The Key West Citizen Newspaper, December 23, 1952, Page 1

Key West, Florida, has the most equable climate in the country, with an average sange of only 14° Fahrenheit VOL, LXXIII, No. 305 " Millionaire” Check Passer Pleads Kemp Asks Caution On Eve Of Holiday THE SOUTHERNMOST NEWSPAPER IN THE U.S.A. KEY WEST, FLORIDA, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1952 Guilty At Arraignment Here Monday Innocen?’ Cohorts Will Probably Be Freed Soon, Smith Faces 10 Yr. Term By JIM COBB William James Smith, Jr.,° 21, of Los Angeles, erstwhile “millionaire heir” to the Fletcher’s Castoria fortune, who turned out to be one of the smoothest bad check artists in the business, pleaded guilty to a charge of interstate transportation of — stolen property when he was ar- raigned before United States Commissioner Wil- liam V. Albury yesterday afternoon, The plea paved the way for his return to Hartford, Connecticut to face prosecution on charges that may send him to jail for ten years. Smith was arrested here on the tip of an alert reporter at the end of a trail of some 85 bad checks which have reportedly netfed him upwards of $5000 in several states, Canada and Hawaii. His three “innocent” compan- ions who claim that they had no inkling of the illegal activities that Smith was engaged in, will St is bank teller, Diane Lin- Sec oc taemet Angeles waitress who had posed as Smith’s wife on the cross-country he was the son of a wealthy New England family. are being held In the Se mee renee © tee Hi led officer are re- aie oer ignorance of Smith’s penchant for ssing phony checks. mo cited the fact that when posure charge, Smith had _intro- duced himself as ‘Gordon Fletch- er, heir to the Fletcher’s Castoria fortune.” At the same time he had point- ed out Lo Piccolo as “Vincent Dole of the Dole Pineaple family.” Police theorize that if Lo Piccolo had not been aware -that some- (Continued on Page Eight) Don’t Spend Dec. 24 in the Kitchen GET YOUR DESSERTS AT PEREZ BAKERY Swen Fruit CLOSED ALL DAY XMAS AER Yule Safety Dance Tonight JayCee Youth Safety Club mem- bers will dance tonight at the club- house in a Christmas celebration. Safety awards for the past six months will be presented to win- ners, Officers with the best safety records will be appointed and an- nounced tonight, Marvin J. Wilder, Florida Highway Patrolman said today. The “Salty Six” a Naval base combo will play for the dancing which begins at 7 p. m. This con- ccordion, eleetrie °)...9 President’s Ball ° Chairman Named |* For the second consecutive year, Jim Keen has been selected to |"? head the committee arranging the President’s Birthday Ball for the benefit of the March of Dimes Po- lio Fund, The annual dance, the high point in the Key West social season, will be held on January 20 at the Big Winter Season Forecast Despite Present Xmas Dip CHAMBER SAYS RETAIL BUSINESS UP; HOTEL, MOTEL DOWN THIS MONTH ‘The winter tourist season is get- ting off to a little slower start this year than last, the Key West Chamber of Commerce said today. Although many retail firms along Duval Street and elsewhere on the island say the Christmas volume is slightly up over last year, a good many hotels, motels and restaurants claim their business is December, Chamber figures indi- cate that visitors in their office totaled. 458. Last year during the same three weeks 500 called for ‘tion. In 1950 the total was 1949 there were 546 three week period. $ mentioned in previous Cham- ge however, indications January, February and pe tiorr be the best yet. Mail Christmas eve is the traditional time for office and shop parties and today Police Chief Joseph Kemp cautioned Key Westers, who may partake of a little too much in the way of liquid re- freneness tomorrow afternoor iP who may feel a “little under the weather” should call 2-3011 and a police car will be veansianees to take them home. By taking advantage of Kemp's offer, as they have in past years, ) Key Westers who have spent a little too much time around the Wassail Bowl may avert pro- perty damage and possible loss of life through traffic accidents. In addition, the fine safety re- cord for holiday seasons in Key West will not be marred. Future POW Uprisings To Be Prevented State Dept. Says Steps Are Being Taken To Assure No More Revolt WASHINGTON (#—The State De- partment says appropriate steps have been taken to prevent a pris- oner of war uprising like the one at Koje Island, which the Inter- national Red Cross Commintee. has nd | criticized. je Se The department made ee terday its five-montlis-old eorre- spondence on the subject, seized by the Communists as a propa gal ie ~ Interhational Red on De : Warren Says Charges Are Villful Lies Begun Into Charge Of Kickbacks JACKSONVILLE w—S. L. Kil- gore’s kickback conspiracy charge involving Gov. Fuller Warren and other state officials was termed a “willful, malicious and deliberate Tie” by the governor in an answer filed here. Kilgore sued Warren and around a dozen others for $300,000 because he said his opposition to the al- leged conspiracy cost him his $12,- 000-a year job with the Florida Crushed Stone Co., Ocala. ‘The suits were filed in Circuit Court here and at Ocala and in Federal Court here. An investigation of the charges has been started by a Marion Coun- ty Grand Jury. Gov. Warren, State Road Chairman Alfred A. McKeth- an, Kilgore and Kilgore’s attorney, State Rep. Thomas T. Cobb, Day- tona Beach, have appeared before | P-™. the: body, now in recess over the Christmas holidays. Warren’s answer followed lines of denials he had already made public. Denials of any conspiracy were also contained in answers filed by Clarence Camp Ill and B. M. Craig, former trustees of Construc- tion Equipment Co., and Florida Crushed Stone Co. Warren denies in his answer that he “‘ever gave any. directions to the State Road, Department that (Continued. of Page, Eight). set : “PRE: Associated Press Teletype Features and Photo Services, ‘Commissioners, Spott (On Need Of Sheriff's Department 21 Families, Firms Enter JayCee Xmas Lighting Contest JUDGING NIGHTLY 7 TO 9:30 P.M. UNTIL JAN. 2 More than 20 private and com- mercial structures have entered the Sixth Annual JayCee Christ- mas Lighting contest, it was an- nounced today. Largest number of entries, elev- en, are in the yard and residence Category No. 1. Secord latgest is in the Window Lighting and Small displays group, and third is the commercial category consisting of four entries. Entries had to have their forms in by last Saturday. Entries must have their displays lighted between the hours of 7 and 9:30 p.m. every night through January 2. Photographs will be taken of all entries. No additions, alterations or deletions shall be made. Entries are subject to judg- ment from now until January 2. Judging started last night at 7 The Christmas Lighting Contest committee of the JayCees will judge the winners. Entries will be checked for eye appeal, conform- ity with the Christmas spirit, ori- ginality, effective use of surround- ings and artistic arrangement. The decisions of the judges will be final. All ties will be resolved on the final night of judgement. Results of the contest will be published in The Key West Citizen on January 2. $150 for first Prizes range sisi nit jes “and~ ment in the com: dis+ firms have entered the contest: =| Category | — Yard and Residence Peter T, Knight, 1207 Watson; Mario Viera, Jr., 645 United; Mrs. Eulalie Jones, 717 White St.; ‘| George Saunders, 1025 Elgin St.; *| 2320 Harris Ave.; 101 Maine Road, Chino Hernandez, Gerald H. Adams, 2919 Staples Ave.; Dan Schoneck, 1314 Whalton; Mrs. Put- nam, 4-2 Poinciana; E. H. .Walk- er, Bayside Trailer Court, Greene (Continued on Page Eight) W. Hermenau, Sigsbee Park; Electricians Exams i|Set For January 4 Examinations for Journeyman’s and Master’s Electricians licenses will be held in the City Hall on January 6, City at 7:30 p. m., City Electrical Inspector Alex Lub- ‘linsky has announced. Deadline for application for the examination is January 4, he add- ed. The tests are open to all elec- tricians with over five years of «|experience in the electrical field. Citizen Staff Photo THIS PICTURE WAS TAKEN AT THE LOCAL POST OFFICE at an hour of the day when business is usually at a standstill. Santa's helpers work overtime to see that the mail goes through and crowds like this will probably be served at the Post Office until ‘the last package is stamped on Christmas Eve, Attention Please! KEEP OUR CITY CLEAN By Calling MR. FEINSTEIN Dr. Joseph Groom Elks Club BOGL SEAL Paint for Trailer Tops Thompson Enterprises, Inc: HARDWARE DIVISION Caroline St. Dial 2.3132 We Will Be Closed Dec. 25th and 26th Bond Is Set For Slayer Of Friend Here Coroner’s Jury Views Body Of Victim Monday No formal charges have been filed against Roscoe Pruitt, 1016 Howe Street in connection with the slaying of James Alfred Adams, of the same address on Sunday afternoon. Pruitt is being held in Mon- roe County Jail on $5,000 bond although Coroner Roy Hamlin said that the filing of charges will await the report of an autopsy conducted yesterday by Doctor C. T. Bratenahi of the Naval Hospital. Hamlin convened a Coroner’s Jury Monday to view the body and establish the identity of the dead man. The jury was recessed and will meet shortly to receive the autopsy report and conduct further inves- tigation. Meanwhile, investigation has revealed that the wound, which at first was not thought to be serious, might not have been the > actual cause of death, Pruitt and pote were said to have been ote stabbing Sool place in’ the (Continued on Page Eight) Key West Aircraft Aid Plane Search Key West based Naval aircraft from the Boca Chica Naval Air Station have “secured” their search for a missing C-46 cargo plane which was reported missing while en-route from Caracas, Ven- ezuela to Miami. Planes from the Air-Sea Rescue Unit under the command of Cap- tain A. E. Buckley participated in the search which was centered about 50 miles south of Miami. The Key West based planes en- tered the extensive search at the request of Coast Guard officials. The commercial cargo plane, piloted by T. P. Kane of Miami with Alexandra Andara of Caracas as co-pilot, was heard from about 50 miles southeast of Miami early ‘Sunday. EL PASAJE RESTAURANT 1005 Truman WE WILL SERVE THE TRADITIONAL SPANISH & AMERICAN DINNER CHRISTMAS EVE and CHRISTMAS $1.50 Greetings To All Bids Awarded On Patrol Cars, 2-Way Radios, Marathon Truck Monroe County Com- missioners and Sheriff-elect John Spottswood met yes- terday to discuss the agen- da, nine-tenths of which was devoted to Spotts- wood’s requests for equip- ment for the new. Sheriff’s department and the new jail. Spottswood broke precedent by sitting right at the Commissioners” table, going over every bid with them. Other high officials such as the State Representative, Tax Col- lector and Assesor generally sit outside the rail separating public from law makers, The Commissioners, on Spotts- wood’s recommendations, award- ed the contract for the four two way radios to second lowest bid- der, Motorola. This company bid $185.94 more than low bidder General Electric on the two way radios. Spottswood explained ‘that ‘Mo- torola installs the majority of two ways radios in the state and the nation. The company is recommended for such equipment by the Miami and other metropolitan law en- forcement agencies. Contract to Motorola was $3,547.94. Spottswood Pointed out that Motorola had eom- plied completely with all specifi- ciations in the bidding. Two patrol cars bids were award- od Ainpricun La Sroattet lot tae der on the Marathon fire truck, at $9,775. The long awaited dedication of the new jail which has been com- pleted by contractor M. E. Ben- nett for six months, will take nowy ¥ Hat 4p. m., Commissioners. missioner of Agri Mayo will be “— at that time, Caucus of the reelected Commission will take. place at lunch on January 6, Commissioner Saunders suggested, " Following approval of bonds for Deputy Sherjff Emma Cates, Jer- ry LaBrada, jailer and Jack C. Baker, county service officer, the (Continued on Page Eight) ELE hen te te A Christmas Suggestions BLACK and DECKER TOOLS FULL LINE OF TOOLS FOR THE HOME USE OUR LAY-AWAY PLAN HOME APPLIANCE CO., INC. 605 Simonton St. Dial 2.3621 een Complete Stock of Mechanic HAND TOOLS Cuaranteed for Life 's Key West “Auto Parts Co. DIAL 2.35601 121 DUVAL STREET THE FLAME RESTAURANT 04 TRUMAN AVE. Good Eating for a Merry Christmas % CHRISTMAS DINNER STUFFED ROAST TURKEY Giblet Gravy - Cranberry Sauce —__-_____ 8145 8AKED VIRGINIA HAM — Pruit Sauce 145 PRIME RIBS OF BEEF AU JUS one: 105 CHOICE OF TWO VEGETABLES. Mashed Potatoes French Fries Whole Kernel Corn Candied Yams Baby Lima Beans Green Peas DIAL 2.3036 We BUY all kinds of JUNK All Kinds of Scrap Metal EYE SURGEON OF MIAMI ceed Kinds ot § Ci be er Ve Kas Eve Dance at the Office of DUVAL CLUB vx. 3. a. Valdes WESTERN AUTO ASSOCIATE STORE DEC. M, ELKS ANNEX 10 TLL 1 AM. | GREETINGS! Music by Gerald Pinder’s Orch, | | LOU BREDICE | = | ne CAFETERIA ——— - DAIRY QUEEN aed Sc qi. EGGNOG MIX 45c pt. oe THE HUT EVERY NIGHT | .In Addition to All fc HAVE PLE cms aaeedas FOR pees mel Our Excellent Food from 10 P.M. "till 3 4.M. YOUR DAIRY QUEEN 995 Simonton St. 426 GREENE STREET CORNER OF WHITE & UNITED $T5. Phones 2.0675 — 24952 2.9631 PHONE 619 DUVAL ST. A Clean Used Car DANCING NIGHTLY casiabiiaaie i 72 As a Christmas Gift = Presents ... ae men For the Whole Family Today's Special 1949 FORD V-8 Custom $51.15 Per Mo. V8 Months Chet Salad Bowl Hot Biseuits and Honey HOT MINCE PIE, Rum Sauce _..__.__. We PUMPKIN PIE. Whipped Cream _._.__..__. We KEY LIME PIE a te We Monroe Motors, Inc. Ford - Lincoln - Mercury PHONE 2.5631 Next to the Western Union No Minimum DIAL 2.9253