davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Key West citizen., 1954-10-07
2OO-Year-Old
Cannon Are
Found On Reef
Four Old Guns
Identified As
English ''Sakers''
BY DENIS sNEIGR


Four iron cannon dating
back from the 170O'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 Cliffs
Marine Supply on Stock Island.
Ordnance Described
The cannonS each measure six
feet, ii inches in length. The bore
is 3.65 inches and each cannon
weighed 1.400 pounds. They fired
a six-pound shot.
By consulting books on ordn-
ance, the cannon have been identi-
fled as English made sakers. a
type that was widely used during
the 17OO's.
These cannon are identical with
several that were recovered from
different spot on the reef a few
years ago.
At that time, a Mr.. Petersen, di.
rector of the arms and armor di-
vision of the Smithsonian Institute,
Washington, was here. He identi-
fled most of those cannon as SAX
ers of the same length as those
recovered by Ryckman and Merri-
hue.
Experienced Divers
Hyckman mas Deen dlVlng pro-
fessionally since World War II
days.
For several years he has been
diving in IRE waters near Key
West. -
He and Merrihue bring in entire
pieces Of coral of various types.
They saw the bases of the pieces
smooth so each piece sits evenly
on 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.
The Key West citizen., 1954-10-07
Plans Outlined
For Setting
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
Committees idea of walking
blood bank" is timely one.
1t works this way: Beginning on
Monday, October 1S, registered
nurses will be at headquarters n
Louis Radio and Appliance Store,
522 Duval Street, to take blood
samples which will be typed by q
registered technician.
File To Be Kept
Wallet cards will be sent to all
who come in to have their blood
typed and their rsmes will oe
placed in a central file.
The file will be kept at the DO
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 Sought
The headquarters will be open
from 4:30. to 500 p. m. on week
days and from 800 a. m. until
800 p. m. on Saturday.
The Blood Committee, headed BY
Bob Daniels, is asking all organi-
zati0ns 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.
The Blood Committee is a men,
Der of the Key West Community
Chest and hopes to have at least
thousand names in the file be-
fore the end Of the drive.
The Key West citizen., 1954-10-07
No Action Taken
On Beer License

No action was taken last night on
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 OBJ
ject of 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
neighborhood had revealed that
there were IL persons opposed TO
and six persons for granting per-
nilsson to sell beer at the driye-in.
The Key West citizen., 1954-10-07
Traffic 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-
crate the light at White and South.
ard Streets only during school
hours.
City Commissioner Louis Car.
Donell moved that the hours the
light is operating be changed be-
cause it is creating a traffic lam.
City Manager Victory 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 c. 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 8 I AZ
Is miles per hour. That action was
requested by Naval Hospital Off
cials.
Petronia Street, between Simon
ton and Emma Streets will be a
one-way thoroughfare under the
terms Of another ordinance.
FlssIsr Speed
The speed limit on FlagIer Ave
between First st. and the Boule-
ward was raised to IS miles per
hour by passage of another ordin-
ance.
And Mayor c. B. Harvey sug-
gested that another ordinance be
drawn up permitting a IS 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.
The Key West citizen., 1954-10-07
|BPW Gets 500
To FinanceDis
Meeting Here

The city eommisson voted la
night to give the Business and
fessional Women's Club $500 to ii
ance their district meeting hel
Oct. 81.
Mrs. Alice Nix, of the organizs
ton pointed out in letter to tha
commission that the one day meet
ing would result in valuable publ
city for Key West.
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 also asked what the
Chamber of Commerce is doing to
aid such events financially.
Finally, the commission voted to
give the full $20O.
when the money is gone, Wen
Just have to turn people down, ="
they said.
The Key West citizen., 1954-10-07

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
huge 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
commission instructed Lang to take
the first steps in acquiring the
right Of way.
First step viii be the considera.
uon OF an ordinance establishing a
5O-foot setback on new buildings
along Truman Ave.
Lang suggested that move in or.
der that the expense of acquiring
the right Of way would not he in.
creased and complicated by addi.
uonai buildings within the propos.
ed righfpf-way.
fbsek Adjustment
He added that when il has heen
determined whether the rieht.of.
way should be apportioned equal.
ly between the north and south
sioe 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
road widening program, Lang
said: THE acquisition of such a
right-of-way will fall upon the city
and the county and will in itself
De a project of some magnitude
recurring very close cooperation
between the city and the county.
1t was suggested by our State
representative that this could DOS
slbly be financed through alloca.
tion OF q portion of the county's
gasoline tax, with possibly 500 900
year being set aside for this pur-
pose"
Recommended by SRD
Lang said further that the state
road department has recommends
ed a four-lane highway along Tru.
man Ave. The recommendation. he
said, is based on extensive traffic
counts.
They have no doubt" Lang said.
that il 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 30
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,
cutters, sidewalks and storm drain
age.
The Key West citizen., 1954-10-07

State Representative Bernie c
Papy made the disclosure in hi,
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.
Psrmissivs 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 il 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
city take it over, would you7"
ofhsr Amendmsnss =
In telling Of the other constitu-
tional amendments, Papy outlined
them as follows:
l. An amendment to let three
fifths of the legislature call that
body back into session and to raise
the pay Of the representatives. from
$500 for two years to $24o0. 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.
;. An amendment giving the
governor of the state an extra 10
days to sign or veto q measure
passed by the legislature. Papy
explained that this Is q good
amendment because there are
times when it is not humanity 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,.
S. 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 q mandatory
basis.
7. An amendment allowing an
additional criminal court judge in
Escambia County (Pensacola
area).
The Key West citizen., 1954-10-07

The plumber, Mike Pad
ron, also complained that
city Plumbing Inspector
Harry Alsing is showing fey-
oritism in his duties.
And to round out the discussion,
q local real estate man complain.
ed that he is being made to pay
a $50 per month sewer bill on an
empty building.
Too Near Surface
Padron 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.
I'm 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-
ton 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 don't
know where all this is going 10
end up" said Alsing.
AIsins's Denial
He also denied that he has
shown any favoritism 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 unnamed 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 estimat-
ed 300 sewer connections in addi-
ton 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 contractors money
is being withheld unit. the system |
passes final inspection.
In any job of this size, there |
are gong to be few bugs. All in |
The Key West citizen., 1954-10-07
KETCHUM is NAMED
ALTERNATE JUDGE

Attorney Ben Ketchum was nam
ed last night by the city commits
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.
The Key West citizen., 1954-10-07
Key Vest To Get
Streets

City Manager Victor Lang
was authorized TO call for bids
last night for . first class"
paving Job on the Key Vests
main streets.
The city commission told
Lang 10 issue the cell Novsm.
Der Is for the Job which will
cost an estim ated $75.00O.
Lang said today that HE pro-
iset will "bs . continuation Of
HE street program starred in
ls4s." He added that No d..
eison has been made eeneern-
Ing which streets IN The city
will bs paved.
The Key West citizen., 1954-10-07

all, I think il is a soo4 .6b," Lang
said.
Harry Cohen. owner Of 4 build
ing at Fieniing and bahama SITS.
complained 10 the commission last
night that he received a $5s sewer
bill this month even though only
one Of the several stores there. is
occupied.
But City Manager 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
Lang.
The bond issue is being paid for
out of sewer revenue.
The Key West citizen., 1954-10-07
City, tX9; akes Step To
WNeh7I truman Ave-.
PaPy Says Right-of-Way
Gan Be Bought With Tax
By jim COBB

Inc CITY commission set the wheels in motion last
sn. ior long range program of widening Truman Ave
70 correct traffic situation which the State Road
ida" ~ " 'O"'i I ioF-
City Manager Victor Lang in q letter n +bo oou
revealed that he has conferred with State Rem
~ fapy and officials of the state road department
In an effort to find solution to the problem.
The Key West citizen., 1954-10-07
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 bully net may be
used anywhere.
The Key West citizen., 1954-10-07
MORE TEXANS

AUSTIN, Tex. Up - The State
Health Department said yesterday
that the July l, 1853, population
of Texas was 1887 900 with es, ,4ss
deaths that year.
The Key West citizen., 1954-10-07
MEET POSTPONED

ORLANDO R-A meeting of
Florida State League directors
scheduled for Sunday here has
been postponed until Oct II.
The Key West citizen., 1954-10-07
Paby Explains Seven
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
The Key West citizen., 1954-10-07
Plumber Charges Defect In
Sewer Installation Project
Mike Padron Claims Plumbing
Inspector Shows Favoritism

The million dollar Key West sewer project came in
for considerable discussion last night the meeting of
the city commission when local plumber chG6N that
there serious defects in the installation
The Key West citizen., 1954-10-07
DESIGNER ILL

PARIS R - Fashion designer
Jacques Faith is reported seriously
i'll.
The Key West citizen., 1954-10-07

For Quick Communication.
Use CLASSIFIED Ads! You'll
reach buyers and sellers
tenants or workers lust
DIAL 2-sssl or 2,sss2 Today
The Key West citizen., 1954-10-07

Key West Florida. has the
most equable climote in the
sountrY. with en- uveroce
1cngs Of only IA Fohrenheit
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-01-26
lRioting Students Halt Madrid
Radio Briefly; New Fights Flare

ceeded in keeping the demon
strators of the air by suspend
ing broadcasting.
Angry at Falangists.
The students ire also was di-
rected against the Falange Party,
SPANS only legal political fac
ton, which was believed to have
organized yesterdays demonstra-
ton. They demanded the resig-
nation of Party Secretary Raj
mundo Fernandez Cuesta, who
also is minister without port
folio in Generalissimo Frances
government.
The students apparently were
enraged at the Falange because
a seemingly officially-inspired
demonstration had run into po-
lice opposition.
The demonstrators also de-
manded the resignation of In
formation Minister Gabriel Arias
Salgado and called for freedom
of the press. a..
Their demand for Arias SAL
gado'S custer apparently was
caused by a censorship ban on
publication of news of yester-
days battle.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-01-26
BY the Assoeiassd Press

MADRID, Spain, Jan. 26.-
Rioting students seized Madrid
Radio briefly today and forced it
off the air for half an hour. Else
where in the Spanish capital the
students clashed with police for
the second time in "a hours.
The new riots were spanked by
student rage over police strong
arm methods yesterday in break
ing up their anti-British demon
stration demanding the return of
Gibraltar to Spain.
Ask Chief to Quit.
The demonstrators today de-
manded the resignation of Ma
drid's public security director,
Brig. Gen. Rafael Hero Mar
tinez.
The bloody clash yesterday
was near the British Embassy,
where police on horseback and
afoot charged into the students
with clubs.
An estimated 10000 students
marched today on the radio sta
ton to broadcast their COM
plants. Station personnel and
hastily assembled police sue
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-01-26

dent Truman on House Un-
American Committee charges"
He would not amplify what
he meant by the statement about
Mr.. Truman.
The former President turned
down a subpoena last year to
testify before the committee aft
err Attorney General Herbert
BroWnell accused him Of pro-
noting a known subversive. No
other action was taken.
Pfc. John n. Dunn, Baltimore,
said:
"Our concerted stand will make
people realize why we stay here.
BY doing so we are putting the
anti-peace policies as contraSted
to our own peace policies in a
bright light for the people to
see and examine"
Sergt. Scott L. Rush, Mari
eta. Ohio, said:
THE decision was my own.
There was no intimidation, no
attempt to persuade me to stay
back. Rather. the Chinese many
times tried to tell me to go
back home. They told me so
many times that I got tired Of
hearing it. But ! was determined
to fight for peace and this was
the only place ! have the free
dom to do so. ! do not have
that freedom in the United
States"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-01-26
Reds Write Deal,
On Resuming Korea
Conference Monday
BY the Associassd Press

PANMUNJOM. Jan. 26.-The
Communists sent a sealed letter
to United States Envoy Arthur
Dean today proposing that the
stalled preliminary Korean peace
talks resume at Panmunjom
Monday-on Red terms. Peiping
Radio said tonight.
The letter was delivered at a
meeting Of liaison secretaries in
Panmunjom. The Reds then re-
cessed indefinitely efforts of liai-
son officers to start the talks
again.
(The State Department said
it is studying the letter ito
see whether there is anything
new in it," Ambassador Dean
plans to come to Washing
ton from New York shortly
to discuss the situation, a
spokesman added
The Communists indicated they
would await the outcome of the
high-level letter to Mr.. Dean.
The Peiping broadcast heard
in Tokyo quoted the letter as
saying the two top Red delegates
to conferences to plan the
Korean peace talks thought the
question Of resuming the con-
ference should be put to you
directly for settlement.
Peiping quoted the letter as
adding:
IF your side still has any sin
cerity Of resuming the discus
Sions. there is no justification
whatsoever for your side to re-
ject this proposal of our side"
The Reds said they would be
willing to consider an allied pro-
posal for another date to resume
the negotiations. But there was
no indication that the Commun-
lists were ready to withdraw their
charges of perf1dy which prompt
ed Mr.. Dean to break of the
talks.
A United Nations spokesman
said the allies would not divulge
contents Of the letter until it was
delivered to Mr.. Dean.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-01-26
347 Pro-Red Prisoners Tell
Their Story in Statement

North kOreanS back to their
captors without ever having
the chance to claim their right
to go home. Our conditions
can not be related with theirs.
But what can be related Is the
UNC's refusal to give us ex-
plantations and their refusal
to allow the KPA and CPV to
give explanations to the priS-
oners in the South. And also
related to this is the breaking
off of the political talks by
Arthur Dean, to prevent the
settlement Of the prisoners
problems by the Korean polit-
ical conference.
AS to ourselves. we are stay
ing of our own free will and
in spite of repeated efforts by
the Koreans and Chinese to
persuade us to return. Any
one of US has been able to re-
turn at any time since the
armiStice. as Gen. Thimayya
himself has admitted.
The Neutral Nations Repa-
triation Commission and Gus
todian force India. could have
and should have kept all pris-
oners in custody until expla-
nations were completed and
legally turned them into civil
ians. Failing this it was the
duty of the NNRC and CFI to
release us as civilians. They
did neither. This is their re-
sponsibility.
Understand Red Reasons.
We entirely understand why
the Korean and Chinese side
has refused to accept our re-
turns as POWs. This Is in our
interests as well as of the
KPA and CPV prisoners now
being forcibly drafted into the
ROK and Kuomintang armies.
II the Koreans and Chinese
had accepted. they would have
approved the violation of the
'armistice agreement by hand
ing over of KPA and CPV pris-
onerS to their enemies.
The Korean and Chinese
stand on this is legal and just
and the decision to return us
as prisoners of war is illegal.
II We were handed over as
prisoners of war the Koreans
and Chinese would have no
right under the armistice
agreement or international
law to declare us civilians.
Therefore we ask the Korean
and Chinese side to accept our
return. We ask the Korean
and Chinese authorities In &C
cepting our return, to consider
us as free men. In view Of
the wholesale breaches of the
agreement by the UNC, MIRO
and CFI. this appears to us
to be the only solution of the
problem. We earnestly hope
that the Korean and Chinese
side will agree.
Moreover. we demand a quick
settlement of the prisoner issue
as a whole. We protest the
UNC's obstruction of the po-
litical conference as a great
stumbling block in the way of
settling this issue,