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

Key West, Florida, has the most equable climate in the country, with on average zange of only 14° Fahrenheit VOL. LXXV Ne. 183 Committee To Study Fluoridation Move Pros And Cons Of Question Are Aired : The question of the fluori- dation of Monroe County’s water supply will be studied by a three man committee appointed by Mayor C. B. Harvey. The city commission recommended that action fast night after an extensive discussion of fluoridation. Mayor Harvey named Commis- sioner Delio Cobo, who is a den- tist, Doctor Edward Gonzalez, a physician, and authorized the Na- ‘vy to appoint the third member of the committee. The panel will be asked to meet shortly and submit their recom- mendation to the commission to aid them in deciding whether or not they will place their stamp of ap- proval on the fluoridation program designed to reduce the incidence of tooth decay in the county, "Approval Needed Approval of the city and county commission, along with medical and dental associations in Monroe County, has been requested by the state board of health. Last night, two persons appear- ed before the commission to dis- cuss the proposal. They were Dr. C. W. Morrison, Monroe County Health Officer and W. A. Doug- lass, who said that he is a re- tired research chemist. Morrison spoke in favor of flu- oridation while Douglass told the commission that he has not made up his mind but wants a more thorough study before the program is placed in effect. Morrison said that “too many professional groups endorse a pro- gram of controlled fluoridation for me to beleive ‘that it could pos- sibly harm the populace.” Poison Question In answer to reports that sodium Muoride is a poison, Dr. Morrison (Continued On Page Five) Cancer Society Head Is Grateful To Blood Donors Mrs. Dorothy Daniels, command- er of the Monroe County Unit of the American Cancer Society, said today, “‘On behalf of Monroe Coun- ty’s medically indigent cancer pa- tients, I take this opportunity to publicly thank Robert J. Schick, C. D. Stafford, John R. Hoskins, George Soltis, Jr., Maurice Scrib- er, Jr., and Ken Rutherford of the US Naval Fleet Sonar School for their donation of blood which was given to replace blood borrowed from the St, Francis hospital Bank.” Cancer patients referred to the clinic at the Miami Beach hospital are given blood whenever the need is indicated with no questions ask- ed. At the present time, Monroe County has a 35 pint deficit at the St. Francis Blood Bank. Mrs, Daniels also said today, “No more blood donors will be ac- cepted at Monroe General Hospi- tal until the Monroe County Cont- missioners give their approval and written permission to the hospital.” MASONITE PRESTWOOD for STORM SHUTTERS at Strunk Lumber 120 Simonton near Weather Bu. Sheriffs Office Reports On July Department Work The Monroe ‘County sheriff's office received 56 complaints during July and closed 58 cases during the same month, leav- ing 54 complaints on hand, it was announced today. i The following is a breakdewn of the cases handled by the de- partment during Juuly: Deaths, 3; rape, 1; breaking and entering, 4; larceny, 5; auto thefts,4; forgery, 1; em- bezzlement and fraud, 2; weap- ons violation, 1; sex offenses, except rape and prostitution, 1; family and children matters, 3; druunkenness, 1; disorderly conduct, 1; accidents, 5; mis- cellaneous, 24. Gasoline Tax Cut Is Asked THE SOUTHERNMOST NEWSPAPER KEY WEST, FLORIDA, TUESDAY, AUGUST 3, 1954 | COMMUNICATIONS — Lt. John B. Hayes, commander of the Coast Guard base here, uses the voice radio while Charles E. Huesman, radioman second class, types a message. This phase of Coast Guard operations will be open to the public at tomor- row's open house, marking the 164th anniversary of the Coast Guard.—Citizen Staff Photo, Jones. InResolution |Coast Guard Day To Commission Seeks Share In State Tax Increment A resolution addressed to the Florida League of Municipalities asking that they sponsor a law in the 1955 Florida State Legislature granting the city a share of gaso- line tax money and to remove all restrictions on the use of cigarette tax moneys, was passed last night by the City Commission. But the commission rejected two other ‘provisions of the resolution which would allow cities of more than 100,000 Population to issue general obligation bonds after ap- proval by referendum and which would give muncipalities the right to annex adjacent unincorporated areas. City Attorney J. Y. Porter ex- plained that the latter provisions were included in a resolution pass- ed by the Miami city commission which he was instructed to copy. Provision of Law The law provides that the city (Continued On Page Five) Saunders Is Renamed To Inspection Post J. Willard Saunders, 1701 Von Phister St., has been re-appointed State Department of Agriculture Inspector for Monroe County. He received notice Monday from Commissioner Nathan Mayo that his four year commission has been signed by Acting Governor Charley Johns. Saunders has held the post for five years. His duties include the supervi- sion and inspection of food stores and gasoline stations. At the same time he received his commission, Saunders was commended by Mayo for success- ful completion of a training course in Miami, “I want to congratulate you for the fine record you made in Mia- mi in Jan. when you made a score of 92. I understand that throughout the United States, the average is 9456. You did a wonderful job,” wrote Mayo. FABRIC SALE GROUP ONE GROUP Two GROUP THREE K) |) a ar $1.00 2 YDS. ______. $1.00 SYDS. ____4$2100 Values to 98c Yd. Just Arrived Shipment NO IRON Prints Als, BACK TO SCHOOL PLAIDS SANDS FABRIC CENTER 706 DUVAL STREET Join Our Merchandise Club || TRAFFIC BOX SCORE Be Marked Insurance Tax Measure Tabled An erdinance calling for a one per cent tax on casualty insurance premiums was tabi- ed last night to allow the city commission more time to study By Although the bill was in the agenda for last night’s meet- ing, the commissioners said that the first they heard of it was when they read about it in the newspapers. The ordinance was suggest- ed by city Finance Director Craig Bowen. There is also some question as to whether the tax would amount to an additional levy or whether it is now being col- lected by the state. Women Warne About Brief Costumes Here A stiff warning was handed out by Municipal Judge Enrique! Esquinaldo, Jr., yesterday after he dismissed charges of vagrancy and indecent exposure held against two women. The pair, Patricia Bouchard, and Joan Dina, who gave their address as the LaConcha Hotel, were ar- rested Saturday night by Police Sgt. Frank Caraballo. Both pleaded not guilty but Caraballo testified that he had been watching them for several (Continued on Page Five) KEY WEST'S August Accidents ___ Traffic Injuries Traffic Deaths __ Prop. Damage $70 $78,607 No accidents were reported yesterday. Perhaps the rash of mishaps which occurred over the week- end served as a reminder to local motorists that safety is important. Already this year, the amount of accident damage amounts to more than 75 per cent af the total for 1953. That’s a lot of grocery mon- ey. And just a reminder — have you checked that liability in- surance policy lately? An accident, if you are not properly insured, ean cause fin- ancial disaster. Tomorrow Public Invited To Visit Base At Whitehead, Front Sts. Nie The Coast Guard will hold open house here tomorrow as part of the celebration marking Coast Guard’ Day. Lt. John B. Hayes; corny manding officer of the Coast Guard base here said the base and boats will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. tomorrow. Later in the day, from 3 p. m. to 7 p. m., Coast Guard personnel will attend a pienic on the grounds of Key West light, in the 900 block of Whitehead Street. Guides will be ready at the base to show visitors around the base and explain the equipment aboard the Ariadne and White Sumac. Guides also will explain the equipment in the shops, including the lamp shop where acetylene and electric lanterns and flahsers are maintained. The operation of buoys and com- munications also will be open to visitors. 5 Vessels Here The Coast Guard complement here of 95 men and seven officers operates five vessels among their other jobs. The vessels are a cutter, the Ari- IN THE Ken West Citisen U.S. Immigration Officer Explains Delay In Admitting Cubans Investor Wants Bight Contract City Attorney J. Y. Porter revealed Monday that a private investor is interested in leasing 2 portion of Bight and developing it yacht har- bor. Porter told the city commis- sion that he had been contacted by telephone by the man, who he declined to identify pending further negotiations, and that he was told that $350,000 would be spent on the development. The commission — instructed Porter to meet with the man and make a further report. Other Stores Enter Into Sales Spirit “Success Of City-Wide Sale Attracts New Participants Here Feeling that imitation is the sin- cerest form of flattery, the Retail Merchants’ Division of the Key West Chamber of Commerce felt highly - flattered yesterday when nearly every store in town burst forth with a sale — climbing on the bandwagon created by that Di- vision in inaugurating the current Key West Bargain Days Sale, which will run through tomorrow. For some time the Retail Divi- sion has been working on plans for this city-wide sale promotion but, as always with a new project, some of the stores were reticent about joining in. Undaunted, however, the 46 mer- chants — about half of the Divi- sion’s members — proceeded with their plans, and yesterday morning dawned on the town’s first city- wide sale, Idea Spreads And city-wide it really is, be- adne; a small buoy tender, the|/cause in the meantime the idea White Sumac; an 83-foot patrol boat; a 52-foot buoy boat; and a 38-foot picket boat. Among the Coast Guard’s many (Continued on Page Five) has spread like wildfire ahd many of the other merchants, apparent- ly regretting their original lack of enthusiasm, decided they’d better (Continued on Page Five) Dignitaries Did Not Arrive On Schedule Sunday A mixup in the time of ar- rival of 12 Cuban digni- taries here Sunday was blamed for a delay in their being processed by the U. S. Immigration Service by C. E. McPherson, officer in charge of the local office. McPherson’s office had been cri- ticized for “slowness” in clearing the group on their arrival here. But in a statement clarifying the situation, McPherson said that the fact that the visitors did not ar- rive on schedule and that he was not furnished in advance with a list of those aboard the plane, made it difficult to expidite their clear- ance. Behind Schedule McPherson pointed out that the Cubans were scheduled to arrive here aboard the first plane of the day: from Havana at 5:4§ a. m. However, that plane did not reach Key West until 10:40.a. m. — with- out the’ Cabans aboard :* They came in on the second plane only 20 minutes later. Immigration inspectors were still {Continued On Page Five) Action Deferred On Parking Lot Lease Action was deferred last night on an offer to rent the city a park- ing lot on Bahama Street. The offer was made by Mrs. Ruth Harden. She proposed to give the city the lot for one year at a rental of $150 per month with an option to renew at $175 per month. It was also brought out at the meeting that there are presently eight tenants paying ten dollars per month, guaranteeing the city a substantial share of the rent. But City Manger Victor Lang pointed out that the city’s purpose in seeking parking facilities would be defeated since the lot is al- ready in operation and there would be no addition to the amount of parking area in the city. The commission was also of the opinion that they would require a longer term lease. here. In the photo, Ray V. Kennedy, bos'n mate second class, is shown working on a buoy—Citi- zen Steff Photo, Jones. For Quick Communication, Use CLASSIFIED. Ads! You'll reach buyers and sellers—~ tenants or workers . . . Just DIAL 2-5661 or 2.5662, PRICS FIVE CENTS Property Tax Increase Due County Board Plans Expenditures Based On 3.1 Millage Increase You will pay $3.10 more per $1,000 of property val- crease from 17.4 mills last year to 17.9 mills jn the tentative budget. The increase is being asked by (Continued on Page Five) City Commission Sets 1954 Tax Millage Monday The city commission passed an ordinance last night officially set- ting the city tax rate at %.5 mills. The millage provides 20 mills for general service, 2.5 mills for debt service and two mills for the city’s share of the cost of operation of the Monroe General Hospital. The 1954 tax book was also ac- cepted at last night’s session. uation if the tentative budget is adopted at tonight’s meeting of the county commissioners. The budget—which includes money for the county government, the schools, the county health center, the hospital, and the mosquito control district—shows a 3.1 mills increase over last year. Ci T, C: ll The old budget for all ity 0 county departments was 24 EF S a me mills or $24 per $1,000 of property valuation. or Wimnmin? The tentative budgets total 27.1 . mills or $27.10 per $1,000 of proper- Pool Bids os Earl Adams, county clerk, today pointed out that he had submitted Lang Denies a tentative budget to the county commissioners that was exactly He Opposes the same as the old budget. The Proposal Increase Added Later However, he said the com- A call for bids will be| missioners had inserted the re- issued for construction of a cueten ingreases ‘which reise the a entative budget. municipal swimming pool,| 4s set up now, the tentative bud- the city commission decided | get to run the county government last night. . set at 9,2 mills. The old budget 6.6 }. The pool, advocated by The set tela adopted by the the Key West Business and | school board last yes ae for Professional Women’s Club | 14.5 mills — the same as last year. ‘The county health center is ask- would be built according to dag:the camecamoatt ton it did plans already drawn. last year — .4 mills, Commissioner Louis’ Carbonell}. The . mosquito’ control - district suggested the call for bids. ~ --"|also wants the same millage as Only stumbling block in the way | last year — 1-mill. of a pool, is apparently the me-| The hospital is asking for-a slight thod of financing it, Carbonell. re-| increase — from 1.5 mills last year vealed last night that a special|/to 2 mills in the ‘new budget. meeting was held yesterday in the| If you'll add the above millage, Chamber of Commerce to discuss | you'll see that the big increase is ways and means of solving that/| in the operation of the county gov- Problem and that a solution was| ernment — 2.6 mills or $2.60 per arrived at but he declined to com-| $1,000 of property valuation. ment “until he gets more informa-| The other four units of the coun- tion.” ty are asking only a .5 mill in- Lang Clarifies Stand In commenting on a report sub- mitted by City Manager Victor Lang who went to Miami last week to investigate swimming pool op- erations there, Carbonell said that “maybe he isn’t in favor of a pool but I am — the people voted for a pool two years ago and 1 think we owe it to the youth of the com- munity to build it.” ; Lang’s report revealed that only one of 20 pools are paying their way in the Miami area. Lang however, denied that he is opposed to a swimming pool. “You sent me to Miami to find out the facts and.1 ound the facts,” he commented, Lang said that the Proposed pool would cost some- where in the neighborhood of $100,- 000. He said that the only methods he can forsee to pay for the pool would be a utility tax or a bond| The amount of city tax money issue. which goes for the hospital opera- Mayor C. B. Harvey pointed out,|tion came in for considerable eri- however, that interest charges and|ticism from the commission last other costs of/ a bond issue would| night. amount to 20 per cent of the} Commissioner Jack Delaney amount needed. pointed out that the city will give He suggested a “pay as you go”|the county a total of $41,000 this plan for the pool. year for the hospital. And conmigo Pog son POLICE COURT added that he a lonroe County’s legislative delegation for FEES ARE ENDED legislation to reduce the city’s The practice of paying police of-|share of the hospital operation to ficers fees for their appearances|a flat ten thousand dollars an- in city court as witnesses in their | nually. off duty hours is officially ended.| He pointed out that when the The city commission passed on|two mill levy was agreed on, the second reading last night an or-| hospital was operating at a deficit dinance calling for an end to the|but has since reached a healthier practice. financial condition. Pay raises set up in the budget} The county’s tax levy for the will compensate for loss of the|hospital is also two mills, which fees, the commissioners said. Produceg a total of $78,134.62, Notice To Taxpayers oad on hand tonight to potent Pt 3. illage increase proposed e County Commissioners. This is mins chance! The City and the School Board have not increased their millage, why should the County? F