The Key West Citizen Newspaper, December 30, 1952, Page 1

Warmest City In Nation Today Was KEY WEST a VOL. LXXIII. No. 310 Navy Adds Pumping Station To Ease Key ilest Citizry THE SOUTHERNMOST NEWSPAPER IN THE U.S. A. KEY WEST, FLORIDA, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1952 Cuban Travel Tax Won't Hurt Havana, Key West Ferry Line, Officials Say C. Of C. Visitors Up 357 Per Cent This Week Final Plans Worked Out In Cuba For Start Of Service Soon The possibility that the government of Cuba may assess citizens of that coun- try a $15 tax for travel to the United States, is not ex- pected to have a detrimen- tal effect on the operation of the Key West-Havana . ferry line, informed sources said today, The tax was suggested in a decree by Cuban President Fulgencio Batista although whether or not the tax will receive final approval after it met stiff opposition in Cuba is still a matter for conjec-|out ture, However, officials of the ferry operation have indicated thet it is their belief that such a tax levy would prove to be an aid to the ferry business because of the low- er cost of sea travel when eom- pared with airline fares. the Key West ter- ine. Three members of the City Com- mission attended a meeting in Jacksonville three weeks ago at which time, details of the deal were worked out with the officials of the ferry company. Cuban authorities have that final organization of their company will be completed by January 15th st the latest. Following the naming of the officers, they are expected to (Continued On Page Three) GREETINGS! 905 Simonton St. PHONES: 2-675 — 2.4952 ISLAND LOADED WITH TOURISTS AT BEACH, BOATS, MOTELS, HOTELS The sudden influx of thousands of winter visitors to Key West is reflected in the 357 per cent in- crease in the number of callers at Chamber of Commerce officers, it was learned today. In the two weeks before Christ- mas, the Chamber was averaging only 30 visitors a day. Last Friday the jump began. The number of in-person visitors at Chamber headquarters, Jack- som Square rose to 109. On Sat- urday it was up to 135 and yes- terdey it reached 137. Visitors with cameras are all over town. Out of state licenses are numerous. Motels are hanging “No Vacancy” signs nightly. Yesterday South Beach was so crowded that cars were parked Churchill Is Set To Come gues a last minute briefing today on his coming talks with President elect Eisenhower, Responsible informants indicated ‘that the aging British leader plans to broach four major topics when he meets his friend of World War II days in New York. These are: 1. British American tacties in case Stalin makes peaceful ges- tures more convincing than his Christmas declaration of willing- ness to meet Eisenhower and seek a Korea solution. 2. Britain's desire to join the ANZUS Pacific defense pact which now ties in only Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. 3. General Far East strategy, Britain's part in it, and the im- pact on Britain and France of any new moves contemplated by the tion. 4. Implications of Eisenhower's recent flying trip to Korea and whether it opened any new ap- proach to solution of the Korean problem. Churchill plans to travel to South- ampton in @ special railway coach tonight and spend the night on the Queen Mary at the port’s ocean pier. The ship is expected to cast off tomorrow moraing. If the “Queen” makes an unde- layed voyage, he will reach New York Monday morning. lectrical Appliances & Supplies, Radios, General Hardware, etc. REFERENCES REQUIRED Phone 2-5922 for Appointment Complete Stock of Mechanic HAND TOOLS Guaranteed for Life Roy’s Key West Auto Parts Co. DIAL 2.3501 Wl OUVAL STREET along Duval Street as far back as United and on South Street to Whitehead and Simonton. Traffic has shot up accordingly. Streets that are generally quiet have reflected the influx of motor- ing tourists. Restaurants, whether on Duval Street or out at Raul’s are all doing well. Saturday night at Raul’s there was a banner crowd of diners and dancers. Bars are filled to capacity come eventide, and some of them earlier. The regular season is more than two weeks away. The post-Christ- mas rush of visitors fleeing the northern climate, however, gives a height-of-the season feeling to Key West. It’s as though Christmas Day were a signal for travelers to take off for the Keys and Key West. Charter boat business is brisk and promises to hold up, since many of the visitors head for the Hoats immediately, hop- ing for a catch worthy of pic- tures for the folks back home. Duval Street stores which did a fine Christmas business, have not had a great let down. Offsetting the usual post-Christmas morator- ium on buying by Key Westers, is the shopping done by tourists. As one visitor said to a reporter at the courthouse this morning: “That’s an awfully attractive hand bag you have. You can find such nice looking bags and shoes in Key West.” In and out the gift shops, and the clothing stores, throngs of visitors go in search of suitable outfits for Key West's climate and beach life. —~ Finally, contributing to the fill- ing up of the Island is the re- turn of the permanent winter visi- tors, the homeowners who are now settled in for the next four months or so. Their cars and their pre- sence on the beaches, in the res- taurants, and the stores, swell the Population to a size much greater than that in the months from June through September, —_== City Commission © Will Meet Today The City Commission has sche- duled a special meeting for this afternoon for the purpose of pass- ing a resolution accepting a grant of $700,158 in federal funds for the planned renovations to the Key West sewer system. The funds, which include an outright grant of $536,158 and a loan of $164,000 from the Housing and Home Finance Agency, will be used in remodelling the bad- ly antiquated and inadequate, WPA built sewer system. At a meeting last week, the city fathers accepted a grant of further funds for the two-million dollar project from the United States Public Health Service. Deadline for bids on the pro- ject has been set for February 2nd. Small Craft Warnings MIAMI (®—Small craft warnings were ordered up at 10 a. m. (EST) today on the Florida West Coast south of St. Marks to Tampa Bay. The Weather Bureau predicted increasing southeast and south winds becoming 20 to 30 miles an hour during the next 24 hours. A low pressure area near the Texas coast in conjunction with a high pressure area over the At- lantic are causing the increasing winds, the weather bureau said, Action On Kickback Charge Moves Forward “Real Threat” Academic Freedom May Suffer Says Florida U. Head GAINESVILLE #—Dr. J. Hillis Miller, president of the University of Florida, today labeled Sen. Me- Carthy’s (R.-Wis.) proposed inves- tigation of the nation’s colleges as a “real threat” to academie free- dom. The Wisconsin Republican Mon- day said one of his first acts in the new Congress will be to conduct the investigation in a search for subversive influences. Dr. Miller said: ‘‘Apparently the senator has no specific plan in mind as yet about investigating the nation’s colleges and universi- ties. Therefore any comments I make will be general rather than concrete. “Undoubtedly there are some subversive elements in all walks of life, but I doubt whether a con- gressional investigation is called for in the field of higher education more so than in any other. “Furthermore, such a proposed | investigation constitutes a real threat to academic freedom, and this freedom is one of the funda- mental principles of American democracy that must be safe- guarded.” NOTICE TO ELKS AND GUESTS NEW YEAR'S EVE DANCE AND FLOOR SHOW DANCING WILL START AT 10:00 P.M. ‘TILL “2” We Have Fun Makers for Everyone FLOOR SHOW — McConnel JACKSONVILLE (#—Action. on S. L. Kilgore’s kickback conspiracy suit against Gov. Fuller Warren and State Road Board members ha to. A hearing opened in Federal Court here. State Circuit Judge A. D. McNeill, who held hearings here Monday, called for opposing attorneys to submit briefs by Fri- day. And, in Ocala, the Marion County Grand Jury continued an investigation of the charges. Kilgore’s suit, filed in U. S. and state courts here and in Circuit Court at Ocala, charges he was fired as $12,000 a year sales man- ager of the Florida Crushed Stone Co., Ocala, for bucking a kickback deal set up by Warren. The deal, he says, was to get 10 cents a ton on crushed rock to help repay Warren’s big campaign contributors. He asks $300,000 dam- ages. Winse denounced the charges as a political smear on the part of State Rep. Thomas T. Cobb, Daytona Beach attorney who filed the suit for Kilgore. State Road Board Chairman Alfred A. McKeth- an and others joined Warren in denials. & Moore, Internationally Known Gay 90's GET TICKETS AT ELKS. CLUB 313 Duval Street Tickets Are Sold to Elks and Guests Only Music by ... GERALD PINDER ORCHESTRA LOGUN’S The governor said Cobb was sore because during the recent cam- paign for governor Cobb “‘con- eocted a screwball scheme to sad- die @ nutty network of extravagant superhighways” and that McKeth- an exposed it. Cobb managed Brailey Odham’s losing campaign for governor this year. In the hearing here “Monday, Judge McNeill denied a move to let the Federal Court proceedings be completed before those of Cir- cuit Court. The Ocala grand jury, resuming its investigation after a Christmas recess, heard two witnesses Mon- day—Clarence Camp II, who suc- ceeded his brother as president of the Crushed Stone Co., and Byron Craig, secretary of the company. The jury already has received testimony from Warren, McKethan, Kilgore and Cobb. Voluntary witnesses still to be heard are members of the Road Board; C. V. Griffin, wealthy Howey-in-the-Hills citrus man who was a huge Warren campaign con- tributor; and C. B. Treadway, head was organized as the kickback col- lecting agency. All have offered to waive immunity. RAUL’S Gala New Year’s Eve Celebration A NIGHT FULL OF FUN AT Key West’s Finest Night Club Continuous Entertainment FAVORS - NOISEMAKERS - BALLOONS DANCING — 10 P.M. - 3 AM. to the Music of Norman Kranich AND HIS ORCHESTRA LOW, LOW PRICES DRINKS — 70c & 85 NO COVER OR MINIMUM AT ANY TIME FOR RESERVATIONS — CALL 2-5251 taxpaygrs $337,500,000, Key Largo Motel Sued By Mortgagor Foreclosure Is Threatened In Cireuit Court Suit Filed Here The Saxony Motel in Key Largo is having its mortgage foreclosed by mortgagor First Federal Sav- ings and Loan Association of Mia- mi, according to a suit filed in the office of Circuit Court Clerk Earl Adams. The suit is said to be for $16,000 loaned by First Federal, plus $5,057 accrued since May and an- other $7,384 advanced to the Sax- ony for expenses, Leo Braverman is named as co- defendant in the suit. The First Federal is seeking re- lief by foreclosure of the mortgage upon the property of the motel. “To secure the debt therein re- cited,” states the lis pendens notice,” the decreeing of a sale of the said property under the direction of said Court, in default of the payment of the amount found to be due the plaintiff under said mortgage, the appointment of a receiver pendente lite, and for other and general relief.” Another suit was filed earlier this month against Dorothy Cohen, widow, and. Valmart-Miami™ Inc. It is a forecl of lien suit brought by T. J. Clarke and John Clarke under thé name of John D. Clarke: construction company. Mrs. Cohen operates an inn on Lower Matecum! ‘Names* |McCarty State Vehicle Commissioner FT. PIERCE (#—Daniel F. West- fall,, Miami, will be state motor vehicle commissioner after Gov.- elect Dan McCarty takes office Jan. 6. McCarty announced Monday he was designating him for the post which pays $7,500 a year. Westfall is administrative assist- ant to the Dade County school su- perintendent. As commissioner, he will succeed Arch Livingston, Tal- lahassee, named to the job four years ago by Gov. Warren. McCarty’s announcement said: “With the number of automo- biles and trucks on Florida’s high- ways increasing at a tremendous rate each year, it is very important that our motor vehicle department be. administered honestly and ef- ficiently.” The commissioner administers laws relative to the registration, re-registration, licensing and cer- tification of motor vehicles, includ- jing airplanes. He also issues- and cancels title certificates of motor | Vehicles. | Westfall, a native of Charleston, |W. Va., was business manager of the War Manpower Commission for | West Virginia before moving to } Florida. | McCarty became — acquainted | with him while he was supervising {principal of the St. Lucie County | Schools. He moved to Dade County j several years ago. | Westfall, 48, is married and has | eh Inte- “--s! Marine Paint | For Boats of all Types Thompson Enterprises, Inc.| HARDWARE DIVISION Caroline St. Dial 2-3132 Attention Please! KEEP OUR CITY CLEAN By Calling MR. FEINSTEIN DIAL 2.3036 We BUY all kinds of JUNK j AU Kinds of Scrap Metai Located at Simonton & Dey Sts. ti Z.. Water Shortage PRICE FIVE CENTS Long Key Booster Pump Is Ready For Use To Boost Key West Supply Relief for the anticipated water shortage in Key West during the tourist season has been provided by the United States Navy with the installation of a temporary pumping station at Long Ke y and minor modifications te the Navy owned pipeline which furnishes Key West with its water supply. The improved system, which was completed a week ago, is expected to meet the demands of Key West and the lower Keys until the completion of the Tavernier Plant 3 Day Holiday At Courthouse Begins Wed. Spottswood Takes Office Tuesday; New Jail Is Dedicated Jan. 15 The Courthouse will be closed New Year’s Day and Friday as well as the usual Saturday closing, it was learned today. There will be no session of Criminal Court Friday. Cases set for trial then are being continued until January 9. Meanwhile some officials are preparing to take office Tuesday, January 6. Chief among them is Sheriff-elect John Spottswood who moves into the office held by Sheriff Berlin Sawyer in the last 12_ years. Sheriff Sawyer is preparing now for his retirement next week. He will spend a large part of his time finishing his home at Howell Key off Summerland in* the Gulf. The. new county jail will be de- dicated by Nathan Mayo, Coni-| Oversea mi and his staff ‘will “move in the new offices located in the: jail. Red Leader Bows Out Of Truce Talk MUNSAN, Korea, —The Com- munist truce team’s “‘jack-of-all- trades” made a routine protest to- day, then bowed out of the dead- locked Korean armistice talks. North Korean Col. Chang Chun San‘ usually is cocky, but today he was crestfallen and dejected at Panmunjom, an Allied liaison offi cer reported. Chang delivered a protest alleg- ing Allied violations of the Pan- munjom neutral zone. Then he announced this was his last meeting. He is being replaced as senior liaison officer for the Communist trees + North Korean Col. Chu Yon Who Chang led a Comumunisi iva. the first face-to-face truce meeting in Kaesong on July 8, 1951, to set the stage for the initial fulliress truce session two days later. Since that date, Chang has filled almost every position on the Com- munist team. FEDERAL PAYROLL SHOWS DECLINE WASHINGTON # — In Novem- ber, for the fourth straight month, there was a declixe in the federal payroll, the Civil Service Commis- sion said today Its report covered the executive branch of the government, and did not include armed services person- nel. The commission said that dur- ing November the payroll dropped by 3,700 to a total of 2,564,300 workers. CEREBRAL PALSY BENEFIT New Year's Eve Dance La Concha Hotel Rainbow Room FLOOR SHOW DOOR PRIZES NOISEMAKERS PUBLIC INVITED From 9 P.M. ‘Tit? PRICE $1.25 - TAX INCL. OCEAN PATIO or Never A Cover Minimum COMPLETE FLOOR SHOW NEW YEAR’S EVE Featuring .. . “THE FOUR REASONS” DANCING ‘TIL DAWN FOOD -:. DRINKS «- FAVORS next May. The new pump was cut in be- tween the hours of midnight and 5:00 a, m. on the morning of Dec- ember Ist and is expected to in- crease the flow of water to the city by 20 per cent and alleviate the serious water shortage which plagued the city last year during the tourist season. Rear Admiral Irving T. Duke, Commanding officer. of the Key West Naval Base made the an- Rouncement today cf improve- ments to the Key West aque- duct and the fascinating story of reach an all-time peak Ais year. The project was remiviscent of war-time emergency > .~ ©: vee lopment. P The work was done vacer the dirsction of Commander J, C, Luppers, Base Public Works Of- ficer, who was directed by Naval officials to investigate the possi- bility of providing temporary im- provements to forestall anticipat- ed shortages of water during the winter, After an intensive engineering study, a plan was devéleped would do the job within the “Following thé: Snell. of ttie al s : Joseph B. Jackson is being held on $500 bond in county jail on a breaking and ent charge, Chief Deputy Sheriff Tommy Dix- on announced today, Jackson was arrested by special deputy Willie Gwynn on Christmas morning at 3 o'clock while he was breaking into Rogelio Gomez" agency at 121 Duval Street. The complaint states that Jackson had an intent to steal. He will be tried in Criminal —— ATTEND THE Gala New Year’s Eve Dance the | AMERICAN | LEGION HOME STOCK ISLAND | 10 P.M. *TILL 2797 | ADMISSION: $1.75 Couple | $1.00 Steg FOR RESERVED TABLES CALL 27912 LL DIAL 23233 FOR RESERVATIONS