Evening star., 1948-02-22
Florida's 1948 Season
More Like Old Times
By Wilbur JENNINGS

other a States and Washington
D. c., February "a is remembered
as George Washington's birthday
In Florida 1t marks the peak Of the
winter tourist season.
Generally the present season has
been a good one. 1t tops anything
ever dreamed Of in the prewar
years. But few seem to remember
back that far. It's being compared
with the years of 1s43 and 1916,
BY that standard, 1t Is something
like 90 per cent OF.
Vacancy signs still wave In the
breeze. Hotel rooms and apart
ments are to be had. Everywhere
people complain of business. But
they forget the war money Is disap-
lpearing.
Florida has become q more pleas
ant place to visit in winter. 1t Is
more like the old-time season. Some
prefer that, but many others would
like to revive the days when the
greenbacks flowed across the coun-
ters.
Night Club Prices Uncut.
The night clubs. complain. But
prices are still up A drink costs as
much as ever. The talent appears
to be superior to that of the war
years.
Maurice Chevalier, the French
actor, received $4,000 for weeks
appearance at one club. Martha
Raye, Joe z. Lewis, Harry Richman,
Sophie Tucker, Carmen Miranda,
Willie Howard and the Ritz Broth
ers are among others who have
been enjoying the sun and picking
up fat checks.
The betting and the crowds at
the horse tracks are OF, as was ex-
pected. But Hialeah has had nu-
merous 81 1000 900 wagering days.
It's more fun losing your - these
days. The sprint to turn currency
into mutuel tickets has slackened
The charts are studied more care
fully and the crowd seems more In
| GSllC6 JltO 4ACC 10 A&As
There's even a courtesy about the
tracks. People apologize for stepping
on your toes in the mutuel lines
Remember a couple Of years ago!
It was like a cattle stampede; the
survival of the fittest.
Tourist Industry Broadens.
The tourist industry has become
more State wide. During the wal
when the Palm Beaches and the
Miamis were pushing away visitors
the less publicized resorts were
taking them in.
Towns like Fort Myers, Sarasota
Bradenton, Orlando and Key West
to mention q few, picked up many
new cash customers who are return.
ing each winter. >.~.. 49,:
The Palm Beaches however, are
still the mecca for society and hold
ers of foreign titles. ~
Miami. and Miami Beach continue
to draw those who love to sun II
the day; play at night. 'e
| Many New Spots.
st. Petersburg always will be
rendezvous for pleasant living. .,
The lifting of the ban on new con-
struction brought an immediate re-
action In South Florida. Hotels
apartment buildings and private
homes went up like anthills. Almost
overnight, there were thousands OF
new spots for visitors. These have
helped take the load" of Of the
others.
The season, as in prewar years
was late. The crowds didn't gel
down until January. Many think
it will be short, but with an unusu'
ally hard winter in the Midwest anc
East, it is expected to linger vel
into April.
During the war the crowds camt
early, either to get place or be-
cause thousands of sons and fathers
were in training here.
The best Of the Florida season l!
ahead with numerous attractions or
the calendar. But the hurly-burlI
rush of other years is gone-prob.
ably for good.