The Key West Citizen Newspaper, February 12, 1953, Page 1

Ay @ SOL. LXXIV. Warmest City In Nation Today Was KEY WEST 72° Features and Photo Services. For 73 Years Devoted to the Best Interests of Key West No. 37 KEY WEST, FLORIDA, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1953 PRICE FIVE CENTS Navy Rejects | All-Time High Reached In City Electric Load More Power Is Needed, If Load In KW Increases An all time peak load of 11,100 KW was reached by City Electric System in Dec-| reported to} the Utility Board meeting ember, it was late yesterday. The 11,100 KW are pro- vided by the $3,000,000 and the old Diesel plant, which atits peak reached 8,390 KW. Net firm ‘capabili after removal of the -port- able Diesel units will be only 11,765 KW. Consulting old Board y “We believe it is obvious to all hat any appreciable load growth s going to require additional gen- srating capacity.’” Damage to the blades of No. i turbine will de!ay the establish- tent of a completion date for enether raonth or so, it was brought out at the meeting. Though Beck engineers recom- rend that January 9 be consider- d the completion date for the de- rmination of liquidated damages, jard Atiorney J. Lancelot Lester suggested the 30 to 60 day wait. The huge new plant has been ~oviding power since November. ¢ No 1 will be Sal 4 i. jon this» week, . thor i fe Bacon Bey repaired for six months. Efficiency tests are complete. Re- n later. \. H. Duntoh, principal engineer m. W. Beek; who was present the meeting, stressed’ in hi rit:en report that the establish- ont of the completion date is but xe step in the termination of the otract wilh Pritchard company ch has been building the plant. cerding to the contract, January step in termination, en come efficiency , computation of final cost, en- sors’ tes and final ae- . The lait according to the meeting cers R. W. Beck a: Nlete board agreed to vney Lester's suggestion that ablishmest of the completion te of January 9. be postponed rv further study by the attorney. ‘The damage to the turbine bladés 1 be covered by the insurance ‘ieies carried jointly by City Skeetric system and Pritchard. Other matters considered by the Utility Board included the com- (Continued On Page Three: MISS DALE OGDEN is que: in n is he ir “The Ba (Mystery Fhriller Opens ght At Barn Theatre e Toni | CURTAIN OPENS AT 8:30 ON PLAYERS’ NEW PRODUCTION Are you troubled with prowlers jin your home? Do you know what |to do about them? Or, if you have {not had-the distinction of chasing a nocturnal, unbidden guest, would you like to have the experience with a vicarious thrill, and watch | someone else do the hunting? Be- ginning tonight, you ean have the satisfaction of any of these angles by going to see “The Bat,”’ which skims in on the night air this even- ing at the Barn Theatre. Adapted for the stage from the Mary Roberts Rinehart novel, “The Circular Staircase,” the mys- tery drama, “The Bat,” by the original author and Ayery Hop- wood, is the current Key West Players production directed by Bob Pollock who has no bats in his belfrey. He’s one of the most capable directors of the group. Curtain time tonight is at 8:30. Tickets are on sale at the box- office, with Lee Goddard in charge, if you haven’t purchased one at the Southernmost Drugstore on Du- val Street. Advance reports say the tickets have gone as fast as bats, so come early since, there are no reserved seats. The play will be presented«.startiiig. tonight through. February 18 including this coming Sunday. The plot is about a maiden lady named Miss Cornelia Van Gorder who lives in a house with her dizzy maid Lizzie, but finds she has un- {invited houseguests who _ prowl around and at least make life ex- citing. The thrills area not con- fined to raids in the icebox, al- though there are moments when/ the audience will: feel as-if ice- cubes had been dropped down the neck. Here’s the cast in order of ap- pearance: Lizzie. . .Gertrude Splaine Miss’ Cornelia Van Gorder. . . Emily Woolley Goddard | Billy. . Japanese butler. . Workman Brooks. . :hero, . .David Huschle Miss Dale Ogden. . .ingenue. . . Deborah Browne Doetor Wells. . Detective Anderson . ham Maylard Richard Fleming. | Splaine Reginald Beresford. Witherell (Continued O- Page Three) RL. . J. Burh- James ‘Youth Injured In Accident In Good Condition Key West High School Student Goes Under Knife At Hospital Wed. Sixteen year old Paul Braun, 912 Truman Avenue, underwent surgery yesterday at the Monroe General Hospital as a result of in- juries incurred on February 2nd, in an automobile accident} Braun’s condition today was listed ; as ‘“‘good.” Young Braun was struck by a car driven by Winston L. James, | 209-A, Poinciana, a member of the Key West Police Department. According to the accident report, James was travelling west on Flag- ler Avenue when the youth darted out into the path of James’ car to avoid a puddle, He suffered a brok- en left arm and a fractured hip. A student at the Key West High School, Braun was en-route to band practice: with a companion, Miss ‘atylin Adams" when the accident occured. James was not on duty at the time. Officials ‘at the Monroe General Hospital said that the lad would be hospitalized at least another 10- days, James, according to the report, was fully covered: by insurance. Lease Is Sought For City Property | City Attorney M. Ignatius Lester | was instructed by the city commis- sion last night to enter into nego- | tiations with Frank Wayne, opera- | tor of a local sporting goods store | |for the leasing of a tract of city owned land adjacent to the South- jernmost Rifle and Pistol club | |property on Stock Island for the | Range. | Wayne submitted sketches of the jhe intends to install at the site if | }he is given the lease. { The operation will be the only of | |the sort in Monroe County. City Assuming Electric Load Offers Counter Proposal To City Electric System A proposal that City Electric Sys- tem take over the entire Navy load of electricity was not acceptable to the Navy, it was announced at the Utility Board meeting yester- day. The recommendation for assump- tion by City Electric was made by R. W. Beck, consulting en- gineers for the system. Conferences were held with Navy representatives regarding a new power contract with the Navy. Navy loads have grown faster than their power supply, Dunton said. On October 10 the Navy asked about the possibility of working out a new contract to provide them with additional firm power. “As an approach to this _pro- blem,” said A. H. Dunton, Beck engineers, ‘‘we prepared for con- sideration a proposal that City Electric System take over the en- tire Navy load. . . .This proposal ‘was not acceptable to the Navy and they have presented a counter- proposal of their own which will be given further study.” Beck’s proposal that City Elec- tric take over would have the fol- lowing advantages Dunton wrote: “1, Integration of facilities and steam plant economies would per- mit you (City Electric). to serve the Navy at a power cost lower than their present cost. 7. “2. It would be possible: for City Flee System to earn a subs- tantiona bet pet «0% ab, least ‘3: Integration would increase the firm capacity of the Navy and City Electric Sys- tem.” ’ Brain Surgeon To Address Moncoe County Med. Men Dr. Edward W. Shannon, Cleve- land brain specialist, will ad- dress a meeting of the Monroe County Medical Society tonight at the Red Cross building of the Nav- al Hospital. Dr. Shannon, who is engaged in the private practice of neurological surgery in Cleveland, will use as his topic: “The Diagnoses and Jerry Brenner jestablishment of a Golf Driving | Treatment of Traumatic Injury of the Brain.” Presently on the staff of St. Alexis and St. John’s Hospi- . Richard | attractive and modern layout that | tal in Cleveland, Dr. Shannon was formerly associated with the Cleve- land Clinic and the Massachusett’s General Hospital in Boston. All visiting physicians and mem- bers of allied professions are cor- dially invited to attend the meeting which will get underway at 8:00 p.m, at the Naval Hospital, King Will Check Duval St. Arcade City manager Dave King was In- structed to investigate the proposed establishment of an amusement ar- cade at 535 Duval Street and report at the regular meeting of the city commission which is set for next Monday night. Tt was pointed out at last night's meeting that under the provisions of the zoning on Duval Street, such an operation is permissable but that it is the policy of the com- mission to investigate the desira- bility of such businesses. The concern would have the standard type of amusement ma- chines, it was said. HELP WANTED _ TOP PAY Short Order Cooks, Curb Girls, Waitresses, Dish Washer EXPERIENCED ONLY Choice F.H.A. Approved BUILDING LOTS in Pp EXTRA LARGE AND FILLED $2.000.00 SEVERAL WATERFRONT Lots AVAILABLE . Along 10th St. From Flagier CHARLEY TOPPINO & SONS : Reef | 887 Voters Appear To Regisier Here Only 887, voters have ap- peared at the Office of Regis- trations in the city hall to register for the November elections during the first five weeks of operation, it ‘was reported today. Deputy Supervisor of Reg- istrations Agnes Lowe urged the voting public to register early to avoid waiting in line as the date for the balloting moves closer. There will be an estimated 10,000 regis- trants this year, she said. and unless voters begin to come in they will be hard pressed to handle the jam during the summer. Mrs. Lowe also pointed out that it is necessary for all naturalized citizens must bring their papers with them when they register. Spottswood Tells Of Rape Charges “Most Rape Cases Unsubstantiated” Sheriff States Sheriff John Spottswood urged Key Westers not to be alarmed about so-called ‘rape attempts that have come to public attention in the last month. “Most of the ‘charges brought,” he said, ‘‘are unsubstantiated. Our {oka ate give out formation when the charges are not substantiated.” ge, Spettsweed told the following story. Early last Friday morning he immoned to Monroe General 1 to interview a woman who vested she had been raped on the Golf Course, Stock Island. Upon questioning, the woman said she had met the man at 5:30 that morning in a bar, had there- upon gone drinking with him at other bars, and then claimed he attacked her on the Golf Course. charged rape,’ Spotts- id. “I had reason to doubt the charge. My doubts were con- firmed when | received the wom- an‘s record. If dates back to 1939, starting with a driving while intoxicated charge, investi- gation as 2 prostitute charge, drunk, disqrderly conduct, oper- ating a motor vehicle without the owner‘s consent.” Since last Friday, when this case was finally considered solely on a drunkenness charge in Criminal Court, there have been no further cries of “rape”, according to the Sheriff. “That was the last one,” Spotts- wood said. “And to allay tension or fear in Key West, I want to stress that mast of these charges (Continued On Page Three) New Subdivision Plat Is Approved A plat for the proposed plush j|mew Coral Reef Subdivision at the northeast corner of the island was approved last night at a special | meeting of the City Commission. Developers of the new subdivi- sion, which will include swank, highpriced waterfront estates, are B. K. Kilpatrick and Phillip Top- pino. They said that the area will ‘be along Roosevelt Boulevard and will feature dock space and an in-| land waterway for small boats. No! date for the start of construction | was released. At the same time, the commis sioners OK'd a plat of land owned | by A. E. Golan in the Salt Pond | area, Golan said that the approval ; was necessary for county tax pur-/ poses. |FREE! FREE! FREE!| Public Invited to Attend the Gala | ST. VALENTINE DANCE | 1 at |FRIDAY — 9 P.M. “TIL ?} 13 FEBRUARY 1953 i | troops during Boy KWHS Band Members Return ‘From 2 Successful Concerts In Tampa's Gasparilla Event Prowler Nabbed In Cemetery Today, No Damage Reported POLICE CHECKING FINGERPRINTS OF LOCAL NAVY MAN Stepped up patrol activities in- stituted by the Key West Police Department resulted in the cap- ture of another prowler last night but officials said this morning that there is no further evidence of vandalism there. A local Navy man, Artie Donald- son of the USS Parle, was captured shortly after midnight in the ceme- tery by police officer Fernando Stirrup as he patrolled the area. Stirrup said that he was making his regular rounds when he “heard footsteps within the cemetery.” The officer hid in the shadows of the darkened graveyard when Don- aldson came sauntering along at which time he was placed under arrest. When questioned at police head- quarters, Donaldson was unable to explain why he was in the cemetery. trespa: after. dark. Police Chief Joseph this morning Ahat the of the Navy man were taken and are being checked against those found on several damaged tombstones in the cemetery. Kemp added that a check made by an officer this morning with Cemetery Sexton Reginald Russell revealed no evidence of further damage to monuments or tomb- stones there. Rewards totalling $300 have been offered to date for information leading to the conviction of the vandals who caused upwards of $38,000 in damage at the cemetery last ‘week. The city has offered a reward of $200 while Dan Navarro, local automobile dealer has posted $100 in an effort to crack the case. iff's Deputies _ obtained fingerprints from several of the overturned stones following the wanton assault. The Federal Bureau of Investi- gation said that they are powerless to send an operative here to work of the case since investigation has revealed that the USS Maine plot, is not federally owned as was be- lieved earlier. The Maine Plot was desecrated in the incident. The vandals climbed atop the 25-foot statue of the Maine sailor in the cemetery and removed a bronze oar as well as smashing a head-| stone of a Navy man who lost his | life in the Maine sinking. Law enforcement officials have indicated that their “only hope in solving the case is if someone ‘squeals’ for the reward money.” Scout Awards Will Be Made Tomorrow Night Awards earned by Boy Scout | Scout week. which is in progress this week, will | be awarded at a Court of Honor to be held 7:30 p. m. tomorrow; in the County Court house. Close to 25 merit badges will be | awarded during the ceremonies. ‘King said fingerprints Elks Club Benefit VALENTINE DANCE, FLOOR SHOW AND QUEEN OF HEARTS CONTEST SATURDAY. FEB. 14th te “sl *P Elks Club Annex Public Invited Joe Pinder cnd His Orchestra Adm. $1.00 Convent Student Awarded $1,000 In Injury Suit Francine L. Delaney, daugh- injuries she suffered last $15,000 Goal For Red Cross 1953 Drive Joe Sirugo Is Fund Chairman: Others Named The annual roll call membership drive of the Key West Chapter of the American Red Cross got under way today. Joe Sirugo, fund chairman, ai nounced this year’s goal as $15,000. It was pointed out today by Red Cross officials that annual drives over the past five year period 850 families have been assisted and 75 boats that were lost through var- ious disasters have been replaced, Advance gifts have been larger this year than ever before, Sirugo said. The first check to be re- ceived came from Mulberg Chevo- let Co., for $100. Strunk's Lumber Posts check came the next day for Dr. W. R. Robinson and wife, | Helen, who maintained a winter | home here, each mailed in a check for $50. Mrs. George Perpalll, Jr., has ac- cepted the chairmanship of the residential sections, berships More than 2 chairmen have been recruited to head up Sirugo said that the members of | ‘Continues On Page Three? } 3241; 2-2074, Play To Record Crowds At Elks And In Parade Back home from the Gas- parilla festivities in Tampa, the Key West High school band is still receiving com- pliments for its showing in the West Coast city. Leaving here 5:30 a.m. Sunday morning in two chartered buses, the 87 band members and 6 chaperones enjoyed short stop overs in Miami and Fort Myers be- fore arriving in Tampa at 5p.m. Bobby Roberts, band member, who had overslept and missed the bus was in Tampa to greet them. Bobby’s father had de- cided his son would not miss the Tampa trip. He drove Bobby to Tampa in the family car. Checking in at the Hillsborough Hotel, the band ze it: bE F i ge The former Key Wester the deportment of the band bers was excellent, Following the concert the band : gave a brief concert in the hotel lobby in honor of the hotel Management and guests. In the Gasparilla parade which Proposed 40-foot extension’ of the south end of Simonton Street will apparently bave to await the 1953-4 budget, it was learned last night when City Manager Dave King told the city commission that he has no funds ‘o finance the the estimated $3400 project. Designed | that the city’s only remaining natu. ral beach, open to the public, would be sacrificed.