The Coral Gables Times

THE Coral Gables TIMES

Vol. 37, No. 46 28 Pages Thursday, Dec. 20, 1962 Phone HI 3-1661 Price 10c

FEDERAL AID ONE REASON Library Cost Spirals

The cost of the proposed Coral Gables library ballooned from an estimated $450,000 to $600,000 this week with the decision by the City Commission to submit plans to the Federal Government for matching funds. Architect Ed Rempe cited the addition of a underground 37-car parking garage, fallout shelter and a "more substantial building" that had been planned earlier for the skyrocketing costs. He figured the tentative modern two-story design submitted at Monday's conference would cost $565,000 without fixtures or landscaping. These, plus the architects fee would bring the cost to $600,000, he estimated. While the Commission had some reservations about the proposed design, they decided to go ahead and submit the drawings with an eye to making changes later. The tentative driveway is on Hernando and the front entrance on Coral Way. The main entrance may be changed later to the corner. What if the City fails to get the requested $300,000 Federal grant? City Manager L. W. Robinson said Tuesday that the plans would have to be changed to eliminate finishing off the second floor and other niceties.

City Gives Insurance To Pair

Unable to pick between two local insurance agents, the City Commission Tuesday decided to let them both handle the city's public liability and workmen's compensation insurance — a $405,900 item for the next three years. The commission is $18,000. Workmen's compensation accounts for $213,000 of the total. Comprehensive general liability, $54,900 and comprehensive auto liability, $138,000. Actually, only one of the two, Baldwin Insurance and Hartnett Inc., will be named agent of record for the low bidder, Bituminous Casualty Co. This is something the Commission left up to the two to choose in giving up its responsibility. The pair will share equally on a 35%-35% basis the $18,000 commission pot. The balance will be shared among the eight bidders, although these will have no responsibility in handling the insurance. The decision to hand over the major share of the insurance plumb to Baldwin and Hartnett followed weeks of discussion by the Commission in which no majority for either company was established. Hartnett has had the job. One of the arguments against awarding it to Hartnett was that several years ago agents complained that Hartnett was not paying them promptly. Hartnett answered that since the total commission couldn't be known until the year's end, he'd pay then. The City Commission directed that an estimated commission be paid before the year's end, subject to year-end adjustment.

Bare Faced

A teenager charged with exposing his bare derriere out the window of a car was found not guilty in Municipal Court Tuesday when he explained it was an old Ivy League prank. William Frederick Bull, 18, 3655 Justison Rd., had been charged by John T. Graves, 5815 SW 112th Ct., with exposing his bare posterior twice while two vehicles were going along Bird Rd. early the morning of Nov. 24. Bull, who was accompanied by two juveniles, was found not guilty by Judge Charles Spooner.

First Time: Golf Cart Bids Asked

The City Commission Tuesday called for bids for 40 to 50 electric golf carts for Granada and Biltmore Golf courses and tightened up on the use of private carts. Eight of the carts are scheduled to be placed at the new and soon to be completed Granada Pro Shop and the remainder at Biltmore. Meanwhile private cart owners who have been slipping by without paying the former $1 fee will now be charged $1.50 for nine holes and $2 for 18 holes from Dec. 1 through April 30. The fee from May 1 through Nov. 30 will be $1 for nine holes and $1.50 for 18 holes. The carts at Biltmore are now owned by Pargo Inc., which receives $20,000 gross annually. Biltmore Pro Bill Tinder has been receiving another $20,000 gross from the $40,000 gross revenue. This is the first time the city has put the carts out for bids.

Gas Vote Is Feb. 12

Feb. 12 will be the date of the special election on granting City Gas Company a franchise to furnish natural gas in Coral Gables. The Commission set the election Tuesday by a 4-1 vote with Commissioner C. L. Dressel Jr. continuing his opposition. Registration books on the special election wil close on Jan. 26. Registration will be taken any time during normal working hours, but until 9 p.m. on Jan. 25 and 26. City Gas is paying for the costs of the election.

City Hall Scene of Yule Concerts; Seats Available

Concerts featuring Christmas music are being presented nightly this week at City Hall as a part of the Holiday program planned by the Chamber of Commerce Christmas Decoration Committee. Organ music begins at 7:30 and a choir sings at 8 o'clock. Bleachers are available for those who do not wish to stand. Tonight's (Thursday) program will be given by the Wesley Methodist Choir. University Baptist Choir will perform tomorrow night and St. Theresa Choir Saturday night. Those that have already given concerts are Coral Gables High School Chorus, St. James Lutheran Choir, Granada Presbyterian Choir, Coral Gables Baptist Choir and St. Mark's Lutheran Choir.

Jacobs Plumbing Repairs & 30 Gal. Water Heaters $42.95. CA 1-3740 —Adv.

Atta Boy, Ed; It Is Hot In Florida!

TV STAR Ed Sullivan was at Ben Gaines' new Holiday Inn Tuesday noon for the ribbon cutting but before doing the honors he had to shuck his cardigan —it was that warm! Obscured by his shoulder is Gaines. Photo by RAYMOND LANG

1st Gables Hotel in 36 Years

By MAURICE LABELLE Times Reporter The natives were impressed by what they saw Tuesday when Ben Gaines opened his fabulous $2 million Holiday Inn Hotel on South Dixie Highway. It was a historic occasion for the Gables — the first hotel worthy of the name to be built here since the Miami Biltmore opened its doors 36 years ago in January, 1926. The list of notables, though not as impressive as at that grand opening, was led by TV personality Ed Sullivan. A delegation of 175 area leaders, and news media representatives, usually found at such momentous occasions, gathered for the inevitable ribbon cutting. The event was history making for another reason—for the first time since the Biltmore closed its doors to become World War II hospital, the aroma of alcohol permeated the chic cocktail lounge. Pretty hostesses conducted the visitors on tours of facilities while workmen con- (See $2 MILLION, Page 2)

From a Roman Feast, A Spartan Selection

Ed Sullivan could have eaten: Baked ham, shrimp, chicken liver spread, spare ribs, spiced ham, chicken salad, stone crabs, shrimp Newburg, cold roast beef, hot roast beef, a dozen salads or 13 desserts; Instead, Ed Sullivan ate a roll and a small slice (medium) of steak. That was his choice out of the Roman feast spread Tuesday noon for the invited guests at the Holiday Inn opening. Ben Gaines, owner, knows Sullivan through Mrs. Gaines. Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan have known Mrs. Gaines since she was a teenager and the Gaines' and Sullivans usually take a European trip together once a year. Sullivan, though not recovered from a serious cold, was affable to all, interrupting his lone slice of steak at least three times to sign autographs for admiring waitresses. As Sulivan likes to say: "It was a really big shoo."

Coral Gables Plumbing & Supplies now at 4102 Laguna. HI 4-6743. —Adv.