The Key West Citizen Newspaper, May 12, 1954, Page 4

Page 4 THE KeY WEaT Cisicen Wetnescey, Mey 14, 1704 The Key West Citizen ——— from The Puliiahed cally. (oxpept Sunday) from Citizen Building, corner of Only Daily Newspaper in Key West and Monroe County L. P. ARTMAN, Editor and Publisher .............0.0. 1921 - 1954 NORMAN D. ARTMAN commoner EGtOF arid Publisher E at Key West, Florida, as Second Class Matter TELEPHONES 2-5661 and 2-5662 Member of The Associated Press—The Associated Pre: entitled to use for reproduction of all news dispatches. Z or not otherwise credited in this paper, and also the local lished here. Member Associate Dailies of Florida Pelli i eM Aithesinn anima tasted, Sensi en dace haat EY Subscription (by carrier), 25¢ per week; year, $12.00; by mail, $15.60 “~~ ADVERTISING RATES MADE KNOWN ON APPLICATION The Citizen is an open forum. and invites di: i and subjects of loeal or getieral ibe arc st anonymous communications. - IMPROVEMENTS FOR KEY WEST ADVOCATED BY THE CITIZEN More Hotels and Apartments, Beach and Bathing Pavilion. Airpo. ‘Land and Se: rts—! ae Consolidation of County and City Gi ents, - Community Auditorium, pape aes UNITED ACTION IN INDO-CHINA The United States should make one point clear te all the world before agreeing to any united action plan to oppose Communism in Indo-China. That is that the French must agree to complete independence, with a dominion status if desired, for the three Associated States of Indo- China. ‘ If the French will not agree to this, and if they do not act immediately to grant such independence, then the United States has no business whatsoever in sending troops, or airmen, or any other armed forces to take part in a united action effort to save Indo-China from the Communists. It will be remembered that it has been three years now since the French first promised, under U. S. prodding, to grant independerice to the Associated States of Indo- China. Each year Congress is told the same thing—that moves are now underway which will grant independence —and each year nothing happens. The French have been using this same line since 1951, and have been obtaining increasing quantities of U. S. aid on this promise. The French, however, have not made:good on their promise, and their failure to do so is the reason for so much native support of the Communists in Indo-China. A showdown on this issue must be forced. The French must take this step, since it is the only way to obtain maximum cooperation from the natives of Indo-China, and the only way to counter both Communist propaganda and raise the morale of Vietnam troops. The United States has been put off on this point too long. If we had demanded a showdown a year or two ago, the war in Indo-China might have developed differently. If you don’t have a garden, you probably don’t, know what you're missing. Neither nation nor people are equal; but they should have free and equal opportunity. « We are now awaiting a cigarette which will not only be filtered, but have no harmful effects, Millions of youngsters can tell you exactly how many school days are left at this stage of the game. Economic aid to Europe is finally ending; it accom- plished its main purpose—an alliance of western nations. The rumblings from Chinese Communists at Geneva sound ominously like those we heard in the late thirties from now-decaying totalitarian leaders of Germany, Italy and Japan. ISIATATRIN STAT) CTE WW EICIRIVEBAIL|TIORNEIRIA| Crossword Selle al ACROSS AITBAIRIAREMIE[D/AIL EINE TWIT SI TIEIOMENIE! YIELAIR IN} wife 14. Olive genus 15. Doctrine 16. Incompe- tence 18. Kind of varnish 20. Appoint- ment 21, Mottled appearance ~in mahogany e premium 26. City in Nevada 27. Faucet DOWN 30. Determine 1. Feminine 32. Come forth name Solution of Yesterday's Puzzle 2. Angle 3. Rashness Official 5. Property 6. A wise answer 1. Seize 8. Back tooth 9. Came to rest 10. Nerve network 11. Utters 17. Expression Peculiar te a language 19. Pillage 23. The herb dill 24. Stupid abbr. is exclusively credited to it news pub- will vie ee WK: PEOPLE’S FORUM The Citizen welcomes expressions of the views of its read- ers, but the editor reserves the right to delete any items which are considered libelous or unwarranted. The writers should be fair and confine the letters to 200 words and write on one side of the paper only. Signature of the writer must accompany the letters and will be published unless requested otherwise. TOURIST’S PROTEST May 7, 1954 Mayor C. B. Harvey City Hall Key West, Florida Dear Mayor Harvey, Your correspondent. has just re- turned to New York after a va- cation in Florida. I had planned to spend several days in Key West, but I am obliged to state that I lef: with considerable: pl > and, relief at the earliest opportunity 6n Sunday, May 2, after~arriving on Saturday, May 1. The circumstances motivating such an abrupt departure were of a kind deserving of your earnest consideration, not only from a per- sonal standpoint, but from the standpoint-of the best interests of your city. It seems to me that if Key West is to win and deserve holiday visits by vacationing bus- iness people of any stature and in- tegrity, there must be a marked change in the ways in which visit- ors are treated by certain muni- cipal employees. Bleak Experience I had the bleak experience of spending my only night in Key West in your jail. If I had com- mitted some offense of conse- quence. I would be obliged to ad- mit that I had it coming to me. In the light of events as they act- ually took place, however, my at- titude is far different. In fact the entire episode was quite incredi- ble. About 1:45 a. m. or thereabouts I was peacefully walking down Duval Street alone, heading for my waterfront motel, when one of your gendarmes grabbed me and tossed me without ceremony or explanation into his patrol wagon, I was promptly bustled off to jail and put in a cell for the first time in my life. Nothing happened for more than an hour. Eventually an officer came in and asked for my name. In view of my bewilderment over what had happened, I think you will agree that it made sense for me to inquire why I was in con- finement, and what he wanted my name for. No Explanation In reply I received muttered pro- fanity and the officer’s back. It wasn’t until after 6 a. m. that I succeeded in summoning a police- man who said that the reason I was in jail was because I had been “drunk on the street.” It may be germane to point out here (a) that I have never been a drinker to excess, at least in public places, and that (b) I am recovering from three major oper- ations for cerebral hemorrhages, and excessive drinking would be a speedy way for me to kill myself, a fact of which I am well aware. In fact my Florida vacation was a health and recovery trip. But let’s give your police the break of stating that they may have thought in all sincerity that I was intoxicated. After all, you have only the word of a complete stran- ger about my health and my con- dition the night I was arrested. But even assuming the non-exis- tent fact that I had had a few too many, it remains that I was peace- ully and quietly heading for bed, vithout being noisy, violent or in «ny way offensive to a soul. I fail 2 see how I could have been an rbjective for justifiable police ac- ion, Courtesy To Tourists It seems to me that in a com- munity where so many local peoples’ businesses are dependent upon tourists and vacationists, the logical thing to do would be for the police to drive anyone to his hotel or motor court if it was felt for any reason that someone should not attempt to navigate under his own power — certainly if the in- dividual in question were not doing anything out of line. I find it especialy difficult to | understand why ! was obliged to| spend four hours in your jail with- out being told why I was there. Aside from the humiliation any self - respecting person would feel in such a position, it becomes a deyastating commentary on the mediaeval way Key West runs its Police department when human Fraternal Committee —— 2 |Knights Of Columbus To Mark Anniversary Here rights and common courtesy are so blatantly ignored. It should also be made clear that at no time even the simplest checks or tests were made to see whether I was really intoxicated or not. Nobody even talked with | me, No one suggested I might try | to walk a straight line, read com- plicated language, or attempt any other routine means of determin- ing an individual’s reaction to al- cohol. Needless to say, none of the more modern and scientifically ex- acting tests were made either. In other words, I was confined sim- ply on the basis of someone’s opin- ion, without foundation of facts. Is that the way Democracy is in- terpreted in Key West? Bond Demanded As if‘all this were not enough, I was at last told that having spent four hours in confinement,. accord- ing to law for my “offense,” I could be released if I would post a $15 bond. Although I did not have | the required amount in my pocket, I explained that if I were taken to my motel, under escort if neces- sary, I could of course produce the cash, That apparently satisfied no one. I was told that when the “‘day ser- b The Fraternal Activity Group, is | sorship of this health and life Say- obligated to develop five main ob- jectives for the Council. The chair- man of this committee selects five group chairmen to assist him car- rying out the works of these pro- jects. The sub group consist of the Personnel Acknowledgement Com- mittee which is responsible for pro- moting attendance at the council meetings and functions by person- al contacts with memhers, provide transportation when needed, and to hold special nights for, Chaplains, State Deputy, New Members, Char- tered Members, Past Grand Knights, Blood Donors, Squires, and Committee Workers, The Blood Donors Committee’ is responsible for the Council spon- geant” came on duty at 8 a. m., the matter would be referred to him for whatever action he might think fit. Consequently I continued to cool my heels for two hours more until the sergeant came a round and agreed to let me go un- der escort to pick up the money. I should add in all fairness that the sergeant was the one gentle- man I met in your police depart- ment. | So after sucu a charming night jin Key West, and after such a re- j;markable demonstration of muni- cipal hospitality, fair play, intel- ligence and courtesy, is it any wonder I left town as soon as I could pack my bags? Instead of remaining for several days and spending a reasonable amount of cationist’s needs, I gladly left for Miami after paying for motel ac- commodations which I was unable to use. Is this the way Key West tries to win friends and endorse- ments? fe Bad Publicity I might state for your informa- tion I have business and profes- sional cennections closely and di- rectly allied with travel and re- sorts. At one time not long ago I had charge of all publicity for Bermuda. You can be sure that \from now on I shall find it hard to think of kind words for your city, and if the occasion arises in which I can use influence appro- priately, Key West will not profit. What I hope this letter will ac- complish is a review of police procedures by your office or by others duly qualified and authori- zed to do so. It seems unfortunate if not disastrous for one branch |of municipal service to exercise | arbitrary~ authority with so little | tact and finesse.'The way things lare now — at least if my own experience is typical — Key West, Hitler Germany and the Iron Cur- tain countries have a great dealin common. Very truly yours, Stanton P. Nickerson 2440 Sedgwick Ave. Apt. 7-H ‘New York 68, N. Y. ‘ , m1 the hospital; s it flowers and ing servite for families, members, | cards of palnesbs clergy, nuns, and so forth. The Sick and Memorial Com- The Insurance Committee, whose | mittee reports on sick and ill mem- job it {% to fulfill the insurance jn.| bers at Council meetings, extends money locally for the usual va-{ ke dita assigned ., | Spiritual offerings, cards, letters Une ete . the Couneil| and reading matter to the sick; provide hospital equipment for members sick at home, arranges for the five masses for departed members; arranges for groups to attend wakes and funeral of mem- bers and their families. Bill Fradette is the present chairman of the Fraternal Com- mittee in the Father Dougherty Council. A minimum of twenty members is required to successful- ly carry out the duties of this come mittee. each year by the Supreme Coun. cil, Arpgnges for talks, lectures and persqnal contacts with the membggs ‘to insure that the fullest advantage’ is being derived fro; the inst ice benefit of the Onder, The Relief and Welfare Com. mittee Carries out the financial ang material aid to needy members or! their fartilies and families of de. ceased 'fimbers; institute employ. ment Vice for members; visit the sicK*iiembers at home, or in Islander Movie Is Story Of Invalid Girl, Jealous Rival Seldom ‘has a motion picture been brotfht to the screen with the terrifie emotional impact of “Invitatiow,” powerfully - moving M-G-M dtama, opening Thursday | at the Isitfhder Theatre. With Van Johnson, Dorothy Mc-| Guire, Ruth Roman and Louis Cal- hern forming its brilliant quartet of stars, “ “Invitation” tells the story of Ellen Bowker (Miss Mc-| Guire), who has been semi - inval- ided since childhood, who has ree- onciled herself to a life of spinster- hood, but who is unaware that her disease is fatal and that she is not expected to live for more than a year. However, Simon Bowker (Louis Calhern), her devoted and wealthy father, is aware of it and, determined. to give Ellen a final year of happiness, contrives a sec- ret arrangement with the persona- ble but unsuccessful young archi- tect, Dan Pierce (Van Johnson), by which he will marry Ellen, de- spite the fact that this brings about an_impassioned hatred on the part of Maud Redwick (Ruth Roman), a girl desperately in love with Dan. After almost a year of happiness, it seems that a new medical discovery might save El- len’s life and it is now that the jealous Maud makes her strike with an ingénious trick by which Ellen discovers that her husvand has been “bought.” The reaction of the shocked and horrified young wife, the steps taken by the seem- ingly contemptible Dan, and the manner in which this tragic situa- tion is ultimately resolved make for a drama-which holds the specta- tor spellbound. No little of the striking dramatic power of “Invitation” is due to the performances of its principal play- ers. Van Johnson, more often than not seen in comedy roles, now is given an opportunity to show what he can do with a straight dramatic part and rises to the occasion with a remarkably true and sensitive Performance in the difficult role of the young husband who gives every indication of being a fortune- hunter but who vindicates his character in the story’s final se- quences. Dorothy McGuire simil- arly reaches a new peak in the emotionally taut role of the di: lusioned girl, first shown as Poignant and appealing semi-in- valid, but transformed into the frenzied and hysterical wife when she discovers the appalling trick played on her. It is by far the finest Portrayal ever given by this tal- ented actress and might well put her in the running for an Academy Award. Ruth Roman is superb as the Tival whose jealousy leads her to stop at nothing in her endeavor to Tuin Ellen’s marriage, if not her life; Louis Calhern is enormously effective as the father whose well- intentioned plan boomerangs on him, and there are admirable sup- Porting performances on the part of Lisa Golm as a housekeeper, Ray Collins as the family friend and physician, and Alex Gerry as Professor Redwick, an authority on heart diseases. “Invitation” was prodaced by Lawrence Weingarten, and marks the Hollywood directorial debut of Gottfried Reinhardt, son of the famous Max Reinhardt. Based on a story by Jerome Weidman, its screen play was written by Paul Osborn. Everyone concerned with this fine film deserves plaudits. It is one of the year’s best. The tusks of an Indian elephant may be 9 feet long and weight 100 pounds each. "CAN YOU SEE, STEER, STOP SAFELY! CHECK YO! MULBERG CHEVROLET CO. to learn what Here is the sata aboot joyous motoring 1! at the wheel of @ If you're Pontiac is made ing, buoyant power ©” pe hills and highways traffic with sport ness. Youre handling great all-around performer CAR...CHECK ACCIDENTS” —SAFETY COUNCIL, Corner Caroline Street and Telegraph Lane Pontiac! erformance-™ ; Pide for you! Surs ir wings you moves you 1m And it is if your first oe Pontiac is £0 big, ninded,,” F getty as easy ie wi ary it—its owna king-size ndar the lowest 4 snewl dealt make that a certainty + ncern easy to price “ Dial 26743