The Key West Citizen Newspaper, June 30, 1954, Page 1

Attend The Annual Meeting Of The Community Chest Tomorrow Night The Key West Citisen Key West, Florida, has the most equable climate in the country, with an average range of only 14° Fahrenheit VOL. LXXV No, 155 RETIRES SOON—City Electric System Employee Paul Mesa, ‘who is slated to retire after 48 years on the job July 16, says that hhe “is'going to look for another job.” Mesa, wn> cen the elec- tric system grow tremendously, lives at 1a. Washington Street. Citizen Staff Photo, Sybil. Paul Mesa To Retire After 48 Years Of Service July 16 — Youthful Car Nabbed Today . Boys Speak Busy Days And Nights Stealing Cars Two busy juvenile punks who + stole a car in Miami and then an- other car in Key West were in custody in Miami today, the sher- iff's office reported. * Quick work with the sheriff's de- partment’s two-way radio system here and the Miami police led to the capture. Sheriff's Report Here’s the story as related by the sheriff's office: Two boys, 14 and 16, stole a 1947 Ford from a used ear lot in Miami Monday night and drove to Key West where they hid the ear. Yesterday, the pair got a car) from Navarro’s used car lot to try it, saying they wanted to buy a ear. ‘ They took the dealer’s tag off Navarro’s 1951 Ford and put it on the ‘47 Ford and put the other license on Navarro’s ear. Busy Boys Still busy, they stopped at Stock Island filling station and pawned the spare of the ‘51 Ford for gas- oline and drove to Miami That’s when the sheriff's depart- ‘ment got busy on the radio. This morning, Miami cops picked up the pair driving Navarro’s car. Miami authorities say they have 10 couats of auto theft against the two boys, The sheriff's office here recover- @d the car stolen in Miami. MAN STABBED DURING FAMILY ARGUMENT Three knife wounds were inflict- ed on a man identified as Edward Williams, 104 Fort Street, by his wife during an argument last night, Police said today. But the report filed by Patrol- man Edward Pinder said that Wil- liams declined to press any charg- es against his wife, Willie L. Wil- liams. His injuries were listed as a ‘wound in his back and two in his arm. We Understand Building Problems at Strunk Lumber 120 Simonton, near Weather Bureau Says He'll Seck Another Job To Keep Him Busy folks retire they time loafing, fishing or iting grandchildren, % But that’s not so for Paul Mesa, 2011 Washington Avenue, who. will round out 48 years and four months of service with the City Electric Company on July 16, Mesa says that he'is going to look for another job. * “I can’t keep idle — after work- ing 48 years, you kind of get used to being busy,” Mesa said today. “You know, it’s funny how the word got around that I’m retiring,” he said, “I wasn’t exactly sure when it would be myself but-when I'd walk down the street, my friends started coming up ard ask- ing me when it was going to hap- pen.” Seen Growth ‘The 66-year-old veteran employee has seen the city’s electric system grow from 400 meters to where it now has more than 8,000 installa- tions. He went to work for the local company when it was a privately owned firm known as Stone and Webster on April 14, 1906. He had returned to Key West from New York where he was employed by a firm which installed electric al- arms in banks. After aiding in the installation of an alarm in the Island City Bank, he elected to re- main and went to work for the local electric company as a line- man. He’s been there ever since, al- though his present title is Super- intendent of Distribution. Vast Change At the time he went to work for the company, he reflected, the sys- tem was vastly different. The elec- tric company operated the city’s trolley lines and there were only about 400 meters. “We had a few sawmills then and to run their motors they had to hook into the trolley lines to get 550 volts of current,” he pointed out. The saw- mills, consequently, could operate only at the hours when the trolleys Tan. Mesa spent many a day and night working feverishly to keep the old steam and diesel generat- ing plant on Geraldine Street in operation. “When we had break- downs, we really had to work,” he says. “The city had a lot of cigar fac. tories then and the workers de- pended on the trolleys to get to work.” At one time, he added, the com- pany had their offices in La Brisa, a@ building which stood at the foot of Simonton Street where the Sun and Sand Club now is located. They had a dance pavilion on the ground floor with the offices lo- cated upstairs — a very happy ar- rangement, according to Mr. Mesa, Three hurricanes, in 1909, 1910 and 1919, furnished some memor- (Continued on Page Two) THE Cuatemala’s War Appears To Be Ended Rehel Chief Is To Meet With Head Of Military Gov't By JACK RUTLEDGE GUATEMALA ® — Guatemala’s 12-day civil war appeared at an end today, with communism and President Jacobo Arbenz Gusman the losers. Rebel chief Carlos Castillo Ar- mas and Col. Elfego Monzon, head of the current military government were expected to meet in neighbor- ing El Salvador today or tomorrow — as soon as Castillo Armas could get there — to work out details of an armistice and a new gov- ernment. Diplomats here in the Guate- malan capital believed the two — anti-Communists both — would join in still another new governing junta. The general feeling was taat Castillo Armas could dictate his own terms Red Roundup Monzon’s four-man junta, which took over in the capital before dawn yesterday, already had launched a roundup of Commu- nists. Arbenz and most of the top Reds escaped for the moment, tak- ing refuge in the Mexican Embas- sy. Many lesser leftists and fellow travelers were among the first to denounce communism and cheer, “We have won.” (The rebel’s rear headquarters said late yesterday Castillo Armas was ready to discuss truce terms but insisted on ‘assurance that the anti-Communist drive would con- tinue.) ; The Vatican’s nuncio to Guate- mala,» Msgr. Gennaro Verolino, agreed to be the%hird party at she Though-no formal cease-fire had all fighting was believed to have halted. Latest information in the capital said the rebels ‘held the State of Zacapa and Chiquimala, as well as Puerto Barrios, the country’s chief port on the Carib- bean. Resistance Collapses it was generally conceded that the army’s resistance to Castillo’s forces had collapsed. U.S. Ambassador John Peurifoy, who played a major advisory role in the rapid government shifts, de- scribed the outcome as “our first victory” against communism in the Western Hemisphere. Sleepless and haggard after the long conferences, he told news- men last night he was “greatly (Continued on Page Two) Record Flood Swirls Past Laredo Today LAREDO, Tex., (#—Laredo a- woke to business as usual—but mi- nus water supply—today with the greatest flood in Rio Grande his- tory surging past its doorstep. Across the river, Nuevo Laredo showed no sign of life. It’s on lower ground, and most of the 60,000 people there fled to the hills while water rose in the streets. Upstream 85 miles, the situation at Piedras Negras, Mexico, a mostly adobe village of 35,000 a- cross the Rio Grande from Eagle Pass was described as desperate. How many were drowned—if any—at Piedras Negras, nobody knew. The river was back in its banks there last night. 62.6 Foot Crest At Laredo the river rose to 62.6 feet today about 8 a.m. and stayed there for a while. Water was up in the streets closest to the river, but farther uptown the Mexican boys were out sweeping the sidewalks, city buses and taxis were running, and the sun was shining. A tremendous sanitary problem was building up, but Laredo hoped to have some water turned on at 10 a.m. Ten or 12 helicopters patrolled constantly up and down the river. Associated Press reporter Dave Cheavens said two spans of the steel railroad bridge Sergey washed away, the first at 2:30 a.m. and the second an hour later. The pipeline supplying Nuevo Laredo with natural gas was broken, he (Continued on Page Two) SCUTHERNMOST NEWSPAPER KEY WEST, FLORIDA, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1954 STRATEGY en ee, gether this morning. Left Total Eclipse Is Seen Early This Morning Of Midwest Has Fullest View By JOE F. KANE Associated Press Staff Writer Millions of Americans early this morning saw one of nature’s great- est spectacles of the skies—a total eclipse of the sun. Early risers in perfect weather turned out in everything from pa- jamas and dressing gowns to going-to-work clothes, Roof tops and high spots through- out the eclipse areas were crowded with persons armed with a weird assortment of eye protectors. Although the total eclipse cov- ered only a 70-mile wide strip through parts of five states as it headed for India, partial eclipses were seen in most sections of the nation except in the West. Following advance warnings about watching the eclipse with the naked eye, one St. Paul family of four watched through a base- ment window that had been com- pletely smoked. Others used welder’s helmets, strips of exposed and developed film and sun glasses. At totality, the spectacle could be viewed with the naked eye. 76 Seconds Crowds stood awed duzing the 76 seconds of totality. : Some portions of the eclipse could be seen only by scientists and others using powerful tele- scopes. One of the scientists who watched the celestial show from a plane 20,000 feet over the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul reported the sun belched a fiery flash spectrum just before totality was reached. Hotel lobbies in Minneapolis and St. Paul, in the total eclipse strip, were alive with activity long before the solar drama began at 4:27 a.m. (CST). Chartered buses and streams of cars carried spectators to vantage points. Some groups ghartered planes. A definite shadow path was visi- ble from planes and observers said a pink hue lit the horizon on both sides of the totality strip “Most Beautiful” Dr. Donald Menzel, director of the Harvard Observatory, was one of those watching from a plane over Minneapolis. He described the eclipse as “the most beautiful” of (Continued on Page Two) IN THE U.S. A. attorneys in the Bateman-Cothron it are John Marsh, James McEwen, A: mans. Marsh and McEwen were appointed by the governor to investigate the toll district. Safety | ‘ouncil Gets New Lease On Life With New Meeting Site Red Cross Man Speaks To |Kiwanians Leslie Ray Tells Of Front Line Red Cross Work “A consecrated Red Cross work- er must have a little of God in him,” Leslie M. Ray told mem- bers of the local Kiwanis Club at their weekly meeting last night in the La Concha Hotel. Ray, a Red Cross field director at the Naval Station, told of many experiences encountered in Korea where he recently served as a Red Cross representative with the armed forces. Father John Armfield, program | director, in introducing the guest} speaker, said that he was prob-| ably one of the foremost authori- ties on front line Red Cross work because of his experience. Arm- field pointed out that Ray had been wounded twice while carry- ing out his official duties. Right To Front “Red Cross dollars go to the front lines,” Ray said. “They go right to the fox holes.” He added that he was not speaking to raise money but he did wish people would give till it hurts when it comes to the Red Cross money drives, Ray said that he nemembered one incident of-a night when everyone thought that they would soon die because the enemy was closing around them. He said he saw strong men break down. “If I had had a sense of fear during that time, I would probably not be a sane man today.”" “During one evacuation, I saw a pile of Christmas mail as big as the La Concha hotel burned to keep the enemy from getting it,” Ray sai& “For Christmas (Continued on je Two) CLASSIC BALLET PRINCESS NINA Arthur Murray’s - Air Conditioned Studio 517 DUVAL ST. PHONE 2-3430 & 14 Civic Leaders Tackle Accident Prevention Problems By BILL GiBB Two weeks ago, the Key West Safety Council appeared to be in the final stages of collapse. Last night, by the simple exped- ient of changing its meeting place, the Council blossomed out once more into a healthy, vigorous or- ganization. Dedicated to accident preven- | tion, members of the group tackled many local problems and set up machinery by which these hazards could be eliminated. The meeting was conducted in an informal man- ner. Fourteen civic leaders were present. Slogan Contest M. E. Stutz, Key West Flooring Co., and Norman Markwell, Casa Blanca Motel, were named to fol- low up on safety slogan contest suggested by Louis Monroe, of Couture Car Rentals. Monroe, at a meeting two weeks ago, offered to put up a $25 bond las a prize to the individual sub- mitting the best traffic slogan. The Safety Council committee will seek to determine if any other busi- ness concerns in Key West would like to cooperate by offering priz- es in this contest — either as a second or third prize or perhaps for the best slogan in some other field of safety such as homes, schools, and industrial work. It is expected to be able to an- nounce complete plans for this |project after the next Council | meeting scheduled for July 13. | Bicycle Safety Norman Berg, Navy civil ser- | vice employee, and Mrs. Dorothy | Daniels, of the B and B Cycle | Shop, were named as a committee jto study bicycle safety programs | being used successfully in other (sis One of Key West’s traffic | hazards is caused by careless bi- | eycle and scooter riders. It is ex- | pected to have this plan ready for |operation at the beginning of the | school year. At that time, stu- dents will be asked to participate in the Council’s work. In order to attempt to prevent any tragic accident from happen- ing before the*major project can be undertaken, however, Mrs. Dan- iels and Berg have also been di- rected to return feasitle suggest- ions at the next meeting that can (Continuea on Page Two) A reach For Quick Use GLASSITIED Adel Yoru buyers and sellers— tenants or workers . . Just DIAL 2-5661 of 2-5662, PRICE FIVE CENTS Judge Tells Marsh State’s Evidence Is Vague Case Is In Hands Of Jury jury. and uncertain.” Annual Meet Of Community Chest Is Set Are Asked To Attend Thursday Meeting Every contributor to the Com- munity Chest of Key West, Inc., is a member of the organization, according to its charter. Every member of the Chest, and every interested citizen of Key West is invited and urged to attend the annual meeting of the Community Chest of Key West, Inc., at & o’clock tomorrow eve- ning, in the Monroe County Court House. Among the important matters to be considered are the adoption of by-laws as reported by the sub- committee of the Board of Direc- tors, William R. Neblett and J. J. Trevor; election of the board of Directors for 1954-55; report of treasurer J. J. Trevor, and gen- eral plans for the campaign for 1955 funds. Goal Is Passed For the current year the chest, in a United Campaign with the American Red Cross, last year raised approximately $36,000 of its goal of more than $50,000. b Member agencies of the Chest included the American Heart Asso- ciation, Key West Committee; Boy outs of America, Monroe Dis- trict; Children’s Home Society of Florida, Southeast Division; Com- munity Servicemen’s Center; Girl Scouts of USA, Monroe County Council. Jayteen Center, Key West Junior Chamber of Commerce; Key West Catholic Community Service Cen- (Continued on Page Two) Social Agencies Council To Hear Neblett Tomorrow William R. Neblett will speak at the monthly luncheon meeting of the Key West Council of Social Agencies at the NCCS Club, 1021 Duval Street, tomorrow noon, Mrs. Eileen Coughlin, program chair- man, announced this morning. Neblett, a member of the Board of Directors and last year’s cam- paign chairman of the Community Chest of Key West, Inc. will talk on the relationship of the social agencies to the Community Chest. Officers of the Council are Rich- ard E. Evans (USO-YMCA Club); Miss Eileen Merritt (Wesley House); Mrs. Joan Dalton (Monroe County Health Unit); and Miss Ester Bentley (United Community Defense Services), All members of the Council are cordially invited to attend and those of the communit~ vho are interested will be welcomed. After Morning’s Session By DENIS SNEIGR Judge Thomas S. Caro was the star of today’s court room drama as the Bateman-Cothron case went to the To the court room observers, it seemed as if the judge were asking the prosecution to re-open its case after the judge said the proof was “so vague, indefinite But the prosecution did not re-open the case. John Marsh, Dade County solicitor and special prose- cutor, rested the state’s case about 5 p. m. yesterday. In the grand larceny in- formation, the state charges that Alonzo Cothron, con- tractor, submitted false in- voices, and that Brooks Bate- man, former general manag- er of the toll district, ap- proved the false invoices, knowing the bills overcharg- ed the district. , , When. ¢riminal ebutt opened at 9:45 a.m. today; Jack Kehoe, one of the defense attorneys, offered a motion to require the state to which of ‘the’ five counts in information the state was to prove, ehoe told the court that some had said one dragline used and others had ssid used. added that pinpointed He told the court each invoice shows two draglines, two bulldoz- ers, six trucks, one air compressor and two men were used for 10 hours a day, six days a week. “The testimony shows,” he con- tinued, “that one dragline, one bulldozer, no more than five trucks, one compressor and two men were used for nine hours » (Continued on Page Two) .KEY WEST'S TRAFFIC BOX SCOR To Date Accidents __.__ 4 267 Traffic Injuries __ 7 30 Traffic Deaths __ e & Property Damage $10,280 $69,138 Careless driving is costly. Can you afford it? That statement has real meaning for Key Westers in the light of the city’s accident Tate. Today marks the end of the’ first. half of 1954 and property damage in traffic accidents a- mounts to $69,136 — or 76 per cent of the total for 1953. Traffic experts say that the upsurge in accidents here may have a direct bearing on auto- mobile insurance rates in the future. In other words, the more accidents we have, the more claims the insurance men will have to pay off and the higher your premium rate. Remember: You can’t oper- ate a car in heaven, hell or the hospital. June Power Lawnmowers FOR RENT BY THE HOUR OR DAY POINCIANA SERVICE STATION Commercial Rew, Poinciana Place TELEPHONE 24268