The Times

Now ... Color For Our Advertisers Coral Gables THE TIMES South Miami the local community newspaper for all South Dade

Vol. 35 No. 34 Second Class Postage Paid at Miami, Fla. Thursday, October 6, 1960 Published Weekly at 308 Aragon, Coral Gables, Fla. Price 10c

Is Doctors' Hospital Non-Profit?

Canal Killed By Metro, Coral Gables

Coral Gables Tuesday, in effect, gave Dade County Metro Commission a free hand in its handling of the salt water intrusion line problem. The Coral Gables city fathers passed a resolution rescinding a previously passed resolution accepting the route of a proposed canal to be dug by developer Sol Rovin through Matheson Hammock. Metro on the same day, also voted to rescind the canal digging permit issued to Rovin. In rescinding the previous resolution, Coral Gables is complying with the Metro salt water intrusion line which is farther east (nearer the bay) than the Coral Gables intrusion line. Meanwhile, at the courthouse, a seven-man committee, including Coral Gables Mayor John Montgomery and Commissioner Frank Kerdyk, made a list of recommendations to be presented to the Metro Commission that may spell the end of Rovin's canal. Included in the list are recommendations that a salt water intrusion line be established from the northern boundary of Broward County to southern end of Dade County. The committee said canals crossing the salt water intrus- (See CANAL, Page Two.)

COP GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE George Petersen looks over a copy of THE TIMES during his visit to the newspaper plant last week during a whirlwind tour of the area with a dozen other Republican hopefuls, News Editor Maurice Labelle, left, and Editor William von Maurer, right explain the TIMES operation to Petersen, who opposes Democrat Farris Bryant.

City Attorney, Assessor Split On Audit Report

By EDWIN KNIGHT Following a recent spot audit of Doctors' Hospital's books, Coral Gables Tax Assessor T. C. Blount is of the opinion that the hospital does not meet the requirements that exempt the medical institution from paying city ad valorem taxes. Doctors' Hospital has been exempted from paying real and personal property taxes for the years 1958, 1959 and 1960. Why? This was the subject of an informal inquiry conducted by the Coral Gables City Commission in the Red Room of Coral Gables Country Club Tuesday afternoon. 13-Page Report Attending the meeting were Blount, City Finance Director Kenneth Allyn and City Auditor Paul Gleman. It was Gleman who conducted the recent audit which covered 13 pages and takes in the financial standing of Doctors' Hospital. At the conclusion of the hour-long inquiry, the Commission decided to take no action until it meets again next July when it sits as a Board of Equalization. The meeting centered around questions fired at Blount by members of the Commission. Blount told of the background of the hospital's tax exemption, which put the exemption squarely upon the shoulders of the 1958 city commission. Previews Ruling Blount brought out that he, in 1958, brought to the Commission's attention the fact that he didn't believe the hospital met the qualifications exempting it from paying city taxes. Blount added that he was overridden by the commission at that time on advice of City Attorney Ted Semple, who ruled again at the Tuesday session that the city may be beaten if it took the case to court. Blount said precedent dictates that once an institution is exempt from paying taxes, the exemption usually carries over from year to year. Blount said he assumed the commission wanted the exemption carried over for the years 1959 and 1960. No Harsh Words There were no loud or harsh words at the meeting. There was no placing of the blame on anyone. But it was determined that between now and the time that the City Commission meets next July as a Board of Equalization, the "city tax assessor (Blount) will delve further into the audit to determine whether the city has a case against Doctors' Hospital. As it stands now, Blount is of the opinion that the hospital (See CITY ATTORNEY, Page Two.)

New Members Are Target For Chamber

The Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce launched its annual membership drive on Monday with a letter from President Bernie Blanck to more than 600 prospective new members. This will be followed by three additional mail reminders of the vital importance of a vigorous, growing Chamber of Commerce to the economic health and welfare of the city. Peak of this membership effort will be reached on Oct. 18 when some 100 volunteer Chamber members will unlimber their persuasive powers in a whirlwind one-day drive to sign new members on the dotted line. Directed by General Chairman Byron M. Nelson, the shock troops are divided into four divisions, each responsible for contacting specific groups in the business community. Ed Baumel, Chamber Manager, reports that enthusiasm among the volunteer workers runs very high. "It would not surprise me if we reach or exceed our goal of 200 additional members in the course of this campaign," Baumel said. Present Chamber membership is 450.

S. Miami Pushes Ahead On Water Rates Fight

City of South Miami, which two years ago fought Consumers Water Company in court over the price of water, is now arguing with a Metro Water Committee over the same water price. Former South Miami City Attorney Hughlan Long reported to South Miami Council Tuesday night that he had the freezing of Consumers Water Company rates deferred for two weeks so as to explain to the Metro Commission why South Miami's water company rates should be reduced rather than frozen. As of now, South Miami's water rates are $1.50 per cubic feet of water. If South Miami wins a suit pending in Circuit Court, the rates will be lowered to $1.40 per cubic feet of water. To Explain Long intends to explain to Metro's Water Committee and th Metro Commission that if the rates are frozen now, there will be no lowering of water rates for two years. Specifically, Long is asking that all of Consumers Water Company rates be lowered to $1.40 across the line. Coral Gables now pays $1.50 per cubic feet and the county area served by Consumers now pays $1.80 per cubic feet. Long explained that the profit made by Consumers would be offset by the lowering of rates to water users served by Consumers. Consumers is a subsidiary of General Water Works which is in the process of being purchased by Metro for more than $7 million. South Miami was taken to court in 1958 after the city set its own water rates. A spot audit made by the city showed that Consumers was making what the city termed more than a fair rate of return on its investment in the City.

Gables Police Find Burglar Under Bed

A Negro, an inmate at Raiford Prison twice, was nabbed while hiding under a bed after Coral Gables police crashed into the home he was burglarizing. Calvin Jones, Jr., 24, released from Raiford last February, was charged with breaking and entering two homes at 5135 and 5125 Orduna Dr. at 9:45 p.m. Oct. 2. Gables police sped to 5135 Orduna Dr. after a neighbor reported seeing a light flicker in a house, whose owner is in Europe. When officers arrived, Dr. David H. Gateman, just next door at 5125 Orduna Dr., reported that he had also seen a light flicker in his home as he drove up. The police charged into the house next to Dr. Gateman's and searched the premises with flashlights. Crouched under a bed was Jones, a six-foot, one inch, 160 pounder. Found in his possession was a pawn ticket.

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UM Liked Times Special

Editor, The Times: On behalf of the faculty, administration and students of the University of Miami, I would like to express hearty appreciation of your splendid section entitled "Support Your University." I feel certain this will do much to show our home folks and others how much has been accomplished by the University in its brief history and how we are progressing in our efforts to provide education of increasingly high quality to our growing national and international student body. I would like also to congratulate you on the excellent selection of photographs and the precision and clarity of the news stories. The lead article by Maurice Labelle is particularly well done. Jay F. W. Pearson President DR. PEARSON