The Key West Citizen Newspaper, October 7, 1954, Page 1

Key West, Florida, has the most equable climate in the country, with an- average range of only 14° Fahrenheit For Quick Communication, Use CLASSIFIED Ads! You'll reach buyers and sellers— tenants or workers .. . Just DIAL 2-5661 or 2.5662 Today iJ he Ken West Citisen OL. LXXV Neo, 238 $e THE OLD CANNON RECOVERED—Harry Merrihue (left), and Ernie Ryckman are shown with two of the four old cannon which they recovered from the reef off Key West. The cannon each weigh 1.400 pounds.—Citizen Staff Photo, Don Pinder. Plumber Charges Defect In feet, 11 inches in length. The bore Sewer Installation Project Mike Padron Claims Plumbing Inspector Shows Favoritism The million dollar Key for considerable discussion West sewer project came in last night at the meeting. of the, city commission when a local plumber ¢ Mhere are serious defects in The plumber, Mike Pad- ron, also. complained that city “Plumbing Inspector a local real estate man compla ed that he is being made to pay a $58 per month sewer bill on an empty building. Too Near Surface Padion pointed out that he is losing money on several jobs he has taken to hook up homes to the sewer system because the sewer has been laid too close to the sur- face of the ground. “In some places it is only two inches below the surface,” Pa- dron said. He added that in at least one case, he had found it necessary to run his sewer connec- tion all the way around the house to get the proper grade. Plumbing inspector Alsing also said that a serious situation has resulted from the fact that some of the lines are too high. ‘One of the sewer lines is a full six inches above the -house grade I ‘don’t know where all this is going to end up,” said Alsing. Alsing’s Denial He also deni that he has shown any favori in checking plumbing installations, Padron had pointed out that it is illegal for plumbers to hook up to the sewer system until any defects in home plumbing have been cor- rected. He said that Alsing had refused to OK one of his jobs but that the inspector had overlooked needed corrections on at least two other jobs done by un-named con- tractors. A special meeting of the plumb- ing board was called for tonight to iron out the situation. City Mana- ger Victor Lang backed up Alsing saying that “‘he didn’t think he was showing any favoritism.” Assistance Needed He pointed out that Alsing is vastly overworked and said that he will need additional held short- ly, Reason, Lang said, is that he will have to supervise an ed 300 sewer connections in addi- tion to his other duties, Lang also said that a check is being conducted to see what the situation is regarding the sewer system, An inspector from the United States Public Health Service is al- so in Key West today making a check. Lang pointed out that 10 per cent of the contractor’s money is being withheld unti: the system passes final inspection. “In any job of this size, there are going to be a few bugs, All in hn a Alaskan Yellow Cedar for Boats — at ‘Strunk Lumber Simonton, near Marine Ways the installation. owing fpy- | i ane 7 “this the received is. Month..even th one of the: several pt ae is occupied. : But City Managér Lang pointed out that “there is nothing that the commission can do about it.” ‘Under the terms of the sewer bond ordinance, the charges are based on the number of units, “You have to pay whether the building is occupied or not,” said La < ng. . The bond issue is being paid for out of sewer revenue. Se Key West To Get First Class Streets City Manager Victor Lang was authorized to call for bids last night for a “first class” Paving job en the Key West's main streets. The city commission — teld Lang te issue the call Novem- ber 15 for the job which will cost an estimated $75,000. Lang said today that the pro- ject will “be a continuation of the street program started in 1948." He added that mo de- cison has been made concern- ing which streets in the city will be peved. BPW Gets $200 To Finance Dist. Meeting Here The city eommisson voted |}: night to give the Business and fessional Women’s Club $200 to ance their district meeting he Oct, 31. q Mrs. Alice Nix, of the organiz: tion pointed out in a letter tc th commission that the one-day meet- ing would result in valuable publi- city for Key West. ee But some commissioners pro- tested that the city’s convention and publicity fund is being depleted too rapidly. City Manager Victor Lang recommended that only $100 be given the BPW. And Commis- siner Delio alsb asked what the Chambér of Commerce is doing to aid such events financially. FinaLy, the commission voted to give the full $200. “When the money is gone, we’!l just have to turn people down,” they said. MEET POSTPONED — ORLANDO w—A meeting of Florida State League directors scheduled for Sunday here has been postponed until Oct. 17. Caro Suspends Double Term For Young Man Philly Youth Pleads Guilty On 2 Counts In Criminal Court * William Alexander: King, 17, of Philadelphia, who stole two cars in one night, today was given two five- year suspended sentences, provided he pay the costs incurred when he wrecked one of the cars. Judge Thomas S. Caro in crim- inal court sentenced King when he pleaded guilty. The sheriff’s de- partment said King’s father paid the bill which amounted to about Reduction of Charge The charges were reduced from auto theft to using the property of another without the consent of the owner. King took one car here, drove as far as Long Key where he wrecked it, walked to Craig Key several miles away and stole an- other car. He abandoned the sec- ond car on Lower Matecumbe Key. King was pickedup on U. S. 1 early Sept. 29 by Deputy Sheriff Rene Raiole. Other Pleas Other guilty pleas neard by Juge Caro today, along with the charge and sentence, were: G. H. George, speeding and no driver’s license, $15 or 15 days. G. D. Wooten, no driver’s license, $15 or 15 days. E. A. Askew, reckless driving, $15 or 15 days. R. G. Monday, following too close $15 or 15 days. The following persons pleaded guilty to speeding charges and each were sentenced to $15 or 15 days: R. W. Weir, A. P. Patterson, E. W. Svoboda, A. A. Moore, Jr., R. J. Hill, and Martin Roland. KETCHUM IS NAMED ALTERNATE JUDGE Attorney Ben Ketchum was nam- ed last night by the city commis- sion to serve as alternate city judge whenever Judge Enrique Es- quinaldo, Jr., is unable to hold court. In the past, it has been the prac- tice to appoint a new judge when- ever he was needed. But Ketchem, in the future, will take over auto- matically in the absence of Judge Esquinaldo. He will receive the same salary as the regular judge during the time he serves. Bobby’s BIRTHDAY Party Friday Nite, 7 O'Clock ‘til “?" - Free Eats On House UFFY’'S TAVERN ¥ 218 DUVAL STREET Li SOUTHERNMOST NEWSPAPER KEY WEST, FLORIDA, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1954 200-Year-Old Cannon Are - Found On Reef Four Old Guns Identified As English “Sakers” By DENIS SNEIGR Four iron cannon dating back from the 1700's have been recovered from the reef off Key West, it was learned today. The men who brought in the cannon were Ernie Ryck- man and Harry Merrihue, who dive for coral and shells. It was while they were gathering coral on the reef that they found the cannon. : Using winches on Ryckman’s 21-foot cabin cruiser, they raised the cannon and brought them: to shore to their shop behind Cliff's Marine Supply on Stock Island. Ordnance Described The cannons each measure six is 3.65 inches and each cannon weighted 1,400 pounds, They fired a six-pound shot. By consulting books on ordn- ance, the cannon have been identi- fied as English - made sakers, a type that was widely used during the 1700's. These cannon are identical with several that were recovered from a different spot on the reef a few year's ago. At that time, a Mr. Petersen, di- rector of the arms and armor di- vision of the Smitbsonian Institute, Washington, was here. He identi- fied most of those cannon as sak- ers of the same length as those recovered by Ryckman and Merri- hue. Experienced Divers Ryckman has been diving pro- fessionally since World War I days. For .several years he hasbeen ‘diving in the waters new Key West.» He and Merrihue bring in entire pieces 6f coral of various types. They saw the bases of the pieces smooth so each piece sits evenly on a natural base, After the pieces of coral are bleached white, they are sold to | gift shops from here to Fort Lau- derdale. Ryckman and Merrihue also. bring in various kinds of shells which they clean and sell to gift shops. Plans Outlined For Setting Up Of Blood Bank It's a sinking feeling when a loved one needs blood and needs it in a hurry and you have to find a donor with the: proper type. If you're the one who needs it, your family can get pretty frantic. So the Monroe County Blood | Committee’s idea of a ‘‘walking blood bank” is a timely one. It works this way: Beginning on Monday, October 18, registered nurses will be at headquarters :2 Lou’s Radio and Appliance Store, 522 Duval Street, to take blood samples which will be typed by registered technician. File T Wallet cards will be sent to all who come in to have their blood | typed and their rames will be | placed in a central file. The file will be kept at the po- lice department to call for donors and take them home after giving their blood. The idea is new in Key West but has proved very successful in other cities. The Blood Committee stresses that there is no charge for having your blood typed and it only takes a few minutes. Cooperation The headquarters will be open from 4:30. to 6:00'p. m. on week- days and from 9:00 a. m. until 9:00 p. m. on Saturday, The Blood Committee, headed by Bob Daniels, is asking all organi- zations who have blood donor lists to cooperate with the committee’s “walking blood bank” by asking the persons on their lists to have their blood typed if they have not already done so. ber of the Key West Chest and’ hopes to have at least a thousand names ii fore the end of the drive. Ci IN THE U.S.A. PRICE PIVE CENTS ruman Ave. Papy Says Right-of-Way Can Be Bought With Tax Proposed Amendments By BILL SPILLMAN Consolidation of city and county tax offices in Monroe County is mandatory if the statewide voters pass the amendment to the constitution in the forthcoming election. Commission Will Discuss Airport Squabble Tonight The hassle between National Airlines and the county over landing fees at Meacham Field will get an airing at 8 p. m. today at a specie! meeting of the county commissioners. Gerald Saunders, chairman of the board of county com- missioners, called the meeting this morning. It will be in the county court house. Saunders said there is no foundation te rumors that the commission has rescinded er- ders to Paul yer, leg: viser, to take action NAL for non-payment ef a $5,- 144 bill. The bill is due, the county say, for NAL’s use of the field since last Jan. 1. At a special meeting Sept. 20, the commissioners told Saw- yer to take appropriate fegal action uniess the bill was paid by Oct. 1. The squabble began Jan. 1, when the county slapped a 50- cent fee on each passenger landing or teking off. at the field. NAL refused to collect the fee from passengers. Hazel Heads For Aruba I. MIAMI (#—Hurricane Hazel’s 115- mile winds posed a threat today to the Dutch West Indies island of Aruba, off the coast of South America, where the Standard Oil Company of New Jersey has one of the world’s largest oil refiner- ies. The Weather Bureau at San Juan P.R., warned the big fleet of tank- ers which ply the Caribbean off oil-tich Venezuela to get out of the storm’s path, and advised the island of Aruba, within sight of the Venezuelan coast, to take pre- cautions against possible hurci- cane winds this afternoon and to- night. The center at 11 a.m. was at latitude 12.9 north, longitude 69.4 west, or about 1,200 miles south- east of the Florida mainland. Grady Norton, chief storm fore- caster in the Miami Weather Bu- reau, believed Aruba would re- ceive a near-miss from Hazel’s most powerful winds but would be within range of heavy gales. “This hurricane is about as far south as I have ever seen one,” said the veteran forecaster. “‘It’s an odd place for a full blown tropical storm.” -4 city take it over, would-you?” State Representative Bernie C. Papy made the disclosure in his talk explaining seven proposed constitutional amendments to mem- bers of the Junior Chamber of Commerce last night in the club- house on Flagler Avenue. Papy said that it is mandatory in Monroe County because it has already been passed by local ref- erendum two years ago. Permissive Measure In another constitutional amend- ment concerning the combining of other tax assessors’ offices the measure is permissive upon local referendum. The Representative declared that two years ago local voters ap- Proved the measure to join the two offices but it was defeated at the State polls because the people in the state were misinformed. When asked if the city or county tax assessor would become the new assessor, Papy answered that the new assessor would be the county assessor. He also said to the person asking the question, “You wouldn’t want to see the Other Amendments In telling of the other constitu- tional amendments, Papy outlined them as follows: 1, An amendment to. let three- fifths of the legislature call that body back into session and to raise the pay of the representatives from $600 for two years to $2400. Papy said that people must weigh the cost of calling the legislative body into special session against the possible gains. 2. An amendment to doubly pro- tect the state from being respon- sible for bonded indebtedness. 3. An amendment giving the governor of the state an extra 10 days to sign or veto a measure passed by the legislature. Papy explained that this is a good amendment because there are times when it is not humanly pos- sible for a person (the governor) to have time to check all the new acts. 4. An amendment making it per- missive for cities and counties of Florida to combine the city and county tax offices (not Monroe County). 5. An amendment to allow extra county judges in the larger coun- ties of the state. Papy said that this is necessary because of the additional court cases and work loads in the counties. 6. An amendment providing for combining of the tax offices in Monroe County on a mandatory basis. 7. An amendment allowing an additional criminal court judge in Escambia County (Pensacola area). DESIGNER ILL PARIS (# — Fashion designer Jacques Fath is reported seriously il. How About YOUR Home Stove? If you heat or cook with an oil stove, are you absolutely certain that your stove is in perfect working condition? You better be, says Fire Chief Charles Cremata, because oil stove-oil range fires are the biggest single home fire killer. According to the chief, National Fire Protection Association studies show that fires caused by improperly handled or defective ofl stoves account for nearly a quarter of all home fire deaths. Children under five, the NFPA claims, are the principal victims of these fires. And as a part of their national drive to stop child- killing fires, the International Association of Fire Chiefs offers this These Are Dangerous Most dangerous if not working right or not operated properly are these stoves: portable kerosene heaters, oil and kerosene kitchen advice: and space heaters. space Now, at the start of the heating season, is a good time to have your stove checked and repaired by a qualified mechanic, warns the chief. Follow the mani be- | careful with oil stoves” to this year’s Fire Prevention “Let's grow-up — not burn-up!” Just as important is knowing how to operate the stove correctly. ufacturer’s instructions exactly or, if you've check at once with your dealer or the fire good ides, too, thinks Chief Cremata, is to add “Let's be extra|that the July 1, 1953, population | ent. Week slogan, By JIM nue Department has termed ida.” Bernie C. Papy and officials Traffie Laws Enacted Here At Meeting Speed Zones, Traffic Lights Are Discussed These traffic ordinances were passed on second read- ing by the city commission last night: In addition, considerable discus- sion of the city’s traffic light situa- tion resulted in a decision to op- erate the light at White and South- aly Streets only diring school City Commissioner Louis Car- bonell moved that the hours the light is operating be changed be- cause it is creating a traffic jam. City Manager Vietory Lang then called for a study of the city’s en- tire traffic light problem. “They can cause accidents as well as pre- vent them,” said Lang. Right On Red The traffic ordinances include one making it illegal to make a right turn on a red light unless there is a sign granting permission to do so. Mayor Cc. B. Harvey suggested that police issue only warnings to violators for the first month until motorists become accustomed to the new law. _ Another ordinance sets the speed limit on South Roosevelt Blvd. be- tween Duck Ave and U. S. 1 at 15 miles per hour. That action was requested by Naval Hospital offi- cials. Petronia Street, between Simon- ton and Emma Streets will be a one-way thoroughfare under the terms of another ordinance. Flagler Speed The speed limit on Flagler Ave. between First St. and the Boule- vard was raised to 35 miles per hour by passage of another ordin- ance. And Mayor C. B. Harvey sug- gested that another ordinance be drawn up permitting a 35 mile per hour speed zone on Roosevelt Bou- levard near the charter boat docks. The commissioners also will stu- dy the possibility of removing the taxi stand at Fleming and Duval Sts. and adding parking meters in that block. No Action Taken On Beer License No action was taken last night on a variance ordinance allowing the sale of beer and wine in Jimmy’s Drive-In, Flagler Ave., when the city commission failed to present a motion for its passage. The ordinance had been the ob- ject of a hot controversy among residents in the neighborhood for many months. When it was read last night, no commissioner offer- ed a motion for its passage. City Manager Victor Lang re- ported that a spot check of the there were 12 persons opposed to misson to sell beer at the drive-in. MORE TEXANS lost| AUSTIN, Tex. u — The State, Health Department said yesterday of Texas was 8,397,000 with 66,493 ‘deaths that year. neighborhood had revealed that | and six persons for granting per- | COBB : The city commission set the wheels in motion last night for a long range program of widening Truman Ave- to correct a traffic situation which the St ate Road “the most critical in South Flor- ; City Manager Victor Lang, in a letter to the com- mission, revealed that he has conferred with State Rep, of the state road department in an effort to find a solution to the problem. ee Lang said he was told that {the road department will transform Truman Avenue into a four-lane highway — if the city can acquire the right of way. The city manager added that Rep. Papy had suggested that the jhuge cost of acquiring the right of way might be financed with a | Share of the county’s gasoline tax, Cooperation Suggested He suggested that the city com. mission officially offer the county commission their full cooperation in getting the project under way. After a brief discussion, the ‘one pee Lang to take steps acquiring t! Tight of way. . es : First step will be the considera- tion of an ordinance establishing a 30-foot setback on new buildings alone Truman Ave. ;. ing suggested that move in or- der that the expense of acquiring the right of way would not be in- creased and complicated by addi- tional buildings within the propos- ed -way. ick Adjustment He addtd that when it has been determined whether the right-of- way should be apportioned equal- ly between the north and south side or if all should be taken from one side or the other, setbacks can be adjusted. In commenting on the cost and Possible means of financing the Toad - widening program, Lang Said: “The acquisition of such a right-of-way will fall upon the city and the county and will in itself be @ project of some magnitude, requiring very close cooperation between the city and the county, “It was suggested by our State Representative that this could Pos- sibly be financed through alloca- tion of a portion of the county’s Sasoline tax, with Possibly $100,000 a year being set aside for this pur- | Pose.” | Recommended by SRD Lang said further that the state road department has recommend- ed a four-lane highway along True man Ave. The recommendation, he said, is based on extensive traffic counts. “They have no doubt,” Lang said, “that if the right-of-way can be obtained appropriations for the con- struction will be forthcoming.” According to the state road de- partment, the necessary right-of- | Way for the four-land road is 80- feet between property lines. This consists of four 12-foot lanes, two eight-foot parking lanes, two five- foot sidewalks and two three-foot utility lanes between the sidewalks and the curb. The state would bear the cost of the construction of roads, curbs, gutters, sidewalks and storm drain- age. ILLEGAL NETS _ Drop nets are illegal to use with- in one mile of U. S. 1 in Monroe County, Joe Knight, conservation agent, reminded fishermen today. He added that a bully net may be used anywhere. Announcement | RITA YATES | Formerly of the | Adorable Beauty Selon Is Now at The CASA MARINA BEAUTY SALON || For Appointments Call | 2-2451