The Times

Gables Building Totals Climb

Despite building standstills in other parts of South Florida, Coral Gables is building more this year than it did in 1959. For the first eight months of 1960 city building valuations were far below similiar 1959 figures for corresponding periods. Ranging anywhere from $763,-000 in January to $2 million in February below last year's building, the gap closed slowly during the first eight months of 1960 to September when the total stood above the 1959 total figure. UM Building Helped But it took an expensive University of Miami building and apartment houses to do it. Last month permits were taken out for three apartment buildings with a total of 43 units valued at $446,190. A permit also was issued last month for a $134,000 University of Miami School of Music building to be constructed at 5501 San Amaro Dr. One apartment building, a 33-unit, five-story structure is being built by Robet Othling at 650 Coral Way. It is valued at $390,000. Contractor is P. J. Goodwin. Two Apartments The other two apartments, both two stories, are being constructed at 700 South Dixie Hwy. and 43 Alhambra Cir. The South Dixie Hwy. apartment has four units and is valued at $25,690. The other apartment is six units and valued at $30,500. Other building permits were issued duing September for 11 additions, 10 residences, three alterations, and two pools. Going into September, the 1960 figures totaled $9,508,840, compared to the $9,593,303 in 1959. Jumped Ahead However, with the addition of the September figures to those of the previous eight months, the 1960 figures jumped ahead by $125,816. The September 1960 permit figure was $1,128,122, which ran the yearly total to $10,636,962. The 1959 total though September is $10,511,146. Included in 1960 building permit figures were permits issued for 117 residences, 15 apartments with 227 units, 17 offices, seven duplexes, 44 pools, 28 alterations, 187 additions, three service stations and three stores with 12 units.

Coral Gables THE TIMES South Miami the local community newspaper for all South Dade

Vol. 35 No. 35 | Second Class Postage Paid at Miami, Fla. | Thursday, October 13, 1960 | Published Weekly at 308 Aragon, Coral Gables, Fla. | Price 10c

Hospital Denies 'Freeloading' | Audit Report Challenged By Doctors' Director

By EDWIN KNIGHT The yes-no question of whether Doctors' Hospital meets the requirements of a tax exempt medical institution continued this week. The hospital, the top subject of discussion here last week because of a spot audit showing the medical institution allegedly does not meet the requirements exempting it from paying city ad valorem taxes, took issue with the audit and emphatically replied that it does meet the requirements. Hospital Director Mary Reeder told The Times this week that figures used in the report were deceiving. She said that at least one-third of the hospital's net operating profit goes for charity, research and community welfare. Outlines Expenditures "Of the hospital's net operating profit of $373,417 since the last of 1957," Mrs. Reeder said, "at least $122,923 went for charity and research and the remaining $250,000 went to the hospital's betterment." The medical institution had a total of $5,519,556 in income during the three-year period. But $4,951,118 of that amount went for direct charges and expenses, she said. There were other charges which brought the hospital's net operating profit to $373,417, Mrs. Reeder said. A founder of the hospital, Mrs. Reeder said, "actually, everything above hospital expenses goes toward educational, scientific and charitable work. "If the city wants to sacrifice this charity and research for the tax dollar, then it is turning away a fine medical institution." Plan To Prove Case "We have a case and we plan to prove to the city next July that we are operating as a tax exempt institution." Next July, when the city commission sits as a Board of Equalization, the whole matter will be taken up, the commission decided last week at an inquiry. The tax roll, as submitted by the city tax assessor, is approved (Continued on Page 2)

Motel Suit Holds Back Pool Permit

There will be no swimming pool for the Atlantic Court Apartments, 750 South Dixie Hwy. -- at least until after a suit pending against the apartment by City of Coral Gables is settled. This was made plain to owners of the apartment who appealed to the Commission for a swimming pool between the apartments and the highway right of way. Approximately 10 property owners surrounding the apartment voiced objections to the pool which they said would entice the apartment to operate even more as a motel. Code Prohibits Coral Gables zoning codes prohibit the erection of a pool on the street side of a building. Atlantic Court owner C. F. Otto said as far as he knows his apartment is operating as an apartment. He added he doesn't know what he must do to keep residents from moving out in a night or two except build a pool. He said renters of his rooms do not want to stay more than a fortnight because of the highway traffic noise and the transient element on the highway. The commission offered to review the pool petition following settlement of the suit. Suit Filed A suit has been filed against Atlantic Court, Dixie Court and Riviera Court apartments by City of Coral Gables for operating and advertising as motels. The city's action followed notice by South Dixie Hwy. residents to the city that the apartments are operating as motels. In other action, the Commission: AUTHORIZED the issuance of a retail beverage store license to Louis F. and Arthur J. Pao- (Continued on Page 2)

FIRE PREVENTION WEEK was highlighted in Coral Gables Monday afternoon by a parade of eight fire trucks, including this vintage 1927 La France pumper. Aboard the truck were five firemen, dressed as clowns, who hatched a barrel full of antics as they rode down Gables' streets. The caravan of trucks, their sirens howling, rolled down Biltmore Way, on to Miracle Mile and then up Ponce de Leon Blvd. Though the parade might have seemed funny to some, it was serious business to the Gables' fire crew.

600 Members Is Target Of Chamber

Six hundred Coral Gables business and professional men will be the target of a gigantic stock-selling scheme next Tuesday, Oct. 18. The stock, called Coral Gables Preferred, will be offered as a gilt edged investment which pays dividends every day of the year. A hundred of the city's most respected business men will act as salesmen. The blue-chip opportunity they offer is membership in the Chamber of Commerce. After a withering barrage of mailing pieces pointing out the reasons why this important civic organization deserves full support, a one-day whirlwind campaign of personal calls will wind up the Chamber's membership drive. Byron M. Nelson, chairman of the Membership Committee, has organized his shock troops into four divisions. The goal is 200 additional members for the Chamber. Bernie Blanck, President of the Chamber, points out that the period of economic hesitation in which we now find ourselves calls for aggressive support of the Chamber's program. "Don't let the Chamber members continue to pay your community rent", is his plea to non-members.

Home Is A Good Place To Practice Fire Safety

By RAYMOND LANG What causes a fire? What is the one main factor that snuffed out the lives of five Gableites last year... hopelessly caught in a fire? And what really ignited 910 fires in the past three years in Coral Gables? These are questions to reflect on during Fire Prevention Week. It's more than just the violent combination of fuel, heat and oxygen. It's the "human element" and "plain, old carelessness." Human Element Blamed "If we could eliminate the human element," pointed out Fire Chief Paul Matheson, "we'd have a lot less fires and a lot less suffering. "It all boils down to this... it's an individual responsibility. "And if the homeowner does not accept the responsibility, then he's not doing his part as a good citizen." As Chief Matheson spoke, it was perhaps the approaching winter season with the specter of fire greater than ever that made him stress the individual's responsibility. Hazards Increased During winter, cold snaps compel homeowners to dust off (Continued on Page 2)

Columbus Kin Gables Bound

The University of Miami Friday, Oct. 14, will entertain the Duke and Duchess of Veragua at a luncheon at the Riviera Country Club, after which they will visit the campus and meet with Latin students and faculty at the Faculty Club. In the evening they will witness the Miami-University of South Carolina football game. Dr. C. Doren Tharp, vice president and dean of faculties, will preside at the luncheon and will present the university's Cross of the Order of Merit to the Duke. Luncheon guests will include senior officials and faculty members of the university and their wives. Cristobal Colon, a direct descendant of Christopher Columbus, is the 17th duke of Veragua. He also holds the title of Grand Admiral of Castile.

Coral Gables Tax Bills Out Friday

A total of 35,000 1960 real and personal property tax bills will be mailed this Friday, Oct. 14, representing $1,755,243 in real property and $313,483 in personal property taxes to Coral Gables property owners. According to Coral Gables Finance Director Kenneth Allyn, the 1960 figures compare with 1959 real taxes of $1,725,220 and personal property taxes of $297,985. Discounts allowed are 4 per cent if paid in November, 3 percent if paid in December, 2 percent if paid in January and 1 percent if paid in February. Both taxes become delinquent April 1, with a 3 percent penalty levied until the lien is sold for non-payment. Allyn added that all commercial and residential waste collection fees are now considered a special assessment. They will be treated as any local improvement lien. This procedure became effective March 17, 1960, thereby making waste collection fees a lien against the property instead of as formerly against the property owner who was held liable for payment

Donna's Cost To Gables Is $65,596

Hurricane Donna, which tore through South Florida the night of Sept. 9, cost Coral Gables an estimated $65,596.88, City Manager L. W. (Jimmy) Robinson Jr. determined this week. Robinson had estimated removal costs at $65,000 immediately after the storm. The loss represents the amount of money it took Coral Gables in man hours and trucks to clean up after the worst hurricane, damagewise, in Florida's history. Robinson said it took 2383 hired trucks loads and 2253 loads by City of Coral Gables vehicles to haul away the debris caused by the hurricane. A total of 4636 loads of trash, weighing a total of 11,422,290 pounds were needed to clean up the city.

Congregational Church Looted Of $200 In Cash

Coral Gables Congregational Church, 3010 DeSoto Ave., was broken into Sunday night, Oct. 9, with $200 in cash taken. According to the Reverend Howard Huntyicker, entry into the church was gained through an office window in the east side of the building.

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