The Coral Gables Times

Coral Gables THE TIMES

Published at 364 Sevilla Ave., Coral Gables 34, Fla. JOHN T. WATTERS | President ROLFE NEILL | Editor & Publisher Second Class Postage Paid at Miami, Fla.

How to Keep $1 Million

Today is the time to begin trying to save the FHA office of 148 employes and their $1 million payroll from being moved from the Gables to Miami. Here is a suggested format: 1. Contact the Government Services Administration (GSA) to find out about the space allocations in the new Federal building being built downtown. How much will be left over and how soon could the FHA and other government agencies therein expect to become crowded? 2. Write to our officials — Congressman Fascell and Senators Holland and Smathers — to ask for the background of moving this office. Is it necessary that it be moved? Why? Who says so? 3. Appoint a leading citizen here to marshal the community's efforts. The appointment could come either from the City Commission or the Chamber of Commerce. One needs to act immediately, however. 4. After we have assembled the facts, it can be determined if the FHA should be moved to Miami. This newspaper would never support retention of a government industry here, even as large and important as this one, if it's economically unwise. However, what with all the servicing agencies of insurance and title abstracters which have grown up around the building on Ponce, and with the promise of a South Dade building boom, much good sense can be made for leaving the FHA right where it is. The time to act, as we said, is today.

Our Cup Runneth Over

In the spirit of Christmas: —Hosannas to our City Commission which, despite the angry roar from local residents, went forward with needed paving on Riviera Drive and Granada Boulevard, among others. Donner & Bliztern won't know the place. —A curtesy to the unknow but sensible Emergency Squad drive the other Saturday noon who although in a hurry, with siren on and light blinking, drove safely down busy Le Jeune and through the Bird Road and U.S. 1 intersections. Obviously a man who considers his badge a responsibility and not a license. —Huzzas to Ben Gaines for that handsome new hostelry he has opened in our midst. It is magnificent and thoroughly consistent with our town's tradition of having the best. Thank you's to the Christmas Decorations Committee and its unsung heroes, both working and those who merely make checks payable to, for the beautiful lights, the toy wonderland and the grace of carols on the streets. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

The Danger of Idiocy

A government has the right to lie to save itself, says New Frontiersman Arthur Sylvester. News is a weapon and we'll manipulate it as we do all weapons, he opines. Has it occurred to the gentleman that when a citizen can no longer trust his government, when the words from its leaders must be read with wariness, and when honest men do not know what to believe — has it occurred to Mr. Sylvester that these are the conditions that lead not to the support of a government but to its overthrow?

About Coconut Drive

As far as we can see, and we have made an on-site inspection, our sympathies are with those homeowners on Coconut Drive who wish to preserve the residential nature of their neighborhood. Their wish is against those, as represented on these pages today through Mr. Packman's letter who would erode the single-family aspects on Coconut Drive in order to benefit land speculators who want to build apartments and other more leniently-zoned structures. We hope that the City Commission will stand against the encroachment sought by Mr. Packman and his adherents. Let those who wish to profiteer at the expense of spot zoning find their profits outside of our town.

EVERYBODY'S BUSINESS by Rolfe Neill

Will He? People around town are talking and wondering if Dr. Richard Strain will file a libel suit against The Miami News for a big front page article it published on a recent Sunday about him under the headline, "Doctors Probe 'Whiplash' Operations." The article, with extensive comment from the president of the Dade County Medical Association about the investigation, said that the Association is looking into several charges against Dr. Strain. It went on to discuss other material pertaining to the well-known Gables neurosurgeon. The tone of the material was definitely prejudicial to his professional standing. Tough Talk As one who believes that the only valuable religion is a social gospel, I applaud the forthrightness of the Granada Presbyterian Church through its bulletin about Sunday closing. No pussyfooting in this announcement, several Sundays repeated: "Many of the Christians in Miami are responding to the urgent request to stop shopping on Sunday and to boycott those stores which are open on Sunday. "All of the Publix Markets are closed throughout the city. Check the others in your area and patronize those who are observing Sunday closing. "It is suggested that individuals send back charge plates with a little note saying they will have no further need of them until that store closes on Sunday. This gesture could have a tremendous effect." You're right, Dr. Mathes, it could. The merchant understands the cash register bell better than anything. That's why the Negro, with his sit-in, has achieved in astonishingly short time what most said couldn't be done. The power of the dollar rivals, and often exceeds, the Almighty's. How To What is the logical answer to a six-year-old's question of: "Why do they put 120 miles an hour on the speedometer if the speed limit is 65?" Wrong Choice I believe Dr. Fred Evans showed poor judgment when he accepted the appointment as house physician for Ben Gaines' new Holiday Inn. It hasn't been many weeks since Dr. Evans, sitting as City Commissioner Evans, had to pass on a controversial liquor license for the Inn. Caesar's wife etc. Speaking of liquor . . . the absence of a single outcry over our first public bar (in the Inn) should make many stop to reconsider the question of just how anti-liquor the Gables is. I think we're ready for a liberlization. Fine Lady For a fresh conversation, hunt up Mrs. David Ball at 940 Sevilla Ave. She's a delight. On her birthday New Year's Day — "I couldn't forget it if I wanted to!" — she'll be 81. She's had an interesting life. Her first husband was a surgeon and they have two sons, Capt. N. W. Sharpe, retired from the U.S. Navy and living in North Miami, and Donald Scott Sharpe, living at Boca Raton. Her second husband, also deceased, was the president of the company that makes Old Golds, P. Lorillard & Co. Mrs. Ball quotes him frequently, such as when asked how long she'd spend at Christmas visiting in her children's homes: "As Mr. Ball used to say: 'Short visits make long friends.'" Of all the subjects Mrs. B enjoys talking about, none delights her more than dancing, a leisure activity she took up not too many years ago at the suggestion of son Donald as a help for her arthritic joints. Still dancing? I should say. The tango she considers "the aristrocrat of all dances" and she'll do it and several others next month at a woman's club function. "Oh, I'm talking too much," she reproved herself. "As Mr. Ball used to say: 'You'd talk a dog away from the bone.'" Mrs. Ball was born at Arkadelphia, Arkansas. For many years she lived in New York and sold her apartment there to the Marble Collegiate Church for a home for its well known pastor, Norman Vincent Peale. As for dancing at her age: "I hope I can convince some other people at mid-life that if they'll have courage they aren't as old as they may think. And besides, being a Southerner, I just love to dance!" She got into her 22-year-old Cadillac Town Car (recently refurbished) and her faithful maid drove Mrs. Ball off to the studio. Quite a gal. Holiday Note We at The Times hope you have a merry holiday. 'Tis a good season in which to be alive.

THIS FULL-OF-SYMBOLS picture was taken by staff photographer Raymond Lang at the Gables First Methodist Church. The theological questions inherent in the imagery we'll leave to the pastor of that flock, Dr. John Hanger, but we think you'll agree the photo's an eye stopper. The board is at the corner of Segovia and Coral Way.

'Life at Top' Hits Bottom For Reader

LIFE AT THE TOP, by John Braine, Houghton Mifflin $4.50, 308 pp. By JOAN CARMICHAEL The jacket of "Life at the Top" heralds John Braine as an author who "has moved beyond the category of an angry young man; a mature author who has sought and found the positive values in the affairs of men and women." This may be true; however, the book scarcely proves the advertisement. The life of Joe Lampton, to most observers, would appear to be pleasant and purposeful. He has an important position, a pretty and loving wife, two fine children, a new country home, prestige and serves as councilman. Happiness, however, eludes Joe and his life appears to be composed of frustration, conflict, turmoil and crisis. "Life at the Top" enters that large group of books, whose interest lies not in their own qualities but in the reception given to them in their own time. It may well become a best seller and a successful movie as did Mr. Braine's first book, "Room at the Top." If "Life at the Top" is a smash success, Mr. Braine can begin immediately on a sequel — "Life on the Couch." He couldn't lose; his characters are all ready and waiting. (The reviewer of this book, a mother of three, is the wife of a local physician.)

MAILBOX

EDITOR: I have sent the following letter to the Metro Traffic Engineers: May I call your attention to what I feel is a very dangerous traffic condition existing at the intersection of Valencia Avenue and Le Jeune Road in Coral Gables. The tie up of cars trying to cross LeJeune or even trying to turn right or left has been so bad for such a long time that one cannot help but wonder just what is required to have a deplorable condition like this corrected. Sooner or later a few people will be killed there adding to our already too high a number and the motorists will be at fault. In all probabilities no thought will be given of placing the blame where it really belongs. A light placed there now might save those lives. At the present time it is necessary, if you want to cross at Valencia, to force your way into the constant flow of traffic on LeJeune Road. This we know is a violation but try to get across some other way. Why make law breakers of everyone? Better to put up a barricade and stop traffic altogether if you cannot make it safe for people to drive. Another spot that needs attention is the crossing of Zamora Avenue and SW 16th Street at Douglas Road. This is fast becoming a very dangerous crossing. RICHARD W. STENGEL 650 Coral Way