The Key West Citizen Newspaper, June 29, 1954, Page 1

Key West, Floridc, has the most equable climate in the country, with an average range of only 14° Fahrenheit VOL. LXXV Ne. 154 KEY WEST, FLORIDA, TUESDAY, JUNE 29, 1954 IN THE U.S. A. Che Ken West Citis THE SCUTHERNMOST NEWSPAPER PRICE FIVE CENTS Commission Sets Special |\Verbal Squabbles Highlight Meeting On Ferry Offers be Action Deferred On Latest Offer |Pleas For Additional Trailers Of Ship Owners |Within City Limits Refused By JIM COBB The city commission, after ‘s one-hour debate last night, yoted to hold a special meet- ing Wednesday afternoon to take action on granting a lease for the city-owned Clyde-Mallory docks to one of three companies seeking to start Key West-Cuba car ferry service. The city fathers will meet at 1 p.m. Wednesday with a citizen’s committee ap- pointed by Mayor C. B. Har- vey to air all phases of the three proposed ferry opera- tions and immediately there- after will convene in special session to take action on the matter. City commissioner Jack Delaney moved for the special meeting after the de- bate left the situation more muddled than before. ‘The three companies in the pic- ture, are the Caribbean Ferry system, Inc., the Gulf Atlantic tion Co., and the Key West-Cuba Transit Co, Proposals Heard ‘The commission has already heard proposals from the first named firms. Local contractor Joe Sirugo, nt of the latter com- $ ‘appear before- tomor- ae fnfeeting and outline his lat- est proposal. Last night, the city commission deferred action on a lease offer for the city docks proposed by Carrib- bean Ferry Systems, a company headed by former Senator R. H. Reynolds of North Carolina pend- ing further negotiations. ‘The company told the commis- sion through city attorney J. Y. Porter that today is their dead- line for arriving at an agreement, but Porter was instructed to con- tact them today to hold the door open for further negotiations. Their proposal stated that they would agree to pay the city five thousand dollars annually for a portion of the dock with half the annual fee to be deposited with the city at the time the lease is signed. ‘They further agreed to make (Continued on Page Two) osquito Group Plan To Operate Dump Approved The Monroe County Anti-Mos-" quito Commission will take over the operation of the city dump shortly under an arrangement ap- proved last night by the city com- mission. A resolution accepting their offer provides that the state will grant the city 75 cents for every dollar they a iate to run the dump. ‘The M ito District will conduct sanitary fill operations in an ef- fort to reduce the vermin popula- tion at the dump. City Manager Victor Lang rec- ommended that the city enter into the arrangement, hailing it as a “permanent solution to our problems.” Only question to arise during dis- cussion of the measure was that the state will retain title to equip- ment purchased in the event the arrangement is terminated. But the commission voted unanimously to put it into effect. AUDITOR NAMED Orvis Kemp was named last night by the city commission to serve as city auditor ‘The appointment is for the fiscal years 1954-55. Kemp has served for some time in the position. SS Building Fir — No. 3 — Cheap - at Strunk Lumber 120 ‘Simonton, near Western Union New Polio Case Is Number 33 Key West's 33rd case of polio in 1954 was reported today by the County Health Unit. The latest victim, a 45-year- old white woman, has been tak- en to Children’s Variety Hos- pital, Miami. Both she and her husband are civilians. Up to this date in 1953, only twe cases of polio had been listed in the entire county. This year’s cases have all been in Key West, the health unit says. “Operation Holiday” Set By Road Patrol Civie Club Members May Ride With Fla. Patrol On Weekend Members of Monroe County civic clubs will ride with State Highway patrolmen in “Operation Holiday” over the 4th of July weekend, it was announced today by Florida Highway Patrol Headquarters. Key Westers are being invited to ride with State Patrolman George Bennett who covers the Keys area from Stock Island to Marathon, Bennett is taking this means of notifying civie and service clubs that they are invited to participate during the period from Friday, 6 p.m., to Monday, midnight. They may contact the sheriff's office for reservations. Only Active Members Only bonafide active members of civic clubs are authorized to ride in the patrol cars, Bennett said. It is preferred that these members be officers of their clube, and/or chairmen of safety or public wel- fare committees. The Highway Patrol assumes no liability during the three or four (Continued on Page Two) Marathon Grocer, 3 Sailors Hurt In Highway Crash Alton C. Boggess, Marathon gro- cer, is in Monroe General Hospital today with a broken right leg and multiple cuts and bruises following a highway accident which occurred yesterday on Highway 1 north of Marathon. Florida Highway Patrolman Robert G. Young said that Boggess was proceeding north on the high- way about four miles beyond Mar- athon yesterday afternoon when his car swerved across the center line and collided head-on with a south-bound vehicle. Van L. Brice, a sailor stationed at Boca Chica, was the driver of the south-bound car. His two pas- sengers, Frank J. McCollum and Thomas Lee Adkins, are also sta- tioned at Boca Chica. The three sailors were brought to the Naval Hospital where they were treated for cuts and bruises. HAVANA FIRE CHIEF KEY WEST CITIZEN Jesus Balbuena y Garrido, chief of the Havana fire department was proclaimed an honorary citizen of the City of Key West last night by the city commission. Balbuena was cited at the motion of commissioner Jack Delaney for his cooperation in planning several trips to Havana by the Key West High School band and for many other courtesies he has shown vis- itors from this city. City Planning Is Panned By Resident At Commission Meet The city commission turned down two requests last night to move trailers within the city limits, claiming that they would be in violation of the law. The first request was made by Maurice DeBoer, who asked that he be permitted to’ start a trailer court at 712 Toppino Court, an alley near Caroline Street on the waterfront. But the commission turned him down when an ordinance granting permission died for want of a second. Commissioner Jack De- laney said: “We went on record two years ago as not being in favor of anymore trailer parks— I’m going to have to oppose this.” Delaney also asked that the city commission file a complaint with Navy officials against a proposed addition of 250 trailers in~ their Salt Pond trailer camp. Attorney Speaks When attorney Robert Youmans, representing DeBoer, said that there is no law on the city’s books which prohibits the erection’ of trailer parks, commissioner Louis Carbonell averred that “the city has the power to zone trailer parks.” “That's what we are doing to- night,” Carbonell added. Youmans then claimed that the ruling was “unjust” and that his constitutional-and property rights.” He added that the property under discussion does not face on any street and is virtually worthless for any other use. Mayor C. B. Harvey said that “you can mandamus the city to force us to give him a permit if you want to.” Although city hall observers Grand Larceny Trial Today PRINCIPALS IN GRAND LARCENY TRIAL—Alonzo Cothron (left) and Brooks Bateman (right) charged with grand larceny as a result of the state's probe of the Overseas Road and Toll Bridge District, are shown as.they entered court this morning with two of their attorneys, William. V. Albury and Jack Kehoe (rear).—Citizen Staff Photo, Sybil. Juvenile Council To Seek Tax Aid-In Construction Project City Votes For Bond Cremation ‘The city commission veted last night te sanction a crema- tion. But it won't be of the usual’ type—more than a million dol- lars worth of redeemed series 1953 City Electric System bonds and their coupons will be burned. “Burned to ashes now there- were of the opinion that an ord- imance passed about two years (Continued on Page Two) Safety Council Meets Tonight Are you interested in living? Want to see Key West develop into a healthier, happier com- munity? The Key West Safety Council meets tonight at 8 o’cJuck in the JayCee Clubhouse, corner of Flagler Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard. Citizen cooperation is needed in various fields related to traffic safety, home safety, child safety, and industrial safety. “Won't you attend the meet- ing?” Council members ask. “The life you save may be your own, you know!” Delaney’s Motions Pass Unanimously Two motions proposed by city commissioner Jack Delaney were passed unanimously last night by the city commission. The first instructed the city at- torney to take all necessary legal steps to prepare for the widening of Angela Street, from Palm Ave- nue to White Street. The second motion called for | the city to waive payment for use of the lights at the Wickers Field Stadium during a three game ser- ies between the Key West All- Stars and the Circulo Cubano base- ball team of Tampa. The games will be played over the July 4 weekend. City Commission Meeting Changed The city commission meeting originally set for next Monday has been postponed until Tuesday night because the July 4 holiday falls on Sunday and is being observed a day later. The commission last night agreed to recess the session until Tuesday. q fore,” said the resolution pas- sed by the city commission authorizing the company te cre- mate $252,000 in principle bonds and $837,630.42 in cou- pons. The city will be furnished with a “cremation certificate” in triplicate. City Receives Cuban Radio Advertising Plan The city commission deferred action last night on an advertising program on a Cuban radio station which would cost $100 per month. Julio Cabanas Jr., local agent for “The Voice of Key West” a pro-; gram directed by Rafael del Vizo, also known as Siboney, said that the city would receive « daily “spot announcemerc” over Havana radio station CMOX. “Millions of dollars in tourist | trade are flying past Key West every day,” Cabanas said, ‘‘adver- tising in Cuba pays off.” Mayor C. B. Harvey, however, said that he feels it is the duty of the Chamber of Commerce and local businessmen to pay the cost of such advertising. The com- mission then referred the matter to City-Manager Victor Lang for further study. Tentative Budget Approved Mon. A tentative city budget for the 1954-55 operating year was ap- proved last night so that the city can legally operate and make dis- bursements during July. While the city commission will consider the further changes in the budget at a special meeting Thursday at 5 p. m., Finance Di- rector Craig Bowen, said that he cannot legally pay salaries or pay other bills after the current fiscal Sun’s Eclipse To Be Visible Here At Sunrise A partial eclipse of the sun will be visible in Key West when the| sun rises at 5:40 tomorrow morn- ing. Sam Goldsmith, weather bureau chief, said today that the eclipse will be visible for about 35 min-| utes, and that it will “look like a bite had been taken from the edge.of the sun.” He}warned that any one viewing the €tlipse should watch it through dark>glasses, a piece of film or sm glasses. ‘The path of totality of the eclipse | will be in Minnesota, the Great! Lakes region and Canada. | A total eclipse of the sun will be| visible in this area in 1970. 2 KEY WEST'S TRAFFIC BOX SCORE June To Date 267) | 41 Traffic Injuries __ & 50) Traffic Deaths _. 0 0, Property Damage $10,280 $69,136 ‘Tomorrow will mark the end of the first half of 1954 and Key West’s traffic situation has not shown the expected improvement. For example, during the month of May, there were a total of 41 accidents—and yes- terday’s five accidents brought the total for June up to 41. Hence, up until yesterday, we had a_good chance of better- ing the May record. In May, there was a total of $10,070 in property damage caused by traffic accidents. Al-- Teady this month, we have had $10,280 in damage. “Only bright spot in the pic- ture is the city’s record of no traffic deaths for the first six months of the year. JAP JET ENGINE TOKYO #—The first jet aircraft engine made in Japan of Japanese design and materials will be com- year ends Wednesday, unless the city commission approved some sort of a budget. “jn September by the Japan Pleted i Jet Engine Co., Kyodo News Agen- cy reported today. t Miss Bentley Tells Group Of Need For Trained Workers State senatorial nominee Will- iam Neblett and Representative Bernie C. Papy will be invited to attend the next meeting of the Juvenile Council, according to a resolution passed hy the group at their monthly meeting last night. Purpose of inviting the two men who will, in the expected course of events, represent Monroe Coun- ty in the next session of the state legislature, is to conduct a dis- cussion of possible tax millage to construct and operate a juven- ile home on Stock Island. Albert Carey, vice-president of the Council, told the group that the county will never get a juven- ile home if they have to “bake and sell cakes to obtain construction money.” “The home should be put up and operated with tax money,” Carey continued. “It is a communi- ty problem and should not have a charity standing.” Miss Ester Bentley, representa- tive of the United Defense Com- munity Services, was guest speak- er at the meeting.. She told the group that if the county and city want capable welfare workers they must offer an adequate salary. She said that a worker must not only love children but must un- derstand them. “It is not work to love children, but it is work to understand them. That is why trained welfare work- ers are just as important as a home for children,” she contin- ued. Miss Bentley added that it is very tragic that delinquent child- ren should have to be put in a jail. She inquired of Criminal Court Judge Thomas S. Caro what docu- mentation is necessary to show lawmakers the need of the home. Backing Of The People Judge Caro replied that he be- lieves that the county leaders want to be assured that the people are behind the Council’s plans for the juvenile home on Stock Island. He suggested presenting endorsements by civic organizations. Julio Cabanas told the members that since plans for construction of the home were started six months ago, much progress has been made and some funds have been raised. Juvenile Judge Eva Warner Gibson, in stressing the need for the home, said that just yesterday seven children were placed in the (Continued on Page Two) i . Juror Already Sworn In Says March Misunderstood Answer By DENI A verbal squabble over the swearing of two assistant prosecutors and a juror who said he had formed an opin- 'S SNEIGR ion about the case, highlighted the second day of the Bateman-Cothron grand larceny trial. Alonzo Cothron, Keys contractor, is charged with the theft of funds from the Overseas Road and Toll Bridge District. Brooks Bateman, former general manager of the toll district, is charged with aiding and abetting Coth- ron in the theft. Specifically, the state charges that Cothron sub- mitted false invoices, show- ing work and machinery rental that was not perform- ed or used. Bateman, the state contends, knew the in- voiees were false yet auth- orized payment. Today’s session Court before Judge Thomas S. Caro opened with John Marsh, Dade County solicitor and special prosecutor assigned by the gov- ernor to the toll district probe, asking that two assistants be sworn. The assistants were James Mc- ‘Ewen, Hillsboro County state’s at- torney, also assigned to the probe by the governor, end A. C. Dress- ler, a Marsh assistant from Dade County. Albury Objects William V. Albury, one of the defense attorneys, objected, saying that Marsh could not appoint as- sistantsin Monroe County and that his aj ‘ment as special investi- gator did not cover the appoint- ment of assistants. Judge Caro ruled in favor of Marsh and administered the oath to McEwen and Dressler. Albury took exception and asked that the records show that McEwen was acting as both as- sistant solicitor and assistant state’s attorney here and that the law does not permit that. Juror Quesion The incident of the juror who said he had formed an opinion about the case arose after the six-man jury was sworn. E. P. Tynes, Jr., a civil service employee, told the court he was not sure if Marsh had understood his answer to the question about having formed an opinion. Marsh said he understood Tynes to say he had not formed an opin- ion. Tynes said that he had formed an opinion from reading about the case in newspapers. Remains On Jury Judge Caro let Tynes and the other jurors stand as_ selected when Tynes said he would return a verdict based solely on the evi- dence presented at the trial. The other jurors are Alfred Acheson, commercial fisherman; J. S. Santa Cruz, city employe; Alfred J. Brost, civil service em- ploye; Clarence M. Roberts, plumber; and Miguel Bazo, gro- cery clerk. The jury was sworn in at 10:35 a.m. Earlier, Cothron and Bateman had stood before Judge Caro and entered not guilty pleas to each of the five counts in the informa- tion as Marsh read them. 14 Witnesses Fourteen witnesses, including nine who were sworn yesterday, were sworn today. Anthony Demeritt, former chairman of the toll district com- mission, was the first witness to take the stand but before he could testify defense counsel offered a (Continued on Page Two) City Electric Expansion OK'd. The City Electric System will have $191,416 to spend on expan- sion and improvements in Key West this year. That was the amount set up in a special fund for extension of their services under the terms of a resolution passed last night by the city commission. Merville Rosam, general manag- er of the city-owned utility, said that the expansion is “routine.” in Criminal Caraballo Brothers In Price War Jesus Edges Frank With “Rock Bottom” Towing Bid Local garage operator Jesus Caraballo was granted the city automobile towing contract last night after he under-bid his broth- er Frank, a city police sergeant. And Jesus did not take any chance on being under-bid—he agreed to handle all the city’s towing business 24 hours per at no charge to the city. Only Two Bids There were only two bids sv). mitted for thee service. “Phe commission authorized the ng and wrecker service to be put out on bids in the wake of criticism that Frank Caraballo was towing cars to his Eaton Street garage indiscriminately and in violation of the law. The Navy’s Legal office filed a suit and obtained an injunction in Circuit Court against Caraballo several weeks ago charging that he violated the law in towing away a Navy man’s car. When the bids were considered (Continued on Page Two) BONUS IS VOTED TO FORMER CHIEF Former police Chief Raymond Cabrera was voted three months Pay as a retirement bonus last night by the city commission. The city fathers voted the bonus to Cabrera, who retired two months ago, in keeping with the poliey set when Chief Joe Kemp retired FOR COMPLETE FIGHT WIGHT ENJOYMENT Fo6st Blue Ribbon BOBBY DYKES | HOLLY MIMS Monroe Beer Distributors, Inc.