The Key West Citizen Newspaper, May 27, 1954, Page 1

Key West. Florido, has the most equable climate in the country, with an ange of only 14° Fahrenheit : in eyewit Ken West Cilisen THE SOUTHERNMOST NEWSPAPER AWARDS GIVEN—President of the local Kiwanis Club, Ralph Faraldo (left), is shown with six- year perfect members Joe Bazo, Ira Albury and William V. Albury. The awards, noting the achievement of these men, were made at a dinner given in the La Concha Hotel Tues- day evening—Citiszen Photo, Arrington. Navy Counts 91 Known Dea 9 201 Injured In Ship Disaster Court Of Inquiry Named To Cheek Cause Of Trouble QUONSET POINT, Rt. w-The word “‘catapult” on up today ess, accounts of the diz. h-killed at least “and 201 yesterdagt aircraft carrier The catapult room the big bie op may come under i er the Navy Board of gi meets for the first time here today. Last October, 37 men died in an explosion on the carrier Leyte as she was being ovethauled at -Bos- ton. A Naval board of inquiry .con- cluded that the blast happened when someone accidentally ignited oil in a catapult tube. Damage Area In explaining the location of the explosions and fire which shook the Bennington while she was 75 miles offshore, her skipper, Capt. William F, Raborn Jr., of Okia- homa City, said the damaged area was below the third deck; that damage was done to the No. 1 fire Toom, the port catapult room and. the living quarters of the general service crew. Lt. (J.G.) John Wallam of Pitts- burgh, a gunnery officer aboard the Bennington, said the blast awoke him with such a start he smashed his watch on the bulk- head. “I heard a funny noise coming from the pumps that operate the catapults. They usually sound like some sort of vacuum cleaner, but now they sounded like a motor was. running hot and out of kilter—very. much louder than usual,” he said. Wallam said he heard a dull boom echo throughout the ship. When he reached the second deck, he added, the lights were out and there was heavy oil smoke every- place. Captain Explains Capt. Raborn explained: “We had just completed launching 20 jets and were. standing . by. to launch the 40 propeller planes on the deck when I spotted the puff of smoke coming from the star- board side of the flight deck. This was followed by a minor explosion, the shock of which was felt only in the forward quarters. “Then came the major explosion ‘which caused the ship to shake.” Rear Adm, Edgar Cruise, who was aboard the Bennington, his f galhs,p saiohthdichoadsnteee flagship, said he too had seen the puff of smoke and yelled over the speaker to Capt. Raborn. He said later when the Bennington had docked there was a heavy smell of aviation gasoline. Carrier Casualty Moved Away From Here In 1951 ee ag to today that Navy Lt dive, tela a Calle pensidend of time the officer from the ing Unit at vy Li hen Dead In Ship Disaster QUONSET POINT, R.I. @—The Navy announced the following were among known dead aboard the aircraft carrier Bennington: Lt. George Albert Arbogust, hus- band of Judith P. Arbogust, 2120 Harris St., Key West. Dominic Joseph Covina, husband of Thelma Margaret Covina, 6001 Lillian Hwy., Pensacola. Jesse N. Green, AQ3, husband of Frances R. Green, 1954 Garland St., Jacksonville. Lt. (j.g.) Delois Virgil Holloway, husband of Lois Marie Holloway, 3320 Pearl St., Jacksonville. Lt. Roger Raymond O'Donnell, husband of Rose Leona O’Donnell, 5108 Abel Lane, Jacksonville. Kelly Bruce Wages Jr., AB3, son of Leona Mae Wages, P.O. Box 456, Perry, Lt. (j.g.) Robert P. Inge, hus-| band of Mrs. Jane M e. $020 Hendich St Jackeesrine” Charles E. Krassy, AD3, son of Charles M. ane 320 SW 3rd St. Oakland Pari Ralph C. nie, AMC, husband of Mrs. Dorsetta Marie Smith, 530 S. 2nd St., Warrington. Sonar School To Graduate 48 Men Sat. Forty-eight Fleet Sonar School sailors, over half of whom receiv- ed marks of distinction (3.25 and The 32,000-ton carrier, a proud bearer of numerous battle honors jn World War II; was rocked by (Continued on Page Two) —— eee ALL KINDS OF WALL BOARD AT Strunk Lumber 120 Simonton, near Western Union EERE REESE above), will receive their diplomas from Capt. A. H. Dropp, Command- er Submarine Squadron 12, at 8:30 a.m. graduation exercises this Saturday, May 29, on the school drill field. Relatives and friends of men par- ticipating in the ceremonies are cordially invited to attend. This class will be the last large size Sonarman class to graduate (Continued on Page Two) Mrs, W. S. Bossert, 1823 Harris | Aveiue, spent an anxious day yes- terday waiting for word of her hus- band, W. S. Bossert, AO1, station- ed aboard the carrier Bennington. At eight-thirty last night she re- ceived a wire saying that he was injured. The Western Union had been aboard the stricken ship and survivors were allowed to send one telegram to their nearest of kin. Bossert called his wife long dis- tance from Quonset Point early this morning and said that the men had been sent ashore in small groups in order to make a phone call to their families. Phone Call Bossert told his wife, the former Grace Carrero, that when the ex- plosion occurred, he had gone im- mediately to his disaster station on the carrier’s flight deck. Prior to the time the helicopters arrived Bossert said he had help- ed care for the injured and then helped put them aboard the planes to be taken to the hospital. Mrs, Bossert first learned of the explosion on her husband’s ship yesterday morning. Her sister heard the report on the radio and called her. She called Quonset Point and talked to the security officer there. He told her that the helicopters were on their way to the Benning- ton and that they knew very little about the explosion. He told her that machinery was already being set up to notify the families of the men aboard just as soon as pos- sible, Family Notified As soon as Mrs. Bossert receiv- ed the telegram from her husband, she called his family in Hollings- wood, New Jersey, and told them the good news. Bossert’s parents told her that they had.been listening to the news reports and had not ntade any at- tempt to call Quonset after hear- ing a radio announcer ask that re- latives of the men on the Benning- ton refrain from calling and that arrangements were being made to notify the families as rapidly as possible. Mrs. Bossert is a native of Key West. She and her husband are the parents of two small boys. CITY LICENSE WAIVED FOR CONTRACTOR The city commissioners waived necessity of city license for L. Staples, contractor, who in a letter to the Mayor stated that he was only coming to the city for one job on the St. Paul's —. It was brought out that his bid was very low iu: ek etearch job. The motion w: meee i 2 at cial meeting of night. 4 & KEY WEST, FLORIDA, THURSDAY, MAY 27, 1954 Contract App Club Honors Attendance Records Made Local Civic Club Entertains Ladies At Dinner Meeting Frolic, laughter and .. awards marked a successful presentation dinner and Ladies Night at the La Concha Hotel dining room Tues- po Ra by the local Kiwanis Pe of the evening was the giving of attendance awards to members who have perfect atten- dance records. Bill Warner wore the large crown of “King” for the event. Being king entitled Bill to all sorts of privileges. Ralph Faraldo, president, re- vealed that the waitress had ask- ed him if it was all right for that man with the crown to order all those fancy foreign foods and a bottle of champagne. Ralph told her it was all right if the man had the money to pay for it. Crown Relinquished Joe Boza who was pacts been Seyhines be for the month had linquished the crown after some ds of fast shift with money and peers jer . of a hat. It was it the underprivileg- ed children were $14 dollars ahead in donations after it was settled that Bill would wear the crown. The Pebtarkise gy re donk evening was John Arm- pe ngen program armen. Entertainment was furnished by another club’s amateur fontest winners, the “Three Spots,” @ trio of local athletes, Glynn Archer, Jr., Robert and George Lastres, wat 's-pies, then: ate bread pee ees bakery and died. Other entertainment was provid- ed by Don Albin, local night club singet, yin: Presented three ea aon IN THE U.S.A. For Quick Communication, Use CLASSIFIED Ads! You'll reach buyers and sellers— tenants or workers . . , Just DIAL 2-5661 or 2-5662, Poinciana Ho Rentals Are To Be “Consistent Polio Stories Arent Always Based On Fact County Health Doctor Rehashes Situation Here By DENIS SNEIGR Don’t let polio rumors to) frighten you, Most stories you hear a- bout the disease are just that — rumors. Not that polio isn’t a dis- ease to be respected, as Dr. C. W. Morrison, county health officer, pointed out today, but the rumors are something else. Dr. Morrison rehashed the en- tire polio situation here and the only conclusion you can reach is thati the problem is not near as tough as this year’s 27 cases in- aa there have been 27 cases so far this year as compared with two up to. this e last year. But a ly ae »| various candidates: Official Tally Shows 5,819 | Voted Tuesday 60 Per Cent Of Registered Voters Cast Their Ballots A total of 5,819 persons in Tuesday’s second prim- ary, a final official tally by Sam Pinder, supervisor of registration, showed today. Pinder said this was about 60 per cent of the 10,207 registered voters in Monroe County. About 80 per cent voted in the first primary, May 4. al i a remain- der machine 5 Absentee Ballots , The official ballot count wotes for the Collins — 57; Johns — 138, in aie x by many of the inembers to ‘those 27 are BAe capable of Lape ake race. him married off. Ira, 4 ba: ~ ‘was offered the ceremony ant the license. The group sang a dollar’s worth of happy birthday songs to Kent Mack, Gene Anhier and Ira Al- bury. One dollar is donated to the underprivileged children when the club members sing a happy birth- day song in honor of a member’s birthday. The member with the birthday gives the donation. Ralph Faraldo said during the dinner that he was sorry that Bill Neblett couldn’t be present for the occasion and that at that time he was probably still running. Tues- day night was election night in which Bill Neblett was awaiting the outcome of the state Senate race. Awards Given The attendance awards were: For six years perfect attendance, (Continued on Page Two) Marines Hold Field Exercise Field exercises called, ‘Opera- tion Shadow One” involving Key. West Marines are. being held off Wisteria Island near the Naval Sta- tion starting today, Marine Corps Headquarters here has announced. During the period of simulated battle conditions, blank ammuni- tion and purotechnics will be used. The mock-battle will continue through tonight ending some time Friday. According to a Marine Hibpolax spokesman, ‘Operation One” calls for an peor Nga as- sault and defense of Wisteria Is- land. Sometime today or Friday morning, an aggressor unit will conduct amphibious reconnais- sance maneuvers and-stage a raid against the unit which originally seized the island. The Navy is lending the Marines support with the USS Gilmore fur- nishing landing craft and the Fleet All-Weather Training Unit supply- ing aerial photo reconnaissance for pre D-Day and D-Day opera- tions. The entire exercise is under the direction of Captain B. A. Adams, USMC, Marine Barracks Training Officer. A similar problem entitled “‘Op- eration Shadow Two” will be held next week. All Key West Marines will have participated at the com- pletion of the second exercise. FOR HONEST aND RELIABLE s ‘ing polio? -e em two. Those are the last two cases reported and both of those cases are in isolation in hospitals. “The infectious period is fair- ly_ short,” Dr. Morrison said. “About 21 days from the onset of active symptoms.” So it is one thing to sqy Key| West has had 27 polio cases 'this year, and another to say that only two of those cases could possibly infect others . Add to that the fact that the two cases are in hospitals, and the situation doesn’t look nearly as serious. Summary By Months Here is a summary by months of the 27 cases : January—two cases. February—one case. _ March—three cases. April—14 cases. May (to date)—seven cases. Of the seven cases reported in May, two occurred before the mass gamma globulin injections. Of the other five cases, four of them did not get GG injections. The seventh case was that of a nine-day-old infant who, Dr. Mor- rison said, probably had polio at the time of the injection. The baby was given GG but de- veloped polio the following day. GG Immunity After a gamma globulin injec- (Continued on Fage Two) the run for the state senate seat in the 24th district, Franklin got 151 of the absentee ballots and Neblett 71. Bentley drew 135 and Freeman 99 in the contest for county com- missioner in the second district. Grand Totals Here are the final. official grand totals for Monroe County, combin- ing both the machine votes and the absentee ballots: Collins — 2529 Johns — 2978 Franklin — 1797 Neblett — 3409 Bentley — 2205 Freeman — 3149 Woman Is Hurt In Motoreycle Mishap Today Nancy Smith, 508 Front Street, received a large cut over the left eye and other unknown injuries, early this morning in a motozcycie mishap on Roosevelt Boulevard and Bertha Streets. Police Lt. Joe (Buster) Cerezo said that he was on Bertha Street and heard the accident. He imme- diately called police officer Sarta- na, and together they investigated | the scene. Santana reported that the driver (Continued on Page Two) PRICE FIVE CENTS 3 With Prevailing Rents” Here The city commission last night in a special meeting approved a contract between the city of Key West and the Key West Realty and, Key West Improvement Compan- ies, concerning the transfer of Poinciana Place and West Poinciana to private ownership, The signing of the agreement ends a long-standing problem of housing since the Federal Government an- nounced that they were getting out of the housing busi- ness and that it was the intention to tear down all tem- porary housing units and return the land to the original Tension Grows In Central America Today U.S. Customs Men Ransack French Ship'For Arms PANAMA #—Tensions increased in jittery Central America today as U.S. customs inspectors at the Atlantic mouth of the Panama Canal ransacked the cargo of a French freighter-presumably . for contraband arms.’ Am agent of: the French Line at Cristobal said a search of its 8,693- ton freighter Wyoming began last night “‘in connection with the busi- ness in Guatemala.” He obviously referred to U.S. charges that left- ist Guatemala recently received a large arms shipment from behind the Iron Curtain. Guatemala is one of the Wyoming’s ports of call. The agent declared, however, “There afe no arms or contraband aboard.” He said the ship carried only general cargo. Director Edmond Lanier of the French Line said in Paris, how- ever, the Wyoming was carrying seven boxes of sporting weapons— described in the manifest as hunt- ing rifles and pistols — consigned from Antwerp, Belgium. Three of the boxes were to be unloaded at San Jose, Guatemala, and the oth- ers at La Libertad, Salvador, La- nier said. He said he did not know who sent the boxes. He did not know how many weapons were in- . (Continued on Page Two) NEW HEAD NAMED FO RWELFARE OFFICE Mrs. Mildred Shepherd, a Key West resident for 10 years, now is in charge of the State Board of Public Welfare office here. Her title is visitor in charge. Mrs. Shepherd took over the ma- nagement of the office here when Miss Eliza E. Fike, the supervi- sor, resigned. Mrs. Shepherd has been with the welfare board since {1942 with the exception of about \two years. Large Graduating Class Will Attend Investiture Ceremony Graduation activities at Key West High School will get underway at 10 o’clock Friday morning when the largest class in the history. of the school will be invested at the high school auditor- ium. There are 142 candidates in the senior class. Dr. Harold C. Campbell, princi- | *°7, pal of the high school will make Whitley will sing ‘The Lord’s Prayer” by Mallotte and deKov- en’s “The Recessional.” Class Presentation The senior sponsors will then present the class to Dr. Campbell for investiture. A highlight of the ceremony will be the presentation of the Conch flag to the junior class president, Millicent Taylor, by Glynn Arch- er, president of the graduating class. The junior and senior classes will sing “Auld Lang Syne” in uni- The program will be closed with the recessional from ‘‘Aida” by Verdi. Miss Millicent Taylor will be the panel for the entire investiture Pr Gacaiaen Plans Baccalaureate will be held on Sunday afternoon at four o’clock at,the High school auditorium. The baccalaureate sermon will be given by the Reverend James E. Statham of the Fleming Street Methodist Church. The Key Club and the Keyettes will honor the graduates at a tea immediately following the bacca- laurate exercises. Wednesday night is “Class Night.” The activities will begin at 8 »’clock at the school auditorium. The class will be the guests of the Key West Rotary Club at their annual Rotary-Senior Class lunch- eon at the La Concha Hotel, on Thursday. The senior banquet and dance will be held at the Casa Marina that night. The graduation exercises will be held on Friday, June 4 at Bay- view Park. The class valedictor- ian is Miss Sarah Bringman and the salutatorian is Miss Shelia Sweeting. The diplomas will be conferred by Horace O’Bryant, superintendent of public instruc- tion. owners. The agreement with the city states rentals shall be consistant with “prevailing rentals,” provided, that in computing said rentals “the parties of the second part (the realty companies) shall take into consideration the following increases or de- creases in assessed valua- tions, cost of operation,” etc. No Rent Control Mayor Harvey agreed that noth- ing absolute was contained in the agreement to keep the rents down. He foresaw an immediate increase in rents because the item of tax- es would immediately be raised. The land is not now assessed. The no now pays $18,000 in Heu of tax Louis Carbonell said that the city ought to give the new owners a break in the taxes to possibly keep Paul (Blondie) Roberts said that tax assessments were a matter for the tax assessor and that no fav- or should be given. He pointed out that the new owners would be the ones to benefit by any tax deal. Tax Benefits Discussed He added that if there were any benefits from tax assessments, they should be distributed to every- body. He said that he would like a reduced assessment on his pro- Perty. Harvey and Commissioner Cobo were in agreement with Rob- erts that no deal should be made. Carbonell said that he didn’t know what the meeting was called for. He thought that everything had been agreed to at the last meeting. Harvey answered that there were some thing he didn’t like and that he wanted to have the meeting to make sure that there were no more arguments. In one paragraph of the contract it was brought out by Roberts that the word “Park” had not been sub- stituted by “municipal” as had been agreed at the last meeting. The city attorney did not sa7 why he had not made the change. change. Wording Agree On Jack Delaney agreed that the wording had been changed by @- greement at the last meeting but (Continued on Page Two) Post Office To Close Monday For Holiday Most stores will be. open Monday} but the post office will be closed because of the Memorial Day holi- day which falls on Sunday this year, it was announced today. Clyde P. Stickney, acting post- master, said all windows in the Post office will be closed Monday and there will be no carrier de- livery, Mail will be collected from the street boxes and mail will be ship- ped out as usual. Mail sent to as office boxes will be distributed to the boxes. Parcel post packages will be de- livered Monday. Mrs. Kathleen Lucas, chairman of the Retail Division of the Key West Chamber of Commerce said that retail stores will be open both paral and Monday, with a few TEL. 2-3161