The Key West Citizen Newspaper, October 18, 1952, Page 12

Page 12 Retired Navy Officer Claims Key West’s Naval Base Is Being Used As “Political Football” In Presidential Election Race he Stevenson for President root- “ the Democratic Split-Tick- ors whose motto is, “Ike for Pres- “’ have both brought up the of whether or not the Navy ‘vas reopened because of the t Democratie administra- earheading the split-ticket crive in Key West is Cmdr. Ray B cus who claim: that the Navy Yard should not be used as a politi- cal focthall as politics had nothing to du. with the closing or re-opening of the Yard. He was one of the first of many © “cers to report for duty in Key West in November 1939, and as number four on the roster | who reported knows a great deal about the history of the entire Nav-; al Station. His job was that of Sup- | ply, Accounting, Disbursing and Commissary Officer. “At the time just prior to World | War Il, none of us knew why the Naval Station had been re-opened. There were no ships based here,” fie said. An inquiry to Washington authorities brought the answer, | “We believe that Key West is to} be used as a small refueling depot | and supply base for destroyers pat- | rolling the Caribbean. You will not | need many employees.” The naval command at Charles- ton asked what progress had been | made. Cmdr. Byrns went there and after talking long distance to Wash- ington got a “pretty good idea of what was expected of us in Key | West.” Word was received that two THE KEY WEST CITIZEN | before that, San Diego, Calif., were to operate from Key West. After Cmdr. Byrns had placed his first order for pro- visions and supplies the first of the destroyers arrived. “‘We were a destroyer operating base only. No submarines,” he «stated. Six months later, Capt. Walter Jacobs who had reported as com- thandant called Byrns into his off- ice and showed: him a letter from the commander of the Atlantic Submarine Flotilla asking about the desirability of Key West as a} submarine training base. A board of officers arrived from New Lon- don, Conn., and while here they were urged to establish a base here. It was pointed out that the all year round weather conditions, training conditions and the depth of water | were good. “The chief drawback,” Cmdr. Byrns said, “‘was the lack of fresh water as we then depended on rain- fall. There was also lack of hous- ing. However, the board report was favorable and in due time the subs arrived. Following that a sonar training school was established, housed in the small wooden shacks, relics of the ‘first World War.” Going. back through the years the commander re- viewed the early days when the | Navy Yard was closed. In the late 20’s or early 30’s the American “big ship” Navy with battleships, ‘large cruisers and a few flat-tops could not use the Key West, base. Submarines at the time, while playing a large part in World War Saturday, October 18, 1952 the extensive use of today. The sub- marine force followed the big ships including destroyers, in their train- ing. Consequently San Diego and New London bases filled the needs. Cmdr. Byrns also said that sonar and undersea weapons in the past had not reached the present im- portance. by “It is for these reasons, not be- canse of any political reason, that Key West and numerous other small naval bases were closed,” he underscored. “There was also at that time, drastic need to conserve national funds. Then in 1939 when every indication pointed to World War II and the Navy Department, |Navy Man Promoted because of the policy adopted by | the party then in power (that of| patrolling our shipping lanes ‘or | their protection) began to re-open | the closed Naval Stations including ; the one here at Key West,” he said. | In conclusion of the interview, | Cmdr. Byrns pointed out that “‘ex- | pediency and the State of the} Union demanded the re-opening of the Naval bases here. It had noth- ling to do with any political party either Republican or Democrat. There is no spot along the Atlantic | so admirably located as Key West |for all year round training and de- ; velopment and no administration, whatever the party is in the White- | house, will close Key West as long as there is a need for the sabmar- ines which along with the Air Arm, have become the Navy’s first line of attack and defense. Facts, not fear in thinking is what we must | | THEODORE H. BROWN, Warrant Raélo Electrician, USN, hus- band of Mrs. Dorothy L. Brown of Miller’s Trailer Court was recently promoted from chief electronics technician at the Sonar School. In the Attack ment, Mr. Brown has been a staff member at the Sonar School since January of 1950, The new warrant officer enlisted 1939, and his duty assignments have included three Navy schools besides various sea billets. Schools Mr. Brown attended were the Elementary Electricity and Radio Material School at the Miss. Republi publicans Will Meet Today pi's white Republican faction, || known as the “Lily Whites,” meets today to decide whether to with draw its slate of electors from the Nov. 4 ballot in fayor of electors pledged to Gen. Dwight Eisenhow. er by pro-Eisenhower Democrats, The Executive Committee meet- jing here is scheduled for 2:30 p. it fac- Tans,” said of the independent slate sponsored by the “Mississippians for Eisen- |@ hower”’ if the “Lily Whites” would remove theirs. The deadline for withdrawing from the general election ballot is midnight Monday. In. this overwhelmingly Demo- cratic state, the ticket sponsored by the Eisenhower Democrats claims the greatest chance of car- rying the state for the general, because the state is traditionally anti-Republican, . * Pair Vanish CHESTER, Calif. (#—Two men and a little girl vanished tonight between nearby Westwood and here and Sheriff Mel H. Schooler said he feared a repetition of the rob- bery-massacre of a‘ grocer and three children a week ago. “I am ordering a search and this looks like the same deal we had’a week ago tonight,” the Plu- mas County sheriff said. - He was referring to the brutal slaying of Guard Young, 43, his daughters, Judy, 6, and Jean, 7, and their. playmate, Michael Saile, 3 at Official U.S. Navy Photo Teacher Maintenance Depart- in the Navy in October, squadrons of four stack destroy- ers then being re-commissioned in eee reer eA ALE AO SN CA ATO SE A LETTER Wear Neighbor: Experts point out the utter fail- ures of the Communist Party, not only throughout the world but with- in the Soviet Union itself, are re- flected in the Moscow meeting of the first Communist congress in 13 years. Dr. Sergius Jacobson, in our radio interview two weeks ago, pre- dicted the abolishment of the Po-) litburo. Dr. Jacobson, author of the Senate publication “Tensions With- in the Soviet Union” and Senior Specialist of International Rela- tions at the Library of Congress, interpreted this action as a move to purge fromthe party those who are weakening in support of the Communist government. I is every indication of dis- ilusiohment within the frontiers of Russia, ‘not only among the ordin- ary citizens but within the party itself,” said Dr. Jacobson. ‘The Communists’ proclaimed aim of setting up a classless society in Russia has resulted only in their creating a dictatorghip. A dictator- ship not of the masges, for the citi- zen or the worker, Hot even a dic- tatorship of the party or the Polit- bure, but a dictatorship of a single; man — Stalin.” The complete failure of the Com- nunists to achieve their proclaim- | 1d aim, which is now being recog- I, had not completely come into face.” FROM BILL LANTAFF selves as merely an outward pre- ed one class of extreme wealth who tense, is exemplified by many of | live in places, palatial mansions their own deeds and actions. While | and country homes. There is ten- Ford Factory, Dearborn, Mich.; the Radio Material School, NRL, Washington, D. nd the Advanced Electronies School at Treasure Island California. v i ll hin lh in nin tint tninn p tp p p | Of Interest To You, But... 4. They were waylaid on the West- wood-Chester road. or 3-year-old daughter and another man_ believed to be Hawkins’ brother-in-law. They failed to re- tized by the Russian people them- t i | | ABROAD AASASADASAS SF AAABBEAABABAREES® there are many nationalities and numerous minority groups in the Soviet Union, it is a fact very few of these classes have ever been re- presented in the Politburo. Russian propaganda has asserted the achi- evemnt of complete equality of the sexes in their country, yet no wo- men have ever been appointed to the Politburo. Dr. Jacobson revealed there is every indication the Communists, in utterly failing to accomplish their outward pretense of establish- ing a classless society, have actual- ly merged certain upper classes in- to one extremely privileged class. This class is made up of those of the higher political level, the par- ty bosses, the managerial group, heads of various industrial: enter- prise and the technical intelligent- sia - such as writers, artists and members of the Academy of Scien- tists. While the Communist propa- ganda supposedly supports a class- less sociéty in Russia and through- out the world, Stalin and this crowd under his dictatorship, have creat- wvvveveF THIS ROCK BILL Dennis Yarber, a former em- ployee of the City of Key West, was dismissed from the Public Works Department after serving year as a bull-dozer operator. Yar- ber was rated as a temporary em- ployee during this time and he feels that the Civil Service Board has been unfair in not granting him acerued vacation pay. He asked me if I could suggest a solution where- by he might get this money, not so much for the money's sake but be- cause it would bring to light unor- thodox, methods that are used by the city in hiring “temporary em- ployees”. Says Yarber: “I contend that with complete and utter disregard as to why I was dismissed, that I am still entitled to the year's vaca- tion pay which I earned and I am entitled to a hearing before the Board on the case of my dismiss- fal” sion mounting in tthe Soviet Union as the ordinary citizen sees through the falseness of the Communist pro- paganda. During my discussion with Dr. Jacobson I mentioned the debate we had in Congress which resulted | | in having the President of the Uni- ted States pay taxes on his expense account like the other businessmen | of our country. I inquired if the | people of Russia knew anything | about the salary or expense ac- counts of their officials. The Doctor replied that the Rus-} sian taxpayer doesn't know and ne- ver will know how much their of- ficials receive, since it will never | be truthfully disclosed. He went on to say that, in comparison with tthe | United States, no individual would dare propose or even think about | proposing that Stalin and his crowd | disclose their worth. Should -any- | one propose such action it is coubt- | ful that he would be heard from | | again. } SINCERELY YOURS, BILL LANTAFF. ewververey: OF OURS town ringing bells and blowing si- | rens. They simply do not want to | jor stiff neck Neesed any chances on the payroll section not knowing that they are on the job. } Yarber’s best bet in the present | | situation will be to keep plugging at the Civil Service Board for a hearing. I’ve talked to Jack Delan- | ey and a couple of other city offi- | | cials. They did not go into the mat- | ter thoroughly but seemed to be of the above opinion also, | Monuments The question has been raised as | to which is best — te spend money on a stone monument as a memori- al or to use the money for more hu- manitarian purposes. Personally, I think it is entirely up to people j concerned if K is a private enter- | prize. Monuments sre nice but their principle value is in providing their | promoters with a wholesome means By RUSSELL KAY \AAAAAALAALS &EAANAAAAAAAALAAL AAA Are you insured or do you just | THINK you are insured? I don’t know whether you have | paid any attention to it or not, but if you read your newspapers- you probably have noticed that damage suits for automobile accidents no longer are for $50,000 or $10,000. No sir, today, the injured party sues for $25,000 $50,000 or as high as $150,000. And to make matters worse, juries and courts are inclin- ed to favor the injured party and jallow claims that a few years ago would have been considered exor- bitant. For many years I have carried liability insurance on my car, long before it was required by law. I thought I was safe w a5 and 10 policy, but today any guy driving an automobile had bet- | ter carry at least $50,000 or he may } wake up to Yind himself behind the eight ball that will take him the | rest of his life to get clear of. Thanks to the New Deal and the Fair Deal that have devaluated the dollar to where it is worth only 50 cents or less, folks who get hurt are inclined to go out for big dough. They contend that a sprained ankle is worth at least $25,000 and if they lose an arm or a leg, Oh Boy, look out. Well, I have stepped up my liabi- lity insurance to $50 000; not be- | cause I have that kind of money, but because I might get into a jam and have a judgment slapped against me for a lot more than I am actually worth, Why should I care on aeeount of they can’t get blood out of a turnip. Well maybe they can't, but they can sit back and take every dime | I might happen to make the rest of my life if the courts give them a | judgment Maybe you noted that insurance ; rates on automobiles increased 42 per cent they are called on to pay. When you and I and a lot of other dumb | motorists are careless and allow § the accident rate to go up by leaps / n I carried | Any way you figure it, that’s a lot of per cent. You know { | insurance companies aren't in bus. iness for fun. They establish their | rates on the basis of the claims ‘ ‘Too Late To Classify Diabetes is more common among people who have been overweight than among those who are under- weight. on your house or household belong- ings. Better not take it for granted for you may have a fire and find yor were underinsured about 60 or 75 per brat Very few homes in the country today are fully insured. 90 per cent of them are underinsured and if a fire occurred the owners would find that they couldn’t come anywhere near replacing their loss with the pitiful amount of insurance they would receive. Your house, like mine, was pro- bably insured away back when a dollar was a dollar and if it had burned down they we would have been Yully covered. But, brother, if jit burned today with the dollar | value where it is and construction ‘ ’ vet where they are, you would a ‘ind that your so-called $5,000 house Fri a ceimea insured for $5,000 couldn't be re- | torist. The Safety Council Highway | placed for $10,000 or $15,000. } Patrol and all the other agencies | Most of us are living in a fool’s ‘ean scream their heads off and | paradise. We don't realize that to- | wa¥n you until the cows ‘come home | day’s dollar isn't worth half what | but until you actually wake up and lit was afew years ago. We are | do something about it yourself, the \ blissfully sitting on a: powder keg | situation will get worse before it | and asking to have our little pink gets better. jears knocked down. Better check | And while we are on the subject |up on both your automobile and jof insurance, maybe you think you fire insurance before something ‘are protected with fire insurance |happens and you lose your shirt. ee N Let us give you @ a MEASURED SUNLIGHT } } » i See the new idea in Venetian Blinds PUTNAM j i it is my understanding that the of expending melancholy feelings Civil Service Board is supposed to| and sad memories, Private indivi hear and act on all complaints of | duals, using their own money. have employees who have been dismis- | sed from their jobs. If the Board | fails to do so in Dennis’ case, it | j will bert its reputation amongst lother employees of the City, T can't go along with Yarber on | ; the fact that he is entitled to his | vacation pay. Temporary empioy- | ment does not carry the same! | benefits as a permanent appoint: | | ment. But even im the case of per- | manent employment, vacations are | Seeman | generally granted as a reward for | work accomplished and to improve | efficiency on the job. In other} words, you might consider vaca- tions as a privilege rather than a } right. Yarber bas one strong poict. A member of the Civil Service Board | told him that they, (the Bourg), did know Yarber was hired the yeer he was working M this is the case I now why the fire can understand and police department rush around 4 3 every right to erect any kind of monument that is in good taste. | Government money, however, | conditions for these still alive. should always be used to improve For instance, if the Gold Star Mothers wish to raise a monument of stone to honor their sons, they certainly should be helped and en couraged by these in sympathy with the cause. However, tax money should not be solicited. If this latter type of money is to be used it should go into a memorial of some fenctional design. Such a | design could be aesthetic as weil as useful, Many municipalities deci- cate playgrounds, zoos, libaries. as memorials. Such things be- nor the dead and at the same belp the living. Private individ and bounds, we can rést assured that insurance rates will go up | right along with them and properly | ps | If motorists would use a little common sense and judgment and / drive more carefully, the accident | rate could be substantially reduced, | and when that happens our insur- ance rates will be reduced accord- in But it looks like folks enjoy ‘ paying higher rates and instead of | being more careful we are driving 7 faster, ignoring traffic laws and | carrying on to where anyone who | ventures out on a highway takes his life in his hands The Florida Safety Council calls 4 attention to the fact that the aver- | are entitied to do what they please of since the money they. spend is their own, abscribe to The Citizen | m Florida oc ¢an realixe tine is serous blame far this ap palling record but YOU, Mr. Mo- PA ll “UTA AAA, HTT Official U.S. Navy Photg . REAR ADMIRAL ARRON P. STORRES IL, USN (left), chats | with instructor Lt. Commander P. J. Durrell of the Royal Navy after attending a lecture at the U.S. Fleet Sonar School here. . Admiral Storres, presently Chief of Staff, Atlantic Fleet, will assume command of Carrier Division Sixteen, Norfolk, Va,* upon the completion of @-three day familiarization course at the school. Orlando Couple Are Indicted TAMPA (® — An Orlando man and his wife were indicted here on In producing 264 million tons @ coal since 1806, Missouri has up about 1 per cent of her Gleaming accent against THE NEW FALL STYLES IN ARE HERE IN A MARVELOUS ARRAY FALL 1% DRESS UP TIME, 5O COME BY TODAY! CHAS. ARONOVITZ “Steet” KEY WEST'S LARGEST sTORs