The Key West Citizen Newspaper, December 2, 1938, Page 1

(eee ee Seen eee Associated Press Day Wire Service For 58 Years Devoted to the Best: Interests of Key West VOLUME LIX. No. 286. Che Key West Cittzrn THE SOUTHERNMOST NEWSPAPER IN THE U.S. A. . KEY WEST, FLORIDA, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1938 WPA Headquarters Fail ‘Te. Become Excited Over'Key’ West's Gambling Activities Statement Made By St. Pe- tersburg Times Reporter Reaches Official Head- quarters (By Washington Correspondent of The Key West Citizen) WASHINGTON, D. C., Dec. 2. —Allegations that Key West “The City WPA Built”, that wide-open gambling flourishes, among scenes reminiscent of the San Francisco gold coast, while risque pictures, painted by artists on Uncle Sam’s relief rolls, look on, today received the. official “pooh-pooh” of the Works Prog- ress Administration Further, the WPA heads here, commenting on reports that WPA checks are furnishing the funds for the gambling, and that every-| one in Key West either WPA or living off workers on that agency's payroll, said they doubted such a situation very greatly—because they didn’t ‘see hhow very much profit could come fo anyone from the minimum wages the Government is payin: its relief workers. In short, “It. may be so, but its none of our oifig,” said WPA when faced with the lurid report of Key West night life presented publicly last week py a reporter for The St. Petersburg Times. Replying one by one charges made by The Times’ re- porter—that gambling flourishes openly, that most of the town draws relief checks, that night clubs are “decorated” with risque pictures paid for with Govern- ment money, the WPA heads said that. some of the statements may well be more or less true, but that WPA here has nothing to do with their existence, or lack of existence. Explain Matter The Overseas hjghway, they explained, was built four years ago—but not with WPA funds. At the time the road was built, i continued, Key West was on its last legs; its railroad was defunct; its cigar manufac- turers moved to Tampa; its tour- ist trade depression-hit and its principal business of sponge fish- ing nothing much to shout about. The Government was faced with the alternative of moving Key West's population bodily to more salubrious,\ economically speaking, climates, or of provid- ing that populace with a means of livelihood. So when the Over- seas highway was built, an ex- tensive renovation of Key West buildings, public and private, was carried out; artist were em- ployed, and Government-financed nad began to evidence it- self. About Expenditures Only, reminded WPA officials, ' in those days it wasn't WPA nor even CWA—but FERA—the Fed- eral Emergency Administration of Public Works, which func- tioned by paying each month to each state a certain amount to help care for the states’ relief needs. How the States spent this money WPA is not quite certain, and as,one official said ironically, “We aren’t sure that FERA was certain.” to the! ! o0ncccbbbbbbees | NEWS FLASHES (My Asnociated Press) Cvorecucesuscosncece | FOREIGN | PARIS.—Sporadi striking and {riots were the order of the day ‘throughout the whole of France , in protst to punitive measures or- | dered by Daladier on breaking ‘the general strike Wednesday. | ‘Three hundred discharged work- jers stormed a factory they were discharged from. Aboard two ‘trains passengers were hurt and ,trainmen injufed as workers jstormed theifi:'"Two street cars were upset ffi dhother town and {arrests were’ plentiful every- where. j BUENOS AIRES.—The news- , Paper “La Prensa” today warned that it wouldn’t be wise for President Roosevelt to attend the Lima conference on Pan-Ameri- can relations. President Coolidge ,caused nothing but hard feeling ‘in attending the Havana confer- jence, it said. President Roose- velt’s attendance at the Buenos Aires special assembly was of a different nature, it said. i ae ! TOKYO.—Japan will protest | the non-granting of fishing rights in Russian waters to Japanese ‘fishermen, which a 1905 treaty jgranted. Yearly Russia had been granfing the rights but there has! now been a two-year delay. | BUCHAREST.—King Carol is jcontinuing a double-barreled campaign against the remaining {members of the Iron Guard, which attempted to overthrow his government, He is continuing to ;Tut 6ut*the’ revolutionists and is also seeking to become friendly with student and farmer groups which “were sympathetic with the movement. LONDON.—British industry is raising subscription to aid itself in meeting the competition of Germany which has seized all its , export trade with the Balkans. NATIONAL OXEN HILL, Maryland.—Mary Brown, pretty school girl, who was kidnaped yesterday, return- ed to her home and parents yes- jterday with a stranger than fic- ‘tion tale of talking the kirnapers ‘out of keeping her by telling them her father had no money to ransom her. A medical exam- ination showed that the 18-year- old girl had not been attacked. | She and her sister, Lucy, were offered a ride returning home from school yesterday in a truck. Refusing, they were seiz- ed but Lucy broke away and ran home screaming, ay ty SALT LAKE CITY. — Investi- gation of the school bus grade crossing accident in which 24 were killed began today as it ap- peared possible that four others would die. Thirteen others were injured in the accident. WASHINGTON.—Cold weather continued in the north Atlantic and Rocky Mountain sections, but the Mississippi and Ohio ‘Valleys reported warm weather. NEW YORK.—Stocks were ir- regularly lower. Bonds were firm. Off were U. S. Steel, Beth- lehem, Santa Fe, with the excep- tions of Paramount, Consolidated, Petroleum and Woolworth. COUNTY’S TAX ROLL COMPLETED But men were put to work or, —in some states—just given. di- rect relief. The guess was hazard- ed today that there must have been 48 different methods of spending FERA money in the various states. About the charges of current WPA activity, authorities here had some definite comments to make. The navy yard, where it was charged by The Times re- County tax roll has been com- pleted and is now in the office of Collector Frank Ladd, who, with the assistance of his clerks, is ready to issue receipts for taxes, he said today. Payment of taxes during the month of December will result in a reduction of four percent, it Was stated, and of two percent in January end one percent in Feb- porter that 115 men had to be ruary kept busy, has to be kept in con- dition for use by the Navy, it was said. WPA projects have been individually approved by (Continued on Page Four) After that date collections will be made on a flat basis, said the tax collector. All taxes not paid by April 1 will become delin- iquent, according to the law. Coecrcecoveccccecccccecccesoucsesocoos » @eccssveeecoecoee Honolulu Air Fleet CECCCOOOOOCOOOOOSOOOOCOOOEEEDOOOS BOLsOEOEEOOLETERS the giant bombers present a tranquil picture quite at odds active in developing this Pacific air station. ‘COURTHOUSE WORK’ TO START MONDAY | | | ‘ANNOUNCEMENT MADE TO- DAY BY EARLE WOLFE, AS- SOCIATE ARCHITECT Refunding GEIL ILS LS 8 |DOMINICAN YOUTH LEAVES FOR HOME tect in the office of Russell Pan-| Jose Julio Fernandez, Do- coast which furnished the plans! minican youth, one of the trio who reached Key West, November 13, in an 18-foot dcry from Santo Domingo, left on the early bus this morning for New York where Earle Wolfe, associate archi-} for additions to the county court house, expects that work will begin Monday. This he said | while in the office of Clerk Ross; % he has relatives. C. Sawyer, this Sern: Fernandez, with Tracy A. When S. C. Davis, of the con-; Bader and Brian Mozier, stfuction company which. was! young men of Illinois who awarded.the contract for the im-; had been in Puerta Plata, provements was in the city Tues-, prospecting for gold, set out day to sign the papers and fur-; on their voyage to America, {nish the bond required by the: and after being at sea for 29 |PWA, there was found to be cer-/ days, arrived at the Key tain matters in connection with} West Yacht Basin, Sunday, the bond which had to be November 13. straightened out before it would! Safisfactory explanations be acceptable. | were thade to officers of the Mr. Wolfe said that he anti-| United States departments, jcipated this’ matter would be, and after the payment of fixed by the bonding’ company’s fees tequired were admit- office in Atlanta, and authority! eq to the country. In a few to proceed with the work would, gays Mozier and Bader left be received in time to start ahs for their Illincis home and DR WILUAMS "COMES TO C relatives enabling him leave for New York. ASSISTANT SURGEON GEN- OR | | j “ |< SURE ESN TROL WORK T. P. Atwell, carpenter, and ; W. Johnson and W. Brady, black- smiths, sailed on the Lighthouse Tender which left last night for Tampa Bay where a schedule of buoy painting and other activity will be carried on Members of the party leaving to do the work were: Mervin D. Albury, Antonio Bethencourt, Jeff Knight, Jr, George J. del Pino, George W. Solomon, Joseph A. Dom h, Joseph McMahon, John Cormack, Edward Woodson, Rafael del Pino and Frank Knowles Mr. Dr..Charles Williams, assistant surgeon general of _the United States, arrived in the city this morning accompanied by Dr. G. L. Dunnahoo, in charge of the , Quarantine station at Miami for |a visit with local health officers in connection with control of the mosquito, especially the Ades Egypti, the mosquito which car- ries the germs of yellow fever. The visiting surgeons have been in conference with Dr. J. B. Parramore, of the local health unit, and member of the State Board of Health, and Dr. Wm. R | Warren, city health officer, who jhave given their approval of the | control movement. Messrs. Williams and Dunna- hoo will remain until tomor- row, at least, and will be guests ™ Jof Dr. Anthony P. Rubino, chief All househo ted surgeon of the United States Pub- ask pi ‘ae Arena lic Health Service, at his quarters pong the island jin the Marine hospital reserva- |= P. 0. RECEIPTS ell will be in charge of the work which will be done, it is said, at the department docks located at Egmont Key. Another group leaving on the Ivy was Light Keeper Howard Lowe and famil bel Island lighthouse, to which Mr .Lowe was recently transfer- red from merican Sh light ” i pr ert Ss | pe j West Pc } of Nove : over th $130.04 amount s year Receipts at office for In Novernber, 19: les ed to $2,391.98 and for t the sale$ were $2,521.82 issued during year totalled $34,- joney orders paid $19,097.12, of $15,615.02. { { j 712.14, while 1 reached a total making a difference BUY CHRISTMAS SEALS going to Sani-| eooo cee Key West, Florida, has the most equable climate in the country; with an average range of only 14° Fahrenheit | | Attorney’s Opinion Allows City To Levy Ad Valorem When the American Eagle’s brood comes to rest at Hickman field near Honolulu, with their deadly purpose. The bombers are lined up for inspection by Brig. Gen. Walter Frank who has been City Making Plans For — Its Obligations ! City Council at its regular meeting last night appointed a committee, composed of Council- men William Monsalvatge, Wil- iam Doughiry and William Free- man, to work out a plan to be! submitted io the council for its consideration toward refunding floating obligations of the city. | This matter would be taken (care of by issuing interest-bear- jing bonds to creditors, with the idea of placing the city on a! firmer financial basis. This proposed action for issuing i bonds later on, bearing possibly ‘two percent interest, would have to be taen care of by a legisla- ; tive act. | The object of the plan is main- ly to take care of city warrants and other indebtedness in month- ly rotation. Whenever funds are ;made available, the warrants will be cashed in regular order as | they fall due. The practice now is to cash warrants for the cur- rent month. A request was received he be permitted to settle delin- quent taxes to the amount of about $4,000 with general rev- enue bonds. These bonds held by Mr. Porter are said to bear six percent interest. After discuss- ing the matter, it was referred to the finance committee for inves- tigation. The committee will make its report at the next meet- ing of the council. A bill was submitted for en- tertainment of Colonel Fulgencio sta by Mayor Albury at the Marina, which amounted to 90 as th city’s part of the ex- 's portion is $80.00, making a total of $159.90 The council ordered its portion of the bill be paid It was ordered that a payroll be made for city employes on the basis of 25 percent of one month's salary. Officers’ report were read and ered placed on file. Current bills were read and were ordered paid when funds become avail- able K. 0. THOMPSON RETURNS TO CITY SHERIFF OF MONROE COUN- TY HAD BEEN ABSENT SEVERAL WEEKS Sheriff K. © Thompson re- to the city yesterday aft- absence several weeks, ng much better and though a good deal of his embonpoint h disappeared, he looks per- nd says that he feels Thompson ieft for New York where he visited on busi- ness and pleasure and afterward left for Hot Springs, Ark.. for the treatment and paths. He was there joined by his brother, Nor- berg Thompson, county commis-, sioner, who returned about 10 days ago. from ; William R. Porter at the meeting | last night in which he asked that Taxes On ‘Matter Brought Before City Council During Regular Session Held Last Night { { { { i | i In an opinion rendered by ‘ Henry H. Taylor, Jr.. oot counsel for the City of Key West, | the council at its regular meeting | last night was advised by letter |that the tax assessor may prop- jerly levy ad valorem taxes upon beer, wine and liquor in the pos- | session of retail and wholesale dealers. This opinion was arriv- | ed at, Mr. Taylor stated, after) (having examined the statutes of | ithe State of Florida. | Another opinion rendered by | } the city attorney was to the ef-| jfect that Mrs, Abelardo Lopez, ; would be entitled to a ‘license to operate a beer and | wine saloon under the provisions {of the state law and would also {be contrary to the city ordinances |in this connection. Presented By Harris — Attorney L. A. Harris brought! this matter before ‘the council a} | short time ago, contending that’ jMrs. Lopez had the right to op- jerate in the same status as others | who were operating within the 1300 feet distance from a church {or school, due to the fact that , Mrs. Lopez’ place was established {prior to the adgption of the pres- jent law, which places her in the ‘same status as others who are permitted to dperate providing they were in business previous to the enactment of the new existing | ordinances. Makes Appointments A letter was read from Mayor Willard M. Albury informing the council that he had appointed Edward J. O. Roberts and Frank E. Wood as assistant sanitary of- ficers with a salary of $75 per month. They were appointed to assist in the mosquito control work now being carried on. It was ordered that the police committee meet with the mayor for the purpose of reaching somt agremeent regarding the pay- ment of Gamages to Esmond Al- bury on his motorcycle that was partly wrecked during the time that Traffic Officer B. Perez was injured. The motorcycle was loaned to the city by Mr. Albury during the Batista visit to Key West. not Would Lend Aid A letter was read from State Senator David Elmer Ward, rep resenting the twenty-fourth dis trict, in which Key West is in- cluded. The letter stated that he would ever be ready to offer all assistance possible to the resi- dents of this locality in connec ; tion with his administration It was ordered that all bids be rejected on the proposed pur- chase of a car for the police de partment at this time. It was decided to take the matter up at a later date. Goldsmith Heard Sam Goldsmith addressed the meeting relative to the proposed airport on Stock Island Mr Goldsmith said that the city was desirous of first obtaining the views of the golf club relative to the donation of this land, mainly to ascertain whether it would in terfere with the operation of the links. Mr. Goldsmith said he would take the matter up ¥ the golfers and would apprise the council in the matter in the near future. This information became ne cessary when the Civil Aero- nauties organization requested the city some time ago to make a decision as to whether they would turn over the land in i (Continued oz Page Four) Beer U. S. Marine Band Director FOR 40 SEASONS Captain Taylor Branson (above), di- rector of the U. S. Marine Band, has been entertaining , White House guests. He “ started as an apprentice in 18: ‘this wniter. PRICE FIVE CENTS Fort Jefferson Passenger: Boats Left This Morning For Tortugas ‘Owner C. B. Sutton Of Sut- ton Lines And Fort Su- perintendent. J. Felton Left On Trip The yacht “Nirvana” left yes- terday for Tortugas in tow of the “Talofa” where the Nirvana will be stationed as a houseboat off fort Jefferson to provide pas: sengers with lodging accommo- dations for overnight and longer stops when the Tortugas passen- ger run begins in the middie of December. Berthing at the Yacht Basin at 3 p. m. yesterday afternoon the boats brought C. B. Sutton, own- er of the Sutton Lines, Inc., which will operate the service The larger 111-foot houseboat which was once own- ed by John Wannamaker is the conventional houseboat . type | painted in white with a finish of dark oak varnish. The smaller | Talofa will be used to make the {painting and | boats. ins over. It can develop a speed of 16 knots an hour. Workmen were busy yesterday renovating the Both will be in first-class condition when the season be- gins. Mr. Sutton and party which in- cluded Captain Clniton Smith, Captain Johnson, Mrs. Sutton, Mrs. Mildred Patrick and Robert , George wre accompanied by Su- ,Perintendent J. Felton and Mrs. Felton of the Department of the Interior, Fort Jefferson, on the trip over this morning. ROTES CONSIDER — SPONSORSHIP CITY CLEANUP PROGRAM STRONG " DISCUSSION FOL- LOWS: APPOINT COMMIT- TEE TO CONSIDER PROJECT FEASIBILITY At the Rotary Club luncheon yesterday intense discussion on the line of demarcation between politics and civic projects con- cerning the proposition of the club beginning a clean-up cam- paign shortly was held. B. Curry Moreno, WPA Area Supervisor, and Curry Harris, county attorney, were appointed a committee to investigate the sibility of beginning, the proj- ect J 44 Discussion was precipitated folic a stating of the aims of Rotary as an international or- ganization which safeguards good feeling among its members by non-participation in politics. In attempting to establish the bounds safe city projects several def- initions were given. One was that polities began where contro versial issue which was to be presented to the electorate was brought before the club. Another definition advanced that project for the betterment of the city should not labeled with the brand of politics The proposition vanced thatthe Rotary Club id sponsor a cleanup cam F jme before the be \wourist » m. It ugh. sTatht this would ary reflect 4 Board of < We wou 1 and Charles Sands Harris and Division Street ools’ safety patfol, a group in- i by the Rotary Club, were of the club. Luther Bur C., was a a be had been ad m1 cast Put Billy of the of Concord, N Rotarian. B. C. Caok, W. J. Ingling, Idaho. Charlotte. Pocatello, Ahern Funeral Home JOSEPH L. PLUMMER, Vice President AMBULANCE SERVICE Phone 22211 Miami Fle. The Citizen understands _ that daily service will be furnished at the height of the winter season but that service which is expect- ed to begin by the middle of De- cember will include only a few trips a week with the number largely depending on the amount of passengefs. An _ information and ticket booth will be estab- lished at Key West and it is ex- pected that the National Park Service and the Sutton Lines will cooperate in preparing national publicity. The historic Fort and nearby Loggerhead Key Light, both situ- ated on sand island surrounded by deep, beautiful water, _ has been in the conversation of Key Westers since it was announced that the Lines would operate. Many have announced their in tention of making the trip. TEMPERATURES COCO LOSES EE ESOC RD ETS loWest at 8 a, m. last night 58 58 34 a“ 12 12 20 20 50 46 36 36 a“ 32 a 32 66 “4 79 26 “4 52 66 60 54 ” 62 u“ SA 1B 48 54 2 56 52 2B 4 Station— Abilene Atlanta Boston Buffalo Denver Detroit Galveston Havana Huron Jacksonville Kansas City KEY WEST Little Rock Los Angeles Louisville Miami Mpis.-St. Paul New Orleans New York Pensacola St. Louis Sait Lake City San Francisco Tampa Wachington Williston JAYCEES HAVE MEET TONIGHT Key West Junior Chamber of will meet tonight 8 Chamber of Com Commerce: o'clock at the merce offices. Before them will be considera tion of a tentative schedule of winter events which the clubs of the city have begun to back up greatly. Reports on the club's own exhibitions and events in the program will be forthcoming.