The Key West Citizen Newspaper, December 22, 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. 304 Man Jailed For Murder Here Sunday Afternoon ARGUMENT OVER GAMBLING DEBT LEADS TO FATAL SLASHING HERE Roscoe Pruitt, 53, 1016 Howe Street, faces possi- -ble murder charges today as a result of a knifing in- cident Surday noon in which James Alfred Adams of the same address lost his life. Pruitt is. being held in the Monroe County jail for investigation pending the filing of formal charges in connection with the slaying. Adams died in the Naval Hospital at 5:30 p.m. Sun- day after lingering near death for several hours af- ter @ mortal stab wound had been inflicted in his stomach. ‘The slaying occurred in Shine’s Cafe, 307 Julia Street as the two men were having dinner together. “According to eye witnesses, the pair had ordered their dinner when they began to argue at which time Pruitt whipped out a switch knife and inflicted the wounds. Adams was rushed to the Naval Hospital where he was immediately placed on the serious list. The two men, who shared a room at the Howe Street address were said to have had several agruments about gambling debts in the past leading up to the fatal altercation. They were both employed by the Wright Construction Company at Boca Chica, i Following the stabbing, Pruitt was said to have fled the scene (Continued Om Page Nine’ Near Future Fleming, Simonton Street Traffic Conditions Will Be Discussed An early meeting will be called by the Governor's Safety Committee to discuss possible changes in the direction of the flow of traffic on Key West’s one way streets, W. C. “Sugar” Sweeting, chairman of the group announced today. The committee was requested: to meet and discuss the traffic situation on Simonton and Flem- ing Streets by the City Commis- sion following complaints of mer- chants in those areas that the designation as one way of their thoroughfares was hurting their businesses, The group will also discuss Possible steps to be taken to correct a dangrrous traffic situation at the ”: on Roosevelt Boulevard, which has been the scene of a large num- ber of accidents. The traffic Problems on Roosevelt Boule- vard in general will also come up for discussion. The Board will make recom- mendations to City Manager Dave King who will then con- fer with State officials to put them into effect. rs of the committee rge . Gomez, Neil Admire Santa’s Bear. CE REN NE OTN OI Er WASHINGTON.—Julie Nixon (left), 4, and her sister, Patricia, 6, daughters of Vice President-elect Richatd Nixon, admire Santa Claus’ beard as the old gentleman sits with his arms around them at a Christmas party attended by children from 52 nations. Roy Roberts, a Washington singer, played Santa, the K'W Bay Bottom Sales Sur Safety Group Key West Boom Shown In Will Meet In (¢, Qf C. Business Index Ary West Citi THE SOUTHERNMOST NEWSPAPER IN THE U.S.A. KEY WEST, FLORIDA, MONDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1952 Lawyers Fail To Get Release For Costello ATLANTA (P—A legal effort of Frank Costello's lawyers to “spring” him from prison back- fired and the New York gambler was hustled aboard a prison bus at 5:15 a. m. today, bound for a “common jail” in Milan, Mich, The attorneys alleged that the reputed kingpin of the underworld had been illegally held in the U. S. Penitentiary here and therefore was entitled to his liberty. But they lost their plea in U. S. district court when Atty. Gen. James P. McGranery ordered Cos- tello removed to a correctional institution in Milan. Government attorneys said this Place has the qualification of a “common jail,” the kind of prison which Costello’s attorneys said the law requires for his 18 - month sentence for contempt of Congress. When Costello’s attorneys pe- titioned for a habeas corpus writ, the first inference was that the underworld figure preferred a com- mon jail, perhaps in New York, to the penitentiary. But attorney Ralph Quillian of Atlanta said the Christmas Suggestions BLACK and DECKER TOOLS FULL LINE OF TOOLS FOR THE HOME USE OUR LAY-AWAY PLAN HOME APPLIANCE CO. 685 Simonton St, POOR OLD CRAIG SERVICE STATION Prancis at Truman Dial 2.9193 Your PURE OIL Dealer «. Accessories | STOCK KEY WEST SALVAGE Co. ISLAND Contractors and Builders Attention FOR SALE USED — STEEL PIPE - BEAMS - ANGLES | OF ALL SIZES We Want Junk of All Kinds OLD CARS AND TRUCKS DIAL 26141 or DIAL 2.2940 RISE IN ALL INDICES SAVE CONSTRUCTION A true indication of Key West’s growth is the more than doubling of post office receipts in the last five years, according to the Cham- ber of Commerce’s monthly publication, ‘‘Trends.”” In November 1947, $9,827 was taken in by the post office here. Last month the amount had jump- ed to $23,219. Another rise is that of passenger cars southbound from 6700 to 15,- 859. Still another index of growth is the upping of KWH electricity used from 992,719 to 2,605,326. The Chamber itself, has risen in mail inquiries from 764 to 1017 between November 1947 and last November. And in the first two weeks of December the number of inquiries was almost double that of the same two weeks last year. Some of these latter inquiries are the result of ads appearing in five northern newspapers and re- cent publicity breaks in several magazines, according to Trends, This is proving a red letter month for the C»amber in mem- bership too. The December 4 one day.drive brought in 125 new members -to the -organization. Money were $2960, The total number C of C members in Key West: good standing now is 405) Trends states, It lists the: new members of the booster. organization... President. () Wirephoto ‘Intere-*innal Marine Paint For Boats of all Types Thompson Enterprises, Inc. HARDWARE DIVISION Careline St. Dial 2-3132 We BUY all kinds cf JUNK All Kinds of Scrap Metal Located at Simonton & Dey Sts. Explains Boulevard Bay Bottom Sales / i Citizen Staff Photo SINCLAIR WELLS, Land Agent for the State, is checking bay bottom and land problems in Key West today, and tomorrow. He recommends to the Florida Internal Imprbvement Board whether to grant or deny sale of bay bottom to private indi- 70 BE CaLteD FoR |City Worker Hurt IN NEAR FUTURE ON SEWER REPAIRS As usual we are offering $10 as a trade-in on your old bike. USE OUR LAY-AWAY PLAN In Truck Mishap Rodolfo Castillo, 716 Duval Street, escaped with nothing more serious than severe contusions when he fell from a City Scavenger truck early this morning on Roosevelt Boulevard. Castillo was found by a passing motorist laying face down on the pavement and he was rushed to the Monroe General Hospital where his condition was reported as “good.” The driver of the truck, Leon Cruz, 1312 Virginia Street said that he did not discover that Castillo (Continued On Page Nine) DUVAL CLUB DANCING NIGHTLY Proudly Presents ... LOU BREDICE and His “Internationa! Trio” In Its New Room THE HUT EVERY NIGHT from 10 P.M. ’till 3 A.M. 426 GREENE STREET Next to the Western Union No Cover No Minimum DIAL 2-3253 ANNOUNCING THE 1953 WINTER SEASON POLICY CONTINUOUS ENTERTAINMENT NIGHTLY. From Sunset ‘till Dewn (8 A.M. Dinner, 4 A.M. Dawn) Jack Whitehead and His Music — Formerly at the Edison Hotel, N. Y. C. Featuring That Lovely Songstress MARY SHORT Plus Our Own Johnny Pritchard at the Baby Grand DINNERS ‘TILL MIDNIGHT. ENTERTAINMENT ‘TILL 4 A.M. CASA CAYO HUESO SUPPER CLUB TOP OF DUVAL ON THE OCEAN (3 ea pi Sinclair Wells, NS GH The Associated Press Teletype Features and Photo Services. 72 Years Devoted to the Interests of Key West PRICE FIVE CENTS oard Land Agent Declares Lack Of Waterfront Protection Here A Mystery By SUSAN McAVOY “It’s a mystery to me why there hasn’t been an up- roar about selling Key West dividuals, when your water bay bottom off to private ine view in Key West is the bige gest asset the City has,” declared Sinclair Wells, powere ful land agent of the Department of Agriculture whose recommendations are generally followed in the sale or no-sale of bay bottom. The influential, office holder since 1911 was in the County Tax Assessor’s office this morning checking on some bay bottom. His importance was corrorobated by the appearance of County Tax Col- lector Howard Wilson, County Le- gal Advisor Paul Sawyer, A. E. Golan, large landholder and others eager for a word with him. Wells said: “The Trustees of the Internal Improvement Board don’t have the right to deny the sale of bay bottom to private individuals except for statutory objection.” Those legal objections are that the sale of bay bottom would be an impediment to navigation or that it would impede public fish- eries, he said. The present sale by the IIB of two more acres of bay bottom on the Boulevard to Claude Gandolfo and Howard Wilson was made be- cause they wer¢ the sole original bidders on the boulevard bay bot- tom. When the city objected the sale was held up. The city voted three to two to remove its ob- jections two weeks ago, and the 125 foot strip of water in front of the boulevard was automatically sold to Wilson and Gandolfg, bring- ing their Boulevard bay bottom acreage to 30, The County Tax Assessor and Tax Collector $322.50 per acre for the Boul aid ard. the view is not a public use.” Earlier Wells had stated that the view of Key West is its greatest asset. The City’s request for the 300 foot of water running from Ly- man Whitaker's parcel of bay bot- tom east of Sigsbee Perk road to the land and bay bottom owned by Golan near the Stock Island Bridge will undoubtedly be turn- |ed down, Wells said several times, “But 1 don’t think any more bay bottom will be sold to pri- vate individuals from Whitaker’s parcel east to the end of the 4 north boulevard,” he said. “We have turned down about six ap- plications for bay bottom right there. On the south boulevard no bay bottom has been sold or is being applied for at present, Wells said. Julius Stone has bought bay bot- tom in front of his house on South Street, with a restriction that he cannot fill. “If the city objects to the sale to private individuals of bay bot- tom the IIB will not sell.” It has only sold bay bottom in Key West when there have been no objections, or the objections have been withdrawn as in the jease of the city and their turn- bay bottom, Wells said. Two niere(#bout on Gandolfo's' Wilson's acre. acres ‘will be pave for, (he mak Lalways retommend Kpoitbea, er county get what . bay bottom.” Wells said on the one hahd.*I think that a publie right is paramount over a private right if there is a positive demand shown by vélid objections to the sale to private individuals.” Wells said, on the other hand; however, “I don’t think the IIB will grant the city its, request for the 300 foot stretch of waterfront running along the boulevard from Sigsbee Park road to the head of the Island. There is no public view for it.” When asked if the asiet of a beautiful view for the natives and visitors of Key West is not a public use, Well said; “Just to leave water open to Ne Dr. Joseph Groom EYE SURGEON OF MIAMI Will Be In Key West Saturday, Dec. 27 at the Office of Dr. J. A. Valdes 619 DUVAL ST. For Appointment — Phone 2-782! ‘elis said that he has no way , about public Sentiment in Key Wes sale.of-bay bottom m it is relayed to hint pexsonally ssee. He had not, for examble, seen a copy of the strong recommenda- tions of the recent Grand Jury re- port urging that bay bottom be kept for the public and not.private individuals, that street ends be public and not private. He re- quested that a copy be made for him from the copy in Circuit Court Clerk Erl Adams’ office. “We certainly would be interest- ed in the Grand Jury report on bay bottom, because that is an expression of the sentiment of the county.” Wells, who has held the potent | job of land agent of the Depart- | ment of Agriculture for eight years jand has been in the department | almost 20 years, has been in poli- tics since 1911. He says that un- less he is fired, he will be in office following Governor Dan Me- |Carthy’s inauguration. The five | members of the IIB will remain | the same except for the new Gov- ernor. ‘They are the five cabinet mem- bers of the executive, The only way Key West can possibly preserve its waterfront against private sale of bay bot- tom is to express a concerted pro- | (Continued On Page Nine) JOB APPLICATIONS FOR POSITIONS at KEY WEST KENNEL CLUB WILL BE ACCEPTED TUESDAY, DEC. 23 FROM 9 A.M. at 520 SIM APPLY IN PI ‘TIL 10:30 AM. ONTON ST. ERSON ONLY