The Times

Services In Historic Home Miss Ethel Merrick Will Be Buried Today

Services for Miss Ethel Merrick, sister of the late George E. Merrick, the founder of Coral Gables, will be held at her home, 907 Coral Way, Thursday, at 11 a.m. She will be buried at Woodlawn Cemetery. Miss Merrick died in her home Monday at the age of 72 after a long illness. The large, rambling plantation-style home was built by her father, Solomon Merrick, 55 years ago and was the showplace of the city. It was her brother, George Merrick, who transformed the original 160-acre plantation into the city we know as Coral Gables, and also helped to create the University of Miami. Wanted To Sell For the past seven years Miss Merrick had carried on a long battle with neighboring property owners who objected to her plans to sell the house to the city as a shrine to her brother. Merrick Manor, as the home is known, is one of the few remaining landmarks in South Florida, and it was Miss Merrick's contention that the City of Coral Gables buy the home and maintain it as both a shrine to her brother and also as a historic point o finterest for the tourists. Never Purchased Due to pressure from some of the local citizens and opposition from a City Commission majority the city never purchased the estate. Miss Merrick is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Helen Bond of Miami, and Mrs. Quintus Lobeck, of Greenwich, N. Y.; and two brothers, Richard Merrick, a University of Miami Associate professor of art, and Charles Merrick of Perrine. Combs Northeast Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Rites Are Held In Maryland For Gableite

Last rites and burial for Roderick McCullough Thomas, 1306 Obispo Ave., who died in his sleep Tuesday, March 14, were held at All Faith's Church, Charlotte Hall, Md. Mr. Thomas was 83 and one of the early associates of George E. Merrick, together with his brother, Douglas, a banker of Maryland who helped finance building in Coral Gables in 1925. They also helped financially in re-building after the 1926 hurricane. He was a member of St. Philip's Church and of the Rotary Club of Syracuse, N. Y.; the Southern Maryland Yacht Club and the Maryland Club. He was born in the family's ancestral home, "De la Brooke," St. Mary's County, Md., which was the home of his forebear, Sir Thomas Brooke in 1632. He is survived by his wife, Hattie, and a sister, Miss Anita Thomas of Baltimore.

Postcard Poll Shows Gableites OK Cruises

A postcard poll to determine the feelings of Coral Gables waterway property owners revealed that approximately twice as many persons had no objection to establishment of cruise boat trips as those who objected. But the City Commission without taking a vote, indicated a denial of the request by Gray Sightseeing Lines. City Manager L. W. Robinson Jr. reported that of 150 cards sent out, 56 were returned. Of those, 17 objected and 39 stipulated no objections. The objectors, who included some prominent names, however, sent in a petition in addition. They cited snooping, increased canal traffic, the nuisance and possible casing for a future burglary for their opposition.

Commissioner Hess Returns To City Duties

Commissioner James Hess, missing from last week's City Commission meeting when he became ill and had to be treated at Doctors' Hospital, returned Tuesday. Hess turned up with an old ulcer, after a careful examination at the hospital.

3-Man Panel Will Question The Candidates

A three-man panel will question the candidates in the April 11 Coral Gables City Commission election at a public meeting to be held Tuesday, March 21, at the War Memorial Youth Center. The panel will be made up of former mayor W. Keith Phillips, Dr. Ross C. Beiler, professor of government at the University of Miami, and Maurice Labelle, news editor of THE TIMES. Carl Turkington, president of the Coral Gables Citizens Association, which is sponsoring the event, said Tuesday that the program will be devoted entirely to questioning the candidates. Scheduled to begin at 7:45 p.m., the meeting will be held in the Youth Center auditorium. The Citizens Association conducted a campaign in recent weeks to get all eligible residents to register.

Truck Smashes Into Grove House

A man who almost fell out of his truck while making a turn struck and damaged a house at 216 Grand Ave., early Saturday afternoon. Herbert Bernstein, driving a pickup truck northeast on South Dixie Hwy., made a right turn at Grand. As he did, the cab door opened and he was almost thrown out. Bernstein said that he lost control of the truck and struck the porch of the home, owned by Bonded Collection Agency.

Candidate Has Varied Talents For Politics

DR. EVANS If one candidate for the Coral Gables City Commission could get the Seminoles to make him a chief, he would have run the gamut of "doctor, lawyer, Indian chief." He is Dr. Franklin J. Evans, MD and LLB, well known local physician professor and lawyer. Dr. Evans filed just 15 minutes before the Tuesday deadline to become the 12th and last candidate for a seat on the Commission. The 51-year-old New York City native came to Dade County in 1945, has practiced medicine in Coral Gables since 1948 and has resided here since 1951. He is a graduate of City College of New York, New York University School of Law and College of Medicine. Between 1942-45, he served in the U. S. Army Medical Corps, two of those years overseas. He won three battle stars and was discharged a captain. Dr. Evans has served as a clinical assistant professor in legal medicine at the University of Miami School of Medicine and is a former instructor in medical jurisprudence in the UM Law School, a course he originated. He is a member of State Attorney Richard E. Gerstein's staff, having participated in the trials of eight persons on capital crimes. The doctor-lawyer belongs to virtually every legal and medical organization and has written several articles in medical and legal journals and is a well known public speaker. Dr. Evans married M. Dorothea Collins, RN in 1941. They have three daughters, Bonita Ann, 18, Barbara Elizabeth, 17, and Margaret Jane 15, and live at 4305 Toledo.

Elderly Man Injured By Car

A 72-year-old Gableite was either struck or ran into the side of a car at the intersection of Segovia and Almeria the night of March 9. He is Kaiser R. Razook, of 515 Almeria, brother of Miracle Mile shopkeeper, Victor Razook. The elderly man was held overnight at Doctors' Hospital and released. According to Officer Glenn D. Arp, Razook said he was struck as he attempted to cross the intersection at 8 p.m. Driver of the car, Irving Martin Forman, 16, of 642 Sevilla, told Arp that Razook walked into the side of his southbound car. Forman said he did not see the elderly man until he was right near him. No charges were filed in the accident.

Joe Murphy Files For Re-Election

Commissioner Joe Murphy filed Tuesday for re-election to the seat he has held for the past two years on the Coral Gables City Commission. "At the request of many supporters and friends, I am seeking re-election to the City Commission. They feel, as I do, that the search and struggle for good government never really ends, and they believe that I can and will provide leadership in this direction to the new Commission, which will consist of at least three new members," Murphy said Wednesday. Tied Wynne Murphy tied former commissioner Winston W. Wynne in the 1959 election and gave up the four-year term to the incumbent. Wynne later ran for and won a seat on the Metro Commission and resigned after serving less than two years. "I will continue to represent all the people of our city on a day to day basis, and neither fear nor favor will ever influence my vote," Murphy said. "When a public official seeks re-election, he must stand on his record," said the attorney and resident of Coral Gables since 1929. "If his record is meritorious, he is entitled to the further support and confidence of the people he represents." The 36-year-old past president and director of the Coral Gables Bar Association listed some of the accomplishments in which he had a direct part. His Activities These included a tighter conflict of interest and high rise building law; re-instatement of Tax Assessor Thomas C. Blount; slum clearance; halting an increase in water rates; acquisition of new off-street parking facilities; preservation of coming on LeJeune Rd. and South Dixie Hwy.; new fire station constructed; a search for a new library begun. If elected, Murphy said he will push for a showdown with Metro on the question of traffic law enforcement. "I intend to keep a big eye on land developers and speculators who would abuse our zoning integrity for their own financial gains," he said. Boot Strap Operation Murphy said also that he favors a boot-strap type operation to create a funding arrangement for capital improvements such as restoration of streets, installation of adequate street lighting, acquisition of addition recreational facilities which will avoid future bonded indebtedness. The University of Miami and University of Florida law graduate lives at 701 Alcazar with his wife and eight children.

Bankruptcy Causes Stir On The Mile

The controversy over sale of goods from a bankrupt Coral Gables jewelry firm continues and has spread to the Federal courts. City Attorney Ted Semple informed the City Commission Tuesday about the mixup that has resulted since the firm, London Silversmiths, 259 Miracle Mile, went out of business early in February. First Controversy The first controversy resulted from holding of a Sunday auction by federal authorities and the posting of large signs in windows contrary to city ordinances. Competitors now allege that goods, other than the original goods to be sold at auction, have been brought in by persons conducting the sale for the federal authorities and that some of the merchandise has been misrepresented. Police Investigation Semple said that a Coral Gables police investigation indicated that articles represented as solid silver really were hollow and that there had been other misrepresentations. Semple said he checked out the complaints with Federal Referee J. B. Booher and the federal court and that inexperience in handling the sale was probably responsible for the foulup with the feds. The city attorney is to work out the complicated situation to the satisfaction of the city and complaining merchants.

Jack Plunkett Files For Gables Commission

Jack Plunkett, a member of the Coral Gables Zoning Board and former chairman of the Coral Gables Planning Advisory Board, filed Tuesday as an independent candidate for the Coral Gables City Commission in the municipal election April 11. The 45-year-old business executive has been active in Coral Gables civic affairs for many years. Prior to becoming a member of the Zoning Board, he was a member of the Planning Advisory Board for three years, serving as chairman from July 1958 to July 1959, and was active in formulating the City's Capital Improvement program. His Platform "My platform," said Plunkett, "is continued good government and progress for Coral Gables. I believe strongly ir. the preservation of our high zoning code and feel this is substantiated by my record as a member of the Zoning Board and my numerous appearances before the City Commission and Zoning Board prior to becoming a member. I do not believe in zoning changes or granting variances over the valid objection of neighboring property owners or when such changes or variances will be to the detriment of the city. Plunkett is president of Precast Corporation and resides at 5307 Orduna Dr. with his wife, Laurette, and 3-year-old son, Jack Jr. Other Activities He is a member of Bryan JACK PLUNKETT Memorial Methodist Church, a charter member, director and past president of the Coconut Grove Rotary Club, a member and past commander of U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla I and a member of the Florida Planning and Zoning Association. He is also a member of the Coral Gables Country Club, the Rod and Reel Club, and Miami Manufacturers Association. Plunkett has been a permanent resident of Coral Gables since 1937. He was born in Lynchburg, Va. He attended V.M.I. and earned his B.S. degree at the University of Miami in 1940, where he majored in Business Administration and minored in Political Science.

Metro To Decide On Trash Tuesday

A plan whereby South Miami could help Metro Dade County with its garbage and trash collection problems will be accepted or rejected by Metro Commission at its Tuesday, March 21, meeting. Metro, in a letter from South Miami, has been offered a deal for the city to collect garbage and trash within an area designated as the logical South Miami service area, according to South Miami's newly acquired master plan. Designated Area The area designated includes that land lying between the Coral Gables waterway on the north, Red Road on the east, the Palmetto Expressway on the west and Snapper Creek Canal or expressway interchanges on the south. This is about three times the area in South Miami's present corporate boundaries. If Metro approves the plan, South Miami is prepared to render twice a week garbage collection and onec a week trash collection at a cost of $25 a home, the same price paid by South Miami homeowners. "This is not in any way to be construed as a proposal to initiate annexation of the areas involved and has no association or connection with any taxation," South Miami City Manager C. B. Petry prompted in his letter. County residents presently get twice a week garbage collection and practically no trash collection at a cost of $28 a year. Metro To Pay South Miami would be paid by the Metro for the seryces rendered. "This is a sincere and firm offer by the City of South Miami to actually provide adequate services to county residents already paying a larger fee than our citizens are charged for more frequent collections," Petry said. "Of course, this would relieve the Metro Waste Collection Department of a considerable portion of the burden, allowing a more concerted effort in areas where already existing routes cannot be so economically extended," the letter added. Metro's citizens' planning and the conuty's advisory planning boards, sitting at a joint session Thursday, will discuss the plan and make a recommendation to the Commission.

THE TIMES Coral Gables, Fla.