Coral Gables Historical Archive
The Times
Thursday, January 19, 1961, page 4 (of 23)
The page
The text of this pageRead by computer from the scan, so some words may be wrong. The page picture is the original.
UM Professor's Book Answers Who, What And Why Of Metro
By MAURICE LABELLE If you think in terms of symbols, if you like your facts black and white, if details bore you, if you like your villains clearly identified-then, "Miami Metro The Road to Urban Unity" by Dr. Reinhold P. Wolff is not for you. But if you have an analytical mind and don't mind wading through mountains of statistics and theories to reach conclusions-Wolff's recently published book should be your meat. Two-Years' Work The book is the result of nearly two-years' work by Wolff, his staff at the University of Miami Bureau of Business and Economic Research, the Interdisciplinary Study Committee formed in 1958 after receipt of a Ford Foundation grant, and UM government professors Ross C. Beiler, Edward Sofen, Gustave Serino and Thomas Wood. Metro has been both blessed and damned-sometimes by the same people, often in the same breath. Its enemies have labelled it totalitarian, "Fascist," "Communist." But few of us really know how it came about, what it is, or what may become of it. Tracing the history of early consolidation moves, Miami Metro emphasizes the compromise nature of the governmental system which was finally approved by a small majority of voters on May 21, 1957, and which has withstood every assault at the polls and in the courts. Not Textbook Solution "Metro government as it has been introduced in Miami is not the textbook solution tailored to the needs of the average multi-city area," Wolff points out. "It was born of historic coincidence rather than of the social logic that demands metropolitan government for the metropolitan city. In fact, it is a formula untested yet; it is not even sure of revival (sic) in Miami, for the struggle between political forces here continues and has become more intense since Metro's inception." Wolff aligns early supporters of Metro, as the hard core of businessmen who believe that the area's economic and political welfare lies in communal reform, while office holders concerned primarily with preserving their jobs were on the other end of the balance. Attracted by the enticement of home rule, the forces inbetween lined up and metropolitan government, or a semblance thereof, was born. It has been fighting for its life ever since, has been forced to compromise much of the time and its status is still in doubt, Wolff points out. Mutual Problems Many of the problems confronting Metro, he also points out, would confront any form of county government. For instance: How to get the state to return a greater portion of the hundreds of millions siphoned off every year. Some relief in this direction would go a long way toward solving Dade's back breaking tax problem, Wolff indicates. But money alone is not involved. The power struggle between municipal and metro officials continues unabated. Where is all this going to lead us? Wolff indicates that even greater problems await us as we attempt to get cut from under the morass created by instant people. Already, Dade's near million population is pressing rapidly growing Broward County and it is becoming more difficult to differentiate between the two despite the cry from the Fort Lauderdale-orientated group that they are a metropolitan area onto themselves. Soon mounting populations will create a solid regional problem stretching to West Palm Beach, Wolff predicts. Perhaps by that time we will have solved the mystery of the relationship between municipal and county government in Dade County. Meanwhile, if you want to learn something authoritative about metropolitan government which will enable you to discuss it intelligently without reference to slogans, epithets and generalities - read Miami Metro.
an advertiser writes... we say, "Thank You, Mr. Nelson."
an advertiser writes... BYRON NELSON University Federal SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION OF CORAL GABLES MIRACLE MILE AT PONCE DE LEON BOULEVARD • CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA Telephone HIghland 4-9811 January 13, 1960 Mr. William von Maurer, Editor 308 Aragon Coral Gables, Florida Dear Mr. von Maurer: Our newest advertising copy indicates that we show a 48% increase for the year 1960. We are convinced that this growth in no small measure is due to the help that your excellent publication has given us. This we believe, is due to the quality and type of circulation you enjoy complemented by your general editorial policy plus granting to the advertiser a local leadership. Of course our current advertising and public relations program has contributed substantially to this increase but we are convinced that without the Times our program would not be nearly as successful as it was. The first ten days of the new year, University Federal Savings and Loan Association was a veritable bee-hive of activity. Our personnel was so busy taking care of new accounts in addition to their regular flow of business that our Directors had to pinch-hit on clerical work in order to keep up with the tremendous activity. Thanks again for your help in this growth picture. We are looking forward to 1961 being equally as good through continued long and happy relations with your publication. Very truly yours, B. M. Nelson Exec. Vice President P.S. You have our full permission to use this in any way you see fit. We trust your good judgement and taste. we say, "Thank You, Mr. Nelson."