New-York tribune., 1921-06-03

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THE WONDERS OF MIAMI BEACH ARE A
CONSTANT SOURCE OF ADMIRATION
TO ALL PEOPLE
Right here wish to say very frankly:
l started on my trip to Miami prepared
to discount somewhat the things I had
read about the city, but am now ready
to say that all had read or heard about
1t does not begin to adequately describe it.
And l will also say that there is big
dltference between motoring in New
York City and in Miami, with the differ
around the Miami zone one sees on both
sides of the wonderful automobile roads
a wealth Of palm-trees and beautiful de-
tached 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 admit
tedly beautiful country through West
chester County and over the hills of New
Jersey.
We rode over dustless, smooth-riding
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 decoration.
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 attractive homes T
have ever seen. He has made from the
rock two pillars at the entrance to his
driveway which represent 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 31a miles long. span
ming Biscayne Bay. This Causeway cost
Sl.000,000. Without it, and a wooden
br1dge--the longest in the world. whose
construction antedated the building of
the CauSeway-there never could have
been the remarkable development of
Miami Beach, which, less than seven
years ago, was practically all swamp land,
separating Biscayne Bav 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, l8 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 putting
across enterprises that mean wonderful
advancement for the city. and they do
not hesitate to spend money to do so. A
million 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. 3
miles long, which cost $750,00o. This
was done to permit high-powered motor
boats to compete in races which are now
annual events in Miami. The dredgings
from this channel were used in putting
islands into Biscayne Bay on which beau
full homes are now being built and where
plots for home sites now sell for as much
as $4,000.
Imagine a sheet of water being dotted
with several islands through mans in
geruity, and in a year or so afterward
putting 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 are connected by bridges to the
causeway, making direct connection to
Miami Beach and Miami City,
On the beach front we saw thousands
Of people in bathing-men, women and
children--the happiest group of folks you
ever saw. There is fine spirit of
democracy exemplified on this beach,
which dispels the thought entertained by
many people that Miami is a little au-
tocracy instead o. big democracy.
The Causeway might have been built
for the exclusive use of motorists but i
was not. A trolley line runs across it,
transporting people TO and from the
beach, because the spirit of Miami-the
finest / have ever geen in any conrnu-
nity--1eads but to one thought, and that
IS. that whatever is good for one
Miamian is good for all Miamians.
So it is that all of the beauties and
charms of the Miami zone may be en-
ioycd by all people, and yet I must say
that my observations impressed me with
the fact that the hurnblest 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, 5ox150 feet, in
the suburbs, can be purchased at a rea-