The Key West Citizen Newspaper, June 10, 1954, Page 1

Key West, Floride, has ‘the most equable climate in the country, with an average range of only 14° Fahrenheit VOL. LXXV No. 138 Mystery Man’s Actions Probed In Murder Plot Suicide Of Lawyer Doesn’t Effect Case . Of Bidg. Contractor ‘Was. a go-between in what County Solicitor Clifton H i f i Ee H i 1 | fe il oF are f i i a fy i ek [ I | j | I z : g § i eres é i i i od | HG E eo BS E F E ; s i see i 5 R Fs i if betes i tisfactory expl: (Continzed on Page Five) Safety Material Given To Council Kelly has de- PHONE COMPANY OFFICIALS—New manager for So THE aac uthern Bell Telephone SOUTHERNMOST NEWSPAPER KEY WEST, FLORIDA, THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 1954 8 Company here is * D. E. Nichols, left, who is replacing W. L. Gale. Gale, right. is deing transferred to a position with the company in Atlanta. He has been mani Sybil. Nichols Named Local Southern Bell Manager Gale To Leave For Assignment In Ailanta Soon D. E. Nichols, Miami, has been named to replace W. L. Gale, as manager of the Key West office A native of St. Petersburg, the 28-year-old executive will take over rowing offices chain which encompasses nine southern states. Nichols is a veteran of Naval air service in the second world war. He is active in Masonic, Boy Scout and church activities. His wife and two children, a boy six and a girl two years old, will re- side at 2214 Seidenberg Avenue. An ardent fisherman, Nichols commented: “I’m tickled to death about coming to Key West.” Gale Upped Gale will leave shortly to as- sume his duties as General Com- mercial Training Supervisor for Southern Bell offices in nine southern states, - During. his tour in Key West, the local office enjoyed unpre- tedented growth. During the last year, two new exchanges at Key Largo and Matecumbe have been added—an increase of some 1700 telephones. Gale has been active in the Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club. He also served as president of the Key West Safety Council. Violations Of suey | blectrical Code LOAF SHORES. See E. R. SYCKS, REALTOR, on the premises. EEE Are Investigated The city building inspector’s of- fice issued a statement today that the city is investigating widespread sggaa of the city electrical ie. certain non - qualified electricians ‘have been performing electrical installa- tions without permits. Oikle pointed out that the city electrical code was brought about fairness to other people, the elec- trical wiring systems should be in- The fine for violators has been set at $200 or 60 day: a Mental Patient To Be Admitted To Chattahoochee The sheriff's office here to- day was notified that the Flor- ide State Hospital at Chatta- hoechee will accept a 19. eld mental patient whe has been held. in the county jail for more than a week. In a telephone conversation with the department, Dr. W. D. Rogers, superintendent of the hospital, said the man will be accepted Monday er any day after that. department said themen will be deliver- ed te the hespital Menday er Board Acts On ° ° Resignation The Key West Civil Service Board last night in a special meet- ing accepted the resignation of Samuel Pinder, Jr., as city tax as- sessor. The chairman of the board, Mrs. Isabel Fleming, requested that Vic- tor Lowe, city clerk, write Pinder a letter stating that the resigna- tion was accepted “with regrets.” City Manager Victor Lang told the mefnbers of the board that he had asked Pinder to reconsider but that he (Pinder) had made up his mind. Lnag also stated that under the circumstances he had accepted the resignation. 4 Lang’s action put an end to the resignation: controversy that had developed when the city commis- sioners refused to accept the re- signation at their last meeting. Craig Bowen, city finance direc- tor, said today that Miss Mary Cruz, a city clerk who had work- ed with Pinder in the county tax office, is being recalled to City Hall to help in setting up the new city tax office and in general tax roll work. When Miss Cruz moves out of the county court house, the last ties between the city and county tax rolls will have been severed. SHIPS RETURN FROM PARTICIPATION IN ANTI-SUB EXERCISES The USS Francis M: Robinson, EDE 220, and the Jack W. Wilke, EDE 800, have returned to Key West, their home port, after a six weeks’ cruise out of Norfolk. The two ships participated in the anti-submarine exercise which was held in the Bahama area. In get lea ae ov des- troyers participa’ exer- cise, the Robinson, and the Wilke were given a “well done” com- mendation by Rear Admiral Tem- ple, Commander Task Force 88. Ledr. B. G. Foold, USN, is com- Robinson. ager here for the past year—Citizen Staff Photo, Resumption Of Naval Station Tours Asked Chamber Asks Sen. Smathers To Act To Restore Plan The Key West Chamber of Com- merce has asked Sen. George Smathers (D -Fla.) to seek re- sumption of the free tours through the Naval Station, it was announc- ed today. The weekday »tours, gan last Tuesday on Department in” Washington, Through Tuesday, 5,489 . persons took advantage of the tours. Capt. Clyde Montgomery, opera- tor of the Fireball, a glass-bottom sightseeing boat, complained that the free tours were in competition with the trips of his boat, Montgomery could not be reach- ed for comment up until The Citizen’s deadline today. Laubscher Acts Harold Laubscher, manager of the Chamber of Commerce, tele- graphed and phoned Sen. Smath- ers asking that he intervene to have the tours resumed. Chamber officials met yesterday and voted to ask the senator’s help. “Resumption of bus — tours through the Naval Station is strong- ly urged by the Chamber of Com- merce,” Laubscher said. “Cancellation of the tours,” Laubscher added, “came as a sur- prise to the Chamber of Com- mérce and local Navy officials, all of whom agreed that the service was a wonderful public relations project for the Navy and the com- munity alike.” Group Protests Meanwhile, the Key West Chap- ter. of the Florida Motor Court Association voted to lodge a pro- test of its own. “Melvin Levitt, president of the Key West chapter, said the mem- bers voted “overwhelmingly” to take whatever steps are necessary to restore the service. Levitt said he had met with Chamber officials and would fol- low their suggestions in taking steps for resumed tour service. Levitt also said that his group is considering the possibility of hiring a bus and conducting its (Continued On Page Five) Thief Misses Big Haul In Hotel Robbery Here Two dollars in quarters was re- ported stolen yesterday afternoon from a room in the Trade Winds Hotel on Eaton Street. The thief in his haste had overlooked $200 dollars in cash that was under a pillow on tlie bed. Police officer E. Rogel who in- vestigated the theft stated in his report it was believed that the thief had gained entran¢e~through a door opening onto an upstairs Porch, The report continued that an in- vestigation of the immediate area did not reveal any clues to the identity of the alleged thief. * at ats New Trial Sought In Damage Suit Mansfield Asks $135,000 In Injury Of Deceased Wife Ernest R. Mansfield to- day asked for a new trial of his $135,000 damage suit against the city. His wife, the late Mrs. Moise Mansfield, according to papers in the suit on file in the office of Earl Adams, county clerk, sustain- ed severe injuries when she fell on a sidewalk on Francis Street on Feb. 27, 1951. ‘Mistrial Before The first trial, which began last Dec. 14, ended after two and a half days when the six-man jury failed to agree. Judge Aquilino Lo- pez,J rin aerC Ciuu,rdecdeotrlit Pez, Jr., in Circuit Court, declared a mistrial. In the suit, the city is charged with neglect in failing to keep the sidewalks in repair. The first trial was preceded by two hearings at which Philip Med- vin, Miami attorney representing the Mansfields, asking for a change venue. The motion was denied at both hearings. Jury Question Attorneys for the Mansfields con- tended that if the case were tried here most of the jurors would pro- bably be taxpayers. And taxpayers, the motion said, would be reluc- tant to give a true verdict since if the city were ordered to pay, the payment would be assessed a- gainst the taxpayers, The first hearing on a change of venue was before Judge George E. Holt, of Miami, who was sitting in Place of the vacationing Judge Lo- Pez. That hearing was June 19, 1953. The second hearing was Nov. 17, 1953, before Judge ‘ “ At the a Mrs. Mansfield Key West in the first trial. He was assisted by William V. Albury, En- rique Esquinaldo, Jr., and a Mia- mi attorney, Sam Carson. J. Fritz Gordon, a former circuit judge, ee ees represented the Mans- fields, Trevor Attends Rotary Club Seattle Meeting Edwin Trevor, a member Of the local Rotary Club and district gov- ernor for District 243, is in Seattle, Washington for the Rotary Inter- national Convention. Trevor’s district extends from Orlando, east to Deland and along the coast east of Lake Okeechobee to Key West. There are 22 Rotary Clubs with approximately 3,000 members in District 243. Trevor will be chairman of pan- el discussion of laundries and dry cleaners at the International con- vention. Approximately 25,000 Rotarians representing Rotary Clubs in 87 countries are attending the con- vention. Trevor flew to Seattle last Fri- day and will return next Saturday morning: KEY WEST'S TRAFFIC BOX SCORE To June Date 7 233 0 43 0 Property Damage $770.00 $59,626 No accidents have been re- ported since yesterday. As a matter of economy, if no accidents were reported a lot of public money could be saved by firing all the people who gather statistics and make Téports on accidents. Yesterday a near accident was averted when a house got in the way of a woman who was learning how to drive. Neither the house or the car were in- jured. : It’s a good thing the other party was a house. It could have been some little child. Re- member, a learner’s permit doesn’t permit you to go around running into houses or people. Take it easy. Slow drivers have time to think. 4 IN THE U.S. A. Che Ken West Citisen For Quick Communication, Use CLASSIFIED Ads! You'll reach buyers and sellers— tenants or workers .. . Just DIAL 2-5661 or 25662. PRICE FIVE CENTS Perez, Baker Named As Candidates For Police Chief’s Job Fla. Association’s Growth Is Outlined To Motel Men Another Potential ‘Casket?’ Removed The Key West Citizen gets re- sults! Monday, a story ran concern- ing the local Safety Council's efforts to remove old ice Koxes which prqvide a hazard to young children. Yesterday, W. F. Mey gerous ice box Lane. He notified Dick Hunter who immediately sent me to the location to pick up the po- tential “casket.” In the meantime, several calls have been received by other members of the Safety Council regarding dangerous hazards and these are being, taken care of as quickly as possible. Oceanview Park Skating Program panded colored recreation program will be made on Friday evening when weekly skating will be inau- gurated in Oceanview Park, Paul | He add G. Albury, City Recreation Direc- tor said. today. Music will be furnished for the skaters and it is planned to de- velop a skating program there similar to that at Bayview Park. All children with skates, ages up to 14 years, are invited to come out. The colored recreation program is sponsored jointly by the city re- creation department and the Mon- roe County Commisioners, Joe Al- len, chairman of parks and play- grounds. The county provides the play area and part of the equip- ment. The city furnished the addi- tional equipment and two play leaders or supervisors. Improvements to the area are planned by the County Commis- sioners. Additional lights are being installed at the ball field and other needed measures. The city will provide the super- vision, programs and some play equipment. Organizing of _ league baseball for boys began this week, with some 65 boys signed up and more coming. As soon as the addi- tional lights are installed, a mens softball league will be organized for night play. Albury said, “My aims and am- bitions are, that in the not too far distant future, we will have a re- creation program, for both white and colored, comparable to any city our size. We have a large num- ber of children here who are eager for it and I think it is the duty of the city and county to provide it. I don’t know of any better way to curb juvenile delinquency.” Wife-Killer Dies Tonight BALTIMORE — George Ed- ward Grammer, pudgy, impertur- able New York office manager, goes to his death on the gallows at Maryland Penitentiary tonight for the “almost perfect” murder of his wife. - Grammer was convicted of blud- geoning his attractive, 23-year-old wife to death in August 1952 and sending her body hurtling downhill in an automobile so that it would appear she died in an accident. Two county officers, who hap- pened by, almost at the instant of the wreck, found a pebble wedged under the accelerator of the auto. And Mrs. Grammer’s wounds didn’t match the condition of the car. Development Of Motor Courts In State Described The growth of the Florida Mo- tor Court Association during the past four years was outlined yes- terday by J. Pendleton Gaines, ex- ecutive vice president of the or- ganization in a talk before the Key West Chapter at their regular lun- Civil Service Board By-Passes Exam Suggestion By BILL SPILLMAN Two Key West police of- ficers were nominated by the Civil Service Board last night to fill the post of Chief of Police. ° They are Acting Police Chief Bienvenido Perez and Patrolman Harry Lee Baker. The board nominated the pair at the request of the ity commission, who at their sa meeting, asked that the ngms of three eligible per- song Ke submitted for their cons bel Fleming, chairman poard, and Mrs. Sybil Dex- both in favor of conduct- fy candidates for the job that the PFboard selected. However. the third mittee, “These bodies’ know that the Florida Court Association is the of- ‘ficial voice of one of the most im- Portant industries in the state,” Gaines said. ie industey in lovida, Gaines » Gaines includes judget led that the FMCA rep- resents the motel industry on a very low budget. The aims of any trade association, he said, are to Protect, to improve and to pro- mote the insustry it represents. “The FMCA has been instrumen- tal in lowering the insurance rates for all motels, in avoiding legisla- tion in Tallahassee’ which would have been costly to the industry and at the present time, has a good chance of bringing about the elimination of sales tax charges on certain articles which need cons- tant “replacement,” Gaines said. “Thus, the protection function is being fulfilled.” Ethical Practices -The FMCA, he continued, has helped to improve the motel in- (Continued On Page Five) Closed Sessions Set By Govivnors On Segregation RICHMOND, Va. —Governors and representatives of 15 states where schools are segregated voted to go into closed session today to consider the Supreme Court’s rul- ing that the practice is violative of the United States Constitution. Acting Governor Charley Johns of Florida objected to barring the press, and asked to be recorded as opposing the motion for a closed session made by Gov. Rob- ert Kennon of Louisiana. “We believe in putting things out on the table and letting everybody hear,” Gov. Johns said. He said that in the future meetings of the Florida pardon board would be open. Gov. Kennon’s motion was adopt- ed, however, with only the votes of the Florida delegation noted in opposition-by newsmen. Gov. Thomas B. Stanley of Vir- ginia was elected chairman of the conference on motion of Gov. James Byrnes of South Carolina. Gov. Kennon’s motion for the closed session include a clause that Carter Lowance, executive assis- tant to Gov. Stanley, remain in the session and advise the press later on actions taken. . Johns said today “complete seg- regation” will be “maintained in our public schools” as long as he is the chief executive of Florida. Johns said “we believe in social progress .’.(but) we do not believe that progress can be obtained through coercive judicial man- dates.” member of the board, Robert Val- dez, pointed out that it had been the decision of, the board to eli- minate examinations for police jobs above the rank of lieutenant. Mrs. Fleming said that she thought the rules could be waived in this instance. Mrs. Dexter ws in agreement with Mrs. Fleming that examinations should he held. - No Vote on Exams However, they did not bring the question to .a vote last night. -, Valdef then~ asked the other board members why, wheriever he mentioned Perez’ name as a can- didate, they started talking about examinations. Mrs. Dexter replied that it was he who was associating the talk of examinétions with Perez, be- cause she had not been thinking of anyone in particular when she mentioned examinations. . Mrs. Dexter said: “I want to be fair about this and make sure that any candidate we nominate has the intelligence to be chief of police.” Experience Counts Valdez replied that the rules stat- ed that any selection should be based on experience as well as general intelligence. Mrs. Fleming stated that, to her, it did not look like it made much difference who the civil service board selected because the city commissioners had already made up their minds who they wanted for the job. Valdez had earlier suggested that each member submit three names and the members could look over. all nine names and decide who the three nominees would be. This idea was changed, however, when Mrs. Dexter made a motion that each member select one name to be given to the city as a nom- inee for the job. Names Submitted The motion was p1ssed by a un- animous vote of the board and each member submitted a name. Valdez submitted Perez as his choice, while Mrs. Fleming and Mrs. Dexter both selected Harry Lee Baker. The board also took action on several requests for annual leave which had been submitted by City Manager Victor Lang. The board also agreed to Ralph Maribona, a member of the Police department, for the two days he was suspended in connec- tion with a shooting incident. A re- Port prepared by Acting Chief Pe- Tez exonerating Maribona from any blame was read to the board. Credit Union Praised Lang also told the board that the city employegs’ credit union was a wonderful thing for the city. He also lauded Miss Eve Smith, a clerk in the city finance - office. Lang said that girls of her calibre are hard to find. also said that he is plan- provide for a hospitaliza- on Page Five) MATERIALS Strunk Lumber 120 Simonton, near Western Union Fs Lang siayr