The Key West Citizen Newspaper, August 14, 1952, Page 1

Key West, Florida, has the most equable climate in the country, with an average range of only 14° Fahrenheit VOL. LXXIII, No. 194 The Ken West Citis THE SOUTHERNMOST NEWSPAPER Key West's Summer Tourist Season Breaking All-Time Records; Travel Very Brisk National Airlines Passenger List Doubled Since 49 Key West is sharing in the record breaking sum- mer vacation travel report- ed throughout the state of Florida, according to a check made by The Citizen today, Plane, bus and motels are all far in advance of last year’s business, according to National Airlines, Aerovias Q and Greyhound offices here. Rogelio Gomez, Aerovias “Q” agent reports that last month’s flight business was 22 percent greater than July of 1951, with August holding the increase. He at- tributes the increase of Cu- ban tourists in Key West to better motel and hotel ac- National. Airlines is averaging 100 to. 150 more outgoing.passengers each month from Key West to Mi- 'enée, "focal manager. This increase has been true of May, June, July and the first two weeks in August, Pence reported. In 1952 the number of summer passengers has been from 550 to 00 a month compared with 450 to 475 last summer. Number doubles “The number of passengers has doubled since 1949’, Pence said. dust as last winter was a record breaking plane season, so is the gummer smashing all previous pas- @enger rates of travel, he said. Travel Brisker Florida Greyhound bus manager William H. Arnold, said that though bis company has compiled no sum- mer figures yet, travel is much aes this summer than ever be- “This is true over the entire Keys end into Key West,” he told The Citizen. “Sightseeing busses coming down the Keys to Key West are doing steadier business not so er- ratic as in previous summers. Bus- iness from Cuba is way up. More tourists are flying in and taking busses up the Keys than ever be- ” Key West’s experience is being matched by that of the rest of the state, according to the Fla. State Advertising Commission at Talla- bassee. The Commission attributes the increase to the State's new promotion emphasis on the lower temperatures and cooling ocean breezes on the peninsula and Keys in the summer, y A quick surve; of May through duly 15 tourist traffic, conducted by the State News Bureau, comes wp with highway counts, transpor- @tion, hotel, resaurant and the “gate” reports from commercial ettra show a. flow of Sum- mer business of 15, 30 and even 50 percent above last summer's to tals, Top laurels go to the out- standing spurts in airline “pack- @ge vacation trips” to Florida, - with Eastern leading with an in- crease of 250 percent above 1951 figures. This overall climb, the Commis- sion says is rot limited to vaca- tionists. Checks show increasing numbers of home seekers, with em- (Continuea In Page Four) Complete Stock of Mechanic HAND TOOLS Guaranteed jor Life Roy’s Key West Auto Parts Co. TELEPHONES 1877 . 1878 121 DUVAL STREET Switz Files Petition For Freedom; Fears For His Life “ If Forced To Return To Pa. é GOV. WARREN EXPECTED TO APPOINT MIAMI JUDGE Michael Switz, alias Michael Serovitz and W. W. Carr made the first move in a desperate fight for free- dom yesterday, when, through his attorneys, he filed a petition for a writ of habeaus corpus with Cir- cuit Court Clerk Earl Adams. The basis for the petition, ac- cording to his attorneys, M. Ig- natius Lester and Albert Hubbard of Miami is the fact that the gam- bling charges held against Switz are merely misdemeanors and do not warrant the excessive amount of bond that has been. set, »Phila- delphia authorities have suggested Local Man Heads Naval Ordnance Unit Commander Joseph G. Wheeler, Jr. Appointed Officer In Charge Comdr. Joseph C. Wheel- er, Jr., USN, has relieved Comdr. V. E. Schumacher, as Officer in charge of the Naval Ordnance Unit, the Navy announced today. Comdr. Wheeler is well known to Key Westers. His wife is the former Leonor Warren, daughter of the D avald ‘ vestigating gambling in Philadel- Phia. There are also five indict- ments held against the man stem- to be interested in Switz for pos- sible investigation on income tax: evasion charges, After notification by Adams r that Circuit Court Judge Aquilino Lopez, Jr., is out of the city on tion and un. to hear the case, Governor Fuller expected to appoint a Miami Judge to rule on the petition. In the event that Switz succeeds in getting his bond lowered, he will undoubtedly make bail andj! fight extradition. He is being held in the Monroe County Jail for ex-' tradition to Pennsylvania to face’ the charges. A pair of Philadelphia detectives are expected to arrive West. shortly with a governor's warrant to take the man back to the northern city, At the hearing, the Circuit Court judge will have the power to either: set bail, free him or turn the prisoner over to the Philadel- Phia authorities for extradition. Philadelphia police have no pow- er to re-arrest the .man in this state in the event he is freed. The only circumstances under which they can make an arrest is when has are actually pursuing a fugi- ive. Switz is reported te be in dire fear of his life if he is forced te testify before the grand jury in the Quaker City. His reason for fleeing is said to be te aveid tes- tifying and possibly implicating associates in his alleged partici- pation in Philadelphia numbers operations. Switz had been in Key West for several months. He was engaged in the shrimp business in this city. He was arrested following a tip from a small boy who recognized a picture of him in the police sta- tion, WEEK END lives at 511 Eaton street. The Wheelers and their children have moved into their home at 1117 Flagler avenue since return- KEY WEST, FLORIDA, THURSDAY, AUGUST 14, 1952 The Tomb Von Cosel Built Photo Courtesy Antonio Fernandez SIGHT SEEING MECCA for months before it was blown up by an unrevealed hand four hours after Karl Tanzler, alias Count von Cosel left Key West above. He built it for the girl the crypt and kept at his home for over eight years. in 1941 was the masoleum shown whose body he later took from The in- serioiion gives his idol’s maiden name and the ironic R.1LP. in‘tials for “rest in peace.” The photographs used in the previ- ots story and this one were loaned to The Citizen through the courtesy of Antonio Fernandez, better known as Chico, who makes a hobby of collecting pictures of Key West happenings. Mystery Still Surrounds Von Cosel Even In Death AllQus. Taye Being Made To Find Name Of Unknown Caller By DOROTHY RAYMER Mystery still surrounds Karl Tanzler von Cosel even ‘| in death. His decomposing body was found yesterday }| in his little house where he ren is in Keylig took place July 23 at NOU. Comdr. Wheeler had served as executive officer of NOU from July 1947 thru December, 1948. A graduate of the U. S. Naval Academy in Febru: 1941, Com- mander Wheeler is son of Mr. iy Mrs. J. C. Wheeler, Anniston, a. He holds medals for service in the American, European and Paci- fic Theater, two stars, and the American Defense Occupation Me- dal, World War Il Victory, and China Service Medal. He also irs a bronze star with Combat Comdr. Wheeler served on the (Continued On Page Four) _ see eran stem en cman SCRE FISHING TACKLE Thompson Enterprises, Inc. HARDWARE DIVISION Careline St. Phone 886 SPECIALS BANANA SNOW LAYER CAKE RUM CAKE—Pure Rum Flavored PEACH SHORT CAKE BANANA CREAM PIE TOPPED WITH PURE WHIPPED CREAM PEREZ BROTHERS BAKERY PHONE 1463 12S WHITE STREET lived alone, about two miles from Zephyrhills, Fla., ‘a small town 29 miles from Tampa. Authorities who found him judged that he had died about three weeks ago. It was exactly 13 days ago when an_ unidentified man called The Citizen of- fice long distance Tampa and asked for dates, names and facts in connec- tion with the case of Cosel and Elena Hoyos Me- sa whose body he had re- moved from a mausoleum from von in the City Cemetery here and kept it with him for 1949 FORD Tudor ‘* nearly nine years. ~ The call immediately aroused suspicion here that at that time, nearly two weeks ago, that von Cosel, Asked point blank if von Cosel had died, the unknown caller said he couldn’t give any reason and that the break in the story would come over the Associated Press He added that he was a free lance writer and that he had to have information about the case at once. He was aged 83, was dead. wire. given a brief outline on the internationally famous in- cident. This reporter had been doing research on the old story for over months and the call coincid- ed oddly. Check was made with AP in Mi- ami to see if any story on von Cos- el was due. The city editor of the Tampa Tribune was also called. He said that he knew nothing of von Cosel’s death but that he would check and relay any news. He al- (Continued On Page Four) two RADIO AND HEATER Full Price $895 $299 DOWN BAL. $45.70 MO. 1941 Studebaker Champion FULL PRICE & IN THE U.S.A. The Associated Press Teletype Features and Photo Services. if For 72 Years Devoted to the Best Interests of Key West PRICE FIVE CENTS Nore Time Is Wanted By Plant Builders * J. W. Pritchard MANY STREETS TO BE REPAIRED BY CITY Lt. Smale: Baker Charged With Hitting Cop Lieutenant Commander Wil- liam A. Baker of 2437 Harris Avenue will face five separate charges in City Court this after- noon following his arrest and a wild melee in which he is alleg- ed to have punched a police of- ficer in police headquarters ear- ly this morning. Baker was arrested shortly. after midnight by police officer Richard Brodhead after he went through a stop light at the corner of Duval Street and Tru- man Avenve. Taken to the police station in the patrol wagon for a Drunko- meter test, Baker is said to have suddenly turned and struck Brod- head in the face with his fists. with the aid of Officer managed to subdue the in and place him in a He was later released on $200 bond and will appear in Court this a fie light, ‘driving while intoxi- cated, resisting arrest, assault and battery on a police officer, using profanity and driving with- out an operators license. Hearing Set For Murder Charge Justice of the Peace Roy Hamlin has set preliminary hearing for Sam Price, who is being held in the Monroe County Jail on a mur- der charge in connection with the slaying of Joseph Thomas in Ma- rathon on June 20th. Thomas was beaten and shot on! that date and he died a week later in the Monroe General Hospital | after lingering near death, paralyz- | ed from the neck down. William Henry Cotton is also be- | ing held for murder in the case. At a coroner’s inquest into the | slaying, a verdict of “death by ! shooting at the hands of Coton” was brought in by the jury. Price was named as an accessory before | and after the fact. Both are held without bond. At- torney George Brooks is represen- ing Price in his defense against ' the charges. | Lions Club Plans Musical Program The Lions Club will feature a musical program at their regu- lar meeting tonight. Willard Saunders is in charge and he has secured a troupe that is presently being featured at the Prevue Lounge — “Three Chaps And A Chick”. On the agenda for discussion are | plans to secure aid for Mrs. Inez Scott, negro woman whose home | recently burned to the ground on Barrota Lane. ANNOUNCES THE OPENING OF HIS OFFICE AT 417 BATON ST. Genera! Surgery and Genera} Practice Office hours 10-12 2-5 Saturday 10-1 AND BY APPOINTMENT OFFICE PHONE 1300 Resident Phone 704-XJ any definite action. WORK WILL START WITHIN NEXT WEEK OR SO Residents living in the area bounded by Virginia, White, United, and Pearl will soon have newly re- paired streets to ride upon. City Manager Dave King and public service director Ivan Roberts disclosed to- day that work will com- mence on these streets with- in the next week or so, An- gela, on the west side of Whitehead, is also sched- uled to be repaired diately. General trend of news notes from City Hall indicate a pro- gressive work schedule that will improve many unfavorable con- ditions that now exist. Work on the sewer break near the new electric plant is nearing completion. King says thay whe it is finished, workers will ‘start laying 360 feet of 30” arch pipe from the cerner of Caroline and Grinnell streets out to the bulk- head and the bay. This should | prove to be a big help in solving the drainage area. It is also planned to install 400’ of 10” pipe along the west side of Simonton from the bay to the corners of Simonton and Front streets. The land in this area is extremely low; drainage of water as well as high “tides make this section practically un- inhabitable during wet seasons. Drainage pipe should help the situation but it won't solve it, says King. Fire Hydrants A story in yesterday's Citizen listed fire hydrant rental as $50 per year. The city manager to- day stated that this was the old rate. A new contract which he secured recently lowered the price on such rental to $25. The Aqueduct Commission is re- sponsible for maintenance. Drainage Wells As soon as the drainage wells which are now being dug on Fogarty are completed, work will start on five new fire wells to be located in the negro section problems of that of town west of Whitehead. The | ner new budget provides for a total of twelve such fire wells through- out the island. 13th St. Extension The right-of-Way for the ex- tension of 13th Street through to Roosevelt Blvd. must be located. This will be surveyed either by Ivan Roberts or Dave King— probably both. Asked whether | they would use boats, Roberts said that the water area wouldn't be over chest-high and that they would wade as usual. Proposed Sewerage Project The city manager could give no fresh news on the proposed sewerage project and whether Washington officials have taken He expects Clifford-Cooper, the engineers handling the plans, to make a trip up to the nation’s capital (Continued On Page Four) TRY Wylk’s Drive-In For *& Delicious Hamburgers * King Size Hot Dogs * Barbecued Ribs Company Asks For Eight Week .. Extension Builders of the $300,000 steam electric plant have asked for an eight week ex- tension to their contract which calls for completion of the plant by November 18, it was learned today. J. W. Pritchard company gets a bonus if it finishes the 10,000 KW plant by then, They pay a daily pen- alty if they fail to complete it. Attorney for the Utility Board, J. Lancelot Lester, said he would study the matter and present his findings to Board members: According to a report of plant work in progress made by Resi- dent Engineer Kenneth Ward of R. W. Beck Associates, two of the boilers are installed. One has pass- ed its hydrostatic test, the other will be tested next week. turbine is complete and. ready for ‘obération. Another “wf” be--teséy. next week, The sub-contractor is, about 30 percent finished with the stucco on. the outside of the build- ing. The power conduit is about 90 percent. complete and the lighting circuits about 95 percent. The Board was asked at its Tues- day meeting to add $250 to the $500 reward offered for information on the arsonists who destroyed the 200 electric transmission poles ten days ago. Reynolds Company, which is building the Big Pine Key line, suid it had also asked the Lower Keys Property Owners Association to add $250. The mat- ter was not acted upon. The Geor- gia construction company builders of the line said that the loss of the poles will not seriously inter- rupt their working schedule, The two Portable Diesel engines now in use on a rental basis by City Electric system are being considered for purchase by the Board. Several cities have already made inquiries as to buying the Diesels should Key West buy them and want to sell them next year, City Electric has said that one en- gine will no longer be needed in December, after the steam plant opens and another can be released in May. Board member Louis M. J. Eis- id that he several years ago that 10,000 KW ip a steam electric plant would never suffice. The need is for 18,215 KW in power, he said. Routine change orders and pay- ment of bills were approved at the Tuesday meeting. A ten cent an hour increase to all employees of City Electric has been recom- mended. Present at the meeting were Board Secretary Ernest Ramsey, Board members Horace O’Bryant and Eisner. A. H. Dunton and Ward of Beck company were there as was Merville Rosam, comptroller of City Electric. Two Car Crash An automobile owned by Mrs. | Christine Rodriguez of the George Allen Apartments was slightly da- maged yesterday when it wae struck by a vehicle owned by Cle ment J, Russell of 821 Windsor Lane on First Street. Russell said that he was pa: his car when he became il} struck the Rodriguez car. The matter was settled between the parties involves. MEETING BRANCH S% FLEET RESERVE ASSOCIATION Thursday, Aug. 14, 8:30 P.M, - Members Please Attend