The Key West Citizen Newspaper, June 3, 1954, Page 1

VOL. Lxxv fe 132 NEW CITIZENS—The United States of America has 34 pie citizens after naturalization cere- monies’ yesterday in the Federal Court Room in the Post Office building. The citizenship oath ‘was spoken in Spanish as well as English for the benefit of those who could not speak English. A portion of the group is shown above, shortly after the official ceremonies—Citizen Staff Photo, Sybil, iia ‘Key Wes THE Pinder Plans To Quit As City Tax Assessor Tells Lang He Is “Just Tirea” |Rev. Rogers Is Named Nat'l Chaplain Of Organization Of City Job By BILL SPILLMAN City Tax Assessor Sam ij) Pinder, Jn, tota (ity Manag- er Victor Lang today ‘0 “look for another man.” Pinder said, “I’m just tired of it.” There has been consider- able discussion about the tax assessments in the city where land is allegedly assessed as swamp land with low assess- ment but the same land is for sale at fabulous prices, according to one city com- missioner, It has: been reported-in the past that the city tax assessor works hand in hand with the eounty tax assessor., The city rolls and. the county tax rolls are usually in agreement for all assessments. Controversy had arisen when City Commissioner Paul (Blondie) Roberts asked Lang to call a special meeting of the city com- missioners on Wednesday to- ‘look over” the tax rolls before the equalization board meets on Mon- day, June 7. Meeting Delayed Lang later in the day announced that Sam Pinder; Jr., , informed hjm that the tax rolls: had not been totaled up and that the meet- ing would be delayed a day until the totals could be completed. Some sources reported that it was illegal for the commissioners to look over the ‘rolls until the equalization board met. Z City Attorney J. Y. Porter said that he hadn’t made any ruling on the matter. He did say that he had an informal discussion with Lang on the subject this morning. r Porter stated that city commis- sioners could call a meeting at any time they wanted and could discuss anything they wanted to discuss. He added that the tax Tecords were public documents and certainly they could look at them if they wanted to. Later Meeting Necessary Tt was pointed out that the com- Missioners could not look at the Tecords in the capacity of an equalization board until Monday. r C. B. Harvey had said ly that the commissioners could meet anytime they wanted to and discuss anything they wish- ed to discuss. tax controversy stems from @ certain large section of land that was sold a few years ago to realty companies for a reported $200,000. “A portion of this land was Tesold to Monroe County for $150,000 as the Meacham Field airport. Portions of the nemain- der of the land are reported to (Continued on Fage Two) Is Slated For Four-Day Run Civic Groups Slate Gala Fiesta To Be Held uly 2 To 5 Eight Marathon civic organiza- tions have joined forces to form the Marathon Community Fair As- sociation for the purpose of pre- senting a four-day and night com: munity fair and fiesta on the show- grounds in front of the Marathon Chamber of Commerce Building on the days of July 2, 3, 4 and 5. Scores of exhibits will be pre- sented under huge circus tents a- long with star stage attractions, circus acts, style show, amateur talent contests, a popularity con- test and other events, Parades with gala floats and blaring brass bands, fireworks pro- ductions, boat races, fishing tour- naments, a large midway of rides, shows and novelty attractions, field contests for young and old ate some of the thrilling attrac- tions outside . the big exhibition tents. Dances will be held Friday and Saturday nights in the Cham- ber of Commerce building. Contest Announced The popularity contest is open to any girl living in Monroe Coun- ty from the age of fourteen up, married or single. Girls wishing to enter the con- test may apply for instructions and tickets from members of the Ma- rathon Fire Department, Ameri- can Legion or Auxiliary, Chamb- er of Commerce, Marathon Yacht Club, Lions Club, Ambulance Corp or Little Theatre Group. Girls will earn votes through the sale of tickets. First prize award is $25 in cash with other » lavish gifts, second award is $15 in cash and third award is $10. Votes will be considered and counted on the number of tickets sold through each contestant and not by writ- ing names on tickets, Special Features Professional stage and circus at- tractions are being booked through Burton E. Van Deursen Produc- tions of Miami. Style shows are be- ing produced and directed by Mrs. Troupe of the Elizabeth Mclver (Continued on Page Two) Save Labor, Money— Buy Good Materials ‘ Strunk Lumber 120 Simonton Street, near Bank Nat'l Sojourners .. Pass Resolutions * Hitting UN Action “~~ ‘The Rev. Ralph Rogers has just returned from a two weeks trip north where he attended the con- vention of the National So; in Chicago and the North Conference of the Methodist Church of which he is a member, which met in Kokomo, Indiana. Rev. Rogers was elected nation- al chaplain of the former group. The National Sojourners is a Ma- sonic groups of officers, past and present, of the uniformed forces of the United States government. Some 600 delegates and their wives were in attendance at the Morrison Hotel where they began their convention by attending Don MeNeill’s TV Breakast Club. While the National Officers and the Committee of 33 held their an- nual meeting, all other delegates spent the first day sight-seeing spending most of the day as guests ot Col, Christopher Van Deventer in the Museum of Science and In- dustry and in the Oriental Insti- tute at the University of Chicago. Election of Officers _The last two days of the conven- tion were devoted to business and on the last day to the election of officers, . Major Albert Houghton, a prom- inent dentist on the Loop was elect- ed president and Col. Dallas Knoll ed 1st vice president. The Rev. Ralph Rogers was elected Nation- al Chaplain for the year. Among the many resolutions Passed by this patriotic group was one opposing the admission of Red China to the UN and condemning “excessive grants of national wealth” to for- eign nations. They also opposed the adoption of any “treaty, convention or agreement on human rights,” UN Declaration Rapped This last declared that the UN universal declaration of human rights “includes matter socialistic in character and repugnant to our way of life.” The National Sojourners favors a (Continued on Page Two) County Tax Sale Netted $15,766 Tax certificates on a total of 410 parcels of Monroe County real es- tate were sold during the annual tax sale in the county court house Tuesday, it was reported by Tax Collector Howard Wilson.— Total value of the certificates was $15,766.20, he reported. Wilson added that the average amount of interest bid was about eight per cent. The certificates must be redeemed by delinquent tax payers within two years. SOUTHERNMOST NEWSPAPER KEY WEST, FLORIDA, THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 1954 Probe Set On Defects In Project Analysis Ordered On Construction Of George Allen Apts. The local board of the | met last night with members ||of the Atlanta office of the -|Public Housing Authority and discussed preliminary moves toward a possible law suit against the contractor who built. George Allen Public Housing = Apartments on First Street and Roosevelt Boulevard. The law suit is being discussed after certain structural failures have allegedly occurred in the PHA project. The geenral contractor who built the units was identified as Joseph G. Moretti Inc. of Miami. Moretti is reported to have been a mem- ber of the Miami Public Housing Authority at the time that he had the contract to construct the George Allen Apartments. Cement Te Be Checked The deterioration of certain sec- tions of cement slabs will be an- alyzed by petent engineering analysis to 1 if inferior cement was used. By -d to IN THE nf ig For Gu: Comm: a}x PS OB, Use CLASSIFIED Ads! Yul reach tenants or workers buyers and - + Just DIAL 2-5661 or 2-5662. PRICE FIVE CENTS Navy Wife Perishes In Keys Auto Crash — Manslaughter Charge Filed Class Of 54 Has “Chance To Talk” At Class Night Event Spottswood Urges Highway Caution Sheriff John Spottswood today issued a@ warning te Monroe County motorists to exercise special caution when driving ov- er the portion of the Overse Highway that is now undergoing repairs. The Sheriff urged special care in the wake of two fatal accidents in the area in little more than a week, The section under repair stretches from Boca Chica north te Perky Key. “These sad accidents serve as a grim reminder of the need for safe driving practices in the area under construction,” — Sheriff Spottswood said. He added that the speed limit in the area is 10 miles-per-hour. Local Safety Problems Are that in the building spe- cifications had been used, not rust. Another alleged failure ment was brought out ing and believed to be construction steel used wi rust clear at the time it was. used. Oxidation Explained Murphy pointed out that if the steel was not clean the oxidation would continue after the cement was poured and the resulting ex- pansion would cause cracks to ap- pear in the cement. It was pointed out at the meet- ing that no one there was making any accusations until proper engi- neering studys and analyses could be made, Fred Donham, Chief of the Le- gal Department of the Atlanta of- fice, said that it would be well worth spending $3,000 for compe- tent engineering studies of the fail- ures even if the suit were lost. He added that $3,000 was not much of a gamble considering the suit may be for $100,000. Ceiling Trouble After some discussion on the failures, William Albury stated that none of this explains why the steel is popping out of the ceiling On the question of the cement slabs falling apart, John West, PHA Field engineer from Atlanta, stated that there might be some argument as to the 4-inch slab that was poured according to specifi- cations. He stated that when the cons- truction steel supporting the slab and the conduit pipe were put on top of each other and poured, it didn’t leave too much room for ce- ment when the slab was only four inches. Repairs Planned During the meeting it was brought out that “Collier Clark Company” was doing repairs on one building to determine what cost might be to repair all of the faulty units. $20,000 is the maximum amount that to be spent in repairing the units. The first one will be a gui- nea pig. The Clark Company is using a relatively new method of cement repairing called ‘“‘gunite method.” The cement under this method is forced into shape under pressure and is run through a hose. Murphy asked at the meeting, “who is responsible?” It was ex- plained that all the arthitect could only complain during the construc- tion of buildings if construction was not up to specification. The local Housing Authority is the one to stop construction, it was pointed out. Members of The Key West Sa- "|fety Council met last night a¢ City Hail. Bill Gale, ed the meeting discussions which) touc.ca on all Phases of local safety problems. Speaking of the past year of op- eration, Gale said: “We have a lot to be!proud of but there have also been many times when the Coun- cil failed to function as it should have. “Key, Westers are more consc- ious of safety now than they were a year\ago. They can be made pela 8 this body.’ area conduct- West Citizen for the excell eration: the newspaper had given in all mat- ters pertaining to publicity. I¢ was pointed out that the only hope for making Key Wi Mt a really safe town to live in Wis by attracting Public attention dangerous sit- uations. “The lo per has faith- fully aided us o score,” Gale told the group. Awards, Honors Are Announced At KWHS Exereises By SUE JONES The 1954 graduating: class of Key West High Schodl had its “chance to talk’ ’at the annual “Class Night” exercises ‘held last night at the high school audi- torium. Class president, Glynn Archer, Jr., who was master of cetemon- ies, said that “for the pastiweek we have been hearing many good speakers, and tonight we are go- ing to do’ the talking.” Young Archer also said thatbe- fore reading the Class Prong he wanted to pay tribute to the parents of the - graduati class members for their intere: help, and support, and that ‘ long as we have parents ‘we'll never walk alone’.” Amusing Features The audience was amused at some of the prophecies, especial ly when the writer found his old school mates starring in a movie entitled “Above the Six-Mile Shoals,” and when they learned |that C. B. Harvey, Jr, was the may or design,-but highly = 2 to the audience, this: involved. a lot of changes with the mike. “Angles” Disclosed The audience gathered that graduating class was anxious the present Junior Class to lear... fall the angles on getting along with the faculty. They willed all the necessary techniques for ~),. wing. and class-cutting—v. .i..0u0 paying the consequences—to the incoming seniors, as well as a vast fund of information to the presidents, secretaries, and treasurers of the various schoel organizations. They also willed their scholas- Itic and athletic abilities to “needy” underclassmen, and a “Southern accent to any Yankee who wished to reform.” Awards Presented Dr. Harold ‘C. Campbell, prin- cipal of the high school, made the presentation of awards to the graduates. Mr. Campbell said that the honored students had worked hard to receive these honors and that it was evidence that their hard wo é loyalty had not gone unnotir* | by the faculty. He then saked the parents “for sending cur children to school” and ied that the fac- ulty was not anmindful of the sacrifices maue by many parents in doing this. Dr. Campbell asked ir; |all the parents of the graduating September, Gibb™ other meeting for “Handicapped funds,” Gibb e: to take advan tunities offered cerns to secure work. This meang operate on a times ed months in fit in with the of other Safety be using the s: rial for safety we have to edule prepar- te in order to of hundreds ils which will terial we will Vest.” J. J. Kirs St., spoke briefl traffic safety. An er, he illustrated | folks needed to roup im, 416 White the group on Bhusiastic golf- point that intly work at ng” just as Jays seek new their game ” land Cates, Jr., gene and Myrt- words to s: the Safety Counelinetn men vol (Continued age Twr) class to stand. The parents were ; | applauded by the audience. Generosity Lauded Before the actual presentation of awards, Dr. Gemphell said that (Continued *4 Page Two) Coast Gniard Goes To Aid $:nking (Shrimper Today The Coast Gustd was called out today to aid a sinking shrimp boat 45 miles northwest of Key West and at noon they reported the situation under control. Coast Guard officials said that they received the call from the crew of the Creker Boy shortly after 8 o’clock and that their 83-foot rescue vessel reached the scene shortly after noon and reported that the shrimper is out of danger. The stricken vessel had earlier radioed that they were taking wa- ter around the main shaft and th-: fee See could pump A Coast Guard plane also aided in the rescue operation. Against Death-Car Driver By JIM COBB Peace Justice Roy Hamlin said today that he will issue a warrant charging manslaughter against the driver of a car in which a 20-year-old Navy wife met instant death early today when it overturned on Saddle Bunch Key, about 15 miles north of Key West. Gale Upped To New Post In Atlanta Local Telephone Co. Manager To Be Transferred W. L. Gale, manager of the Key The Sheriff's Department said that Sheila A. Perrens, a resident of Miller’s Trailer Park, Stock Is- land, died instantly when the car she was riding in apparently went out of control. The accident occurred shortly af- ter midnight on the section of the Overseas *Highway presently torn up for repairs. Speed limit there is 10-miles per hour. Driver Slightly Hurt Driver of the car, identified as Ray E. Drake, a seaman attached to the Seaplane Base here, escap- ed serious injury, but Mrs. Per- rens was pinned beneath the wreckage of the late model con- West office of the Southern Bell | vertible, owned by her husband. Telephone Company has been ‘transferred to a post in Atlanta, Georgia, it was announced today. Gale, yho assumed his present duties in April, 1953, promoted to the post of Genétal Commercial Training Supervisor, a position which will make him responsible for training of officé. personnel W. L. GALE year has seen two new exchanges added at Key Largo and Mate- cumbe. A total of 1700 new install- ations have been added under his direction. Active Civic Worker Gale has been’ extremely active in civic and community pro- jects and clubwork during his stay in Key West. He is serving as president of the Key West Safety Council, and is a member of the board of directors of the Chamber of Commerce, and the Red Cross, { a member of the Key West Rotary Club and a member of the Mon- roe County Council, Boy Scouts of America. « “I don’t think I'll ever have a better job than the one I have had in Key West — the people, the climate and working conditions are as perfect as they can be,” Gale (Continued on P2ze Two) Cireuit Court Verdict Given A six-man circuit court jury brought in a verdict Wednesday in favor of Sam Anderson, Ramrod Key, in a suit to foreclose on a note amounting to $6,600 against Allen E. Perez of Key West after a day-long trial. But the jury failed to award any damages to Anderson. The case was filed after Perez allegedly defaulted on a note giv- en for the purchase of construction equipment. Attorney W. Curry Harris repre- sented the plaintiff, while William ¥. Albury and Enrique Esquinaldo, Jr., represented the defendant Cause of her death was listed as multiple chest injuries. She was pronounced dead shortly after the accident by Navy physician sum- moned to the scene. Drake is in the Navy Hospital suffering from abrasions and shock. The accident occurred when the pair were returning to Key West after having dinner in Marathon. The Sheriff's Department report said that the car was apparently traveling at a high rate of speed when it-veered to the left side of the. “road, then swerved’ back, striking a telephone pole and over- turning. Pinned Under Car Sheriff's Deputies, who reached the scene shortly after the mis- hap, said that Mrs. Perrens was still pinned beneath the wreckage. Peace Justice Hamlin said that the basis for the manslaughter charge would probably be “speed- ing and reckless driving in a 10- mile-per-hour zone.” Hamlin said that marks on the road indicated that the vehicle skidded about 200 feet before it overturned. The victim’s husband, George E. Perrens, is en-route to Key West today from Norfolk where he is stationed about the submarine, USS Thornback. The Perrens have one child, a three-year-old daugh- ter, Coleen. The body was taken to the Pritch- ard Funeral Home. Second Phase Of Marine Maneuvers Begins Today “Operation Shadow Two,” the second phase of local Marine Corps field exercises, will be held start- ing today off Wisteria Island near the Naval Station. Blank ammunition and pyrotech- nics will again be used during the simulated battle conditions. The mock-battle will continue through- out tonight ending sometime tomor- Tow. Marine Barracks Training Offi- cer, Captain B. A. Adams, USMC, is coordinating the entire exercise. At the completion of “Operation Shadow Two,” all Key West Mar- ines will have participated in the | field problems, MINIMUM COFFEE PRICE UP IN BRAZIL RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil ~— Brazil has boosted the minimum price for this summer’s coffee crop from 68 to 87 cents a pound. The hike will have little current effect on foreign buyers, now paying 88 cents a pound for the bean, but it promises little likelihood of prices declining for at least another year. Announcing Opening of JOHNNIE’S PLACE 320 GRINNELL STREET 7:00 P.M., Friday, June 4, 1954 JOHN AND ESTHER (Former Owners of Johnnie’s Fine Food)