The New York herald., 1921-06-01
THE WONDERS OF MIAMI BEACH ARE A
CONSTANT SOURCE OF ADMIRATION
TO ALL PEOPLE

HE WUNDEkS Or MIAMI DEALT NM
CONSTANT SOURCE OF ADMIRATION
TO ALL PEOPLE
Right here wish to say very frankly:
started on my trip to Miami prepared
to discount somewhat the things l had
read about the city, but am now ready
to say that all I had read or heard about
it does not begin to adequately de-
scribe it.
And I will also say that there is big
difference between motoring IN New
York City and in Miami, with the dit
ference in favor of Miami, because in
going around the Miami zone one sees
on both sides of the wonderful automo-
bile roads wealth of palm-trees and
beautiful detached homes, with lawns
dotted with almost every variety OF
flowers.
The wonderful ride we took on that
May Sunday afternoon rivals any motor
trip that one can take, even IN the ao-
n1ittedly beautiful country through
Westchester County and over the hills
of New Jersey.
We rode over dustless, snooth-ridlng
and well-kept roads, which are made OF
coral rock-the natural rock which
abounds in Miami and its environs, al
though it is not found generally through
out the State of Florida. This coral
rock is also used in every conceivable
way for building and architectural dec
oration. Sculptors use it as they would
marble. We saw the home of sculptor
which he has built entirely out of coral
rock, and il is one Of the most attrac-
tive homes I have ever seen. He has
made from the rock two pillars at the
entrance to his driveway which repre-
sent two miniature lighthouses, and
which display lights of welcome at
night. He has dotted his lawn with
splendid figures representing nature life
In Miami.
We drove to Miami Beach over the
Causeway, which is 3a miles long,
spanning Biscayne Bay. This Causeway
cost ST. 1,ooo, ,ooo Without it, and
wooden bridge-the longest in the world
whose construction antedated the build
ing of the Causeway-there never could
have been the remarkab BILE development
of Miami Beach, which, less than seven
years ago, was practically all swamp
land, separating Biscayne Bay from one
of the finest beaches the Atlantic Ocean
has given to any section of the country.
This swamp land has been converted,
by the application of brains, money and
courage, into one of the greatest sites
in the world for beautiful homes, hotels,
Fairgrounds, automobile highways and
bathing the year round in water that is
always warm and delightful.
The Causeway was built from the
dredgings that came from digging a
deep channel, I3 feet wide, connecting
the Miami shore-front with the Atlantic
Ocean, and allowing steamers to sail to
and from Miami docks.
The people of Miami certainly give
the finest kind of cooperation in put
ting across enterprises that mean won
derful advancement for the city, and
they do not hesitate to spend money TO
do so. A millions dollars or SO means
nothing to them, but they do not waste
any money; they are careful to get 100
cents of real value for every dollar
spent.
Another development of Miami Beach
which is typical of the enterprise of men
who are convinced Of the great future
of Miami was the digging of channel.
miles long, which cost S75o,ooo. This
was done to permit high-powercd motor
boats to compete in races, which are
now annual events in Miami. The dredg-
ings from this channel were used in put
ting islands into Biscayne Bay, on which
beautiful homes arc now being built and
where plots for home sites now sell for
as much as 100000.
Imagine sheet of water being dotted
with several islands through mans inge-
nuity, and in year or so afterward put
ting on these islands some of the most
beautiful homes ever seen anywhere! Is
not this one of the best examples of en-
terprise you ever heard of? These ISL
ands arc connected by bridges TO the
Causcway, making a direct connection
to Miami Beach and Miami City.
On the beach front we saw thousands
of people in bathing-men, women and
children--thc happiest group OF folks
you ever saw. There is a fine spirit of
democracy cxemplihed on this beach,
which dispels the thought entertained
by many people that Miami is little
autocracy instead of a big democracy.
The Causeway might have been built
for the exclusive use of motorists, but
il was not. A trolley line runs across
it, transporting people to and from the
beach, because the spirit of Miami--the
finest / have ever seen in any con1rnu-
nity--leads but 10 one thought, and that
is, that whatever is good for one Miami
ian is good for all Miamians.
So il is that all Of the beauties and
charms of the Miami zone may be en-
joyed by all people. and yet must say
that my observations impressed me with
the fact that the hunblest citizen is able
to live in comfort, and is always able to
make his own way and to save some
money.
This fact is proved by the statement
that there is about $500 on deposit in
the banks of Miami for every man,
woman and child living in the city.
Another thing must be borne in mind.
showing the possibilities of comfortable
living in Miami. A lot. sox1so feet, in
the suburbs, can be purchased at res-
sonable cost. and fine bungalows may DC