfast brought into the room." The Watters' have been guests overnight in two different castles, an idea they got from our monthly supplement "Suburbia Today." John reports the last castle was 20 miles off the main road, magnificently furnished and cost no more than a hotel Thoughts Is there ever a time in a man's life when either someone's teeth in the family or the car don't need repairing? And is there any significance to the fact that University Federal President Fred Hartnett is helping to charter one bank while three of his directors at University Federal are principals in another beginning financial institution? Expose "What do your initials stand for," I asked W. L. Philbrick when we were talking this week. "There are few people in the world who know that," he replied. He pulled out his driver's license which said: "W. (only) L. (only) Philbrick." However, when I asked him again he readily told me. "The W's for Wyndham. And the L's for Llewellyn. Wyndham Llewellyn Philbrick." That's quite a name, I mused, sounds like royalty. "That's why I don't use it," he replied genially. Early Bird While I had his ear, I asked Mr. Philbrick about something I'd heard former Mayor Tom Mayes discussing the other day and that's whether people are buried with their shoes on. Tom said that to his surprise he'd recently discovered that most deceased people, though finely dressed in garments, are not fitted with shoes. He found out when he took a pair to a mortuary. Mr. Philbrick says there's no rule but generally the shoes are left off. Most often, he explained, they're difficult to fit. Mr. P. traces his business in the Gables to the first year of the City itself, 1925. His was the first funeral home here and has been at its present location all these 37 years.

The Heavens Declare The Glory ...

In simple scenes are the beauties of the heavens some-times found. Raymond Lang of our staff is an artist with an award - winning eye for such photographs. This Milky Way - like picture is from the rain - washed face of Andalusia Avenue next to St. Philip's Church. The McAdam surface gives an effect of being tril-lions of miles away. These bright blurs that appear to be constellations are but our single sun, reflected eight times in a rain puddle through multiple exposure. The time was 4 p.m. last Thursday.

Editor's Mailbox

MAILBOX EDITOR: Kindly put us on record as agreeing with your editorial on Liquor Laws. There does not seem to be a valid reason why a liquor license should be granted to a Holiday Inn and not to a lovely establishment such as the University Motel. MARY J. STOCK ROBERT STOCK 5710 Michelangelo EDITOR: I noted in a recent edition of the Coral Gables Times that Mr. Al Singer, owner of the University Court Motel, has applied for a liquor license. I have known Mr. Singer for two years and I feel he is the type of person that would reflect great credit within the community in his operation of an establishment licensed to sell liquor. He is a respected and well established businessman and I, for one, concur with you and heartily recommend that this license be granted to Mr. Singer. LUCIEN B. GREENE 940 Cotorro Ave. EDITOR: I wish to speak in behalf of the request of Albert Singer for a beverage license for his University Motel. For years, Al Singer has operated this motel as a valuable asset to Coral Gables. It has filled our need for a hotel, and has filled it very well. Both Al and Mrs. Singer have participated in civic affairs and are the kind of citizens the Gables can be justly proud of. After all these years of proven ability, I surely think he deserves every consideration that can be accorded him. It does not seem fair that such license should be withheld because of a technicality which can be overcome. Albert Singer's operation of the University Motel has been proven over the years. It is a high level operation, and I am sure it will continue to be the same in the future. LARRY LARIMORE 150 Andalusia Ave. EDITOR: I am writing to express my complete agreement with your editorial "Our Liquor Law Needs Amending," which appeared in the May 31 issue of your newspaper. To issue a liquor license to Holiday Inn and to refuse it to a similar structure — the University Inn, which is directly adjoining, seems obviously unfair and illogical. It constitutes highly preferential treatment to Holiday Inn, which I am sure the Commission does not intend, and seriously jeopardizes the ability of Mr. Singer to maintain a competitive status. It would take considerable hair-splitting to come up with a material difference between the University Inn and Holiday Inn. To penalize Mr. Singer and impair his ability to operate his business profitably and meet competition by such hair-splitting violates every aspect of justice and fair play. Certainly, as an established operator with a good record of operation, Mr. Singer is entitled to equal treatment by the Commission which he is not receiving. In the interest of common fairness and decency, I sincerely hope the Commission will reconsider its action and grant the license to University Inn. WALTER WAGNER 7501 SW 79th Ct. EDITOR: Note from your Times of May 31st that University Inn is trying to secure liquor license and is told to secure same by referendum. That is hardly fair as I am a guest at the University Inn and as such more interested than a local voter. By referendum a guest does not vote but can secure liquor by crossing the street to a new inn that the City Commission allows a license for liquor to secure new taxes. Believe that a poll of the guests would be more fair than a referendum as they are the people who spend the money to support an inn and not the local voters. Trust that you will use your best efforts to secure this license for University Inn. Thank you. TRACY BROWN 1390 S. Dixie Hwy. EDITOR: I am writing in regard to University Court Motel and Mr. Singer. I believe that Mr. Singer should be given a liquor permit. Mr. Singer's motel is owned by him, not a syndicate, and as a local resident, he has done many things for civic functions; has given to all our charities; and runs one of the finest motels in the country. He should not be put at an unfair advantage with a new incoming competitor. RENATA L. MAHAN 5375 Orduna Dr.

-Reprinted from The National Review ". . . but mainly I came to give my assurance that my father and I have nothing against you sons of bitches."