davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-05-07
accusations
Are "MaIiciOus
Lies anthony
Deneritt Says

Anthony Demeritt, sus-
pended chairman Of the
Overseas Road and Toll
Bridge District Commission,
today tagged reports that
he and his family had used
the facilities at the Pigeon
Key headquarters of the
district on an average OF
twice a month, as a "ma-
licious lie."
In a statement to The Citizen
today, Demeritt replied to charges
levelled by one Walter Woodside,
a former employee of the district
who told Dade County Solicitor
John Marsh of the alleged visits
by Demeritt to Pigeon Key.
Marsh has admitted that the
statements are uncorroborrated
and that he has no evidence that
they are true. Marsh was assigned
to the investigation by Acting
Governor Charley Johns.
Malicious Lie
Demeritt's statement:
81 brand as a completely mali
cious lie, the statement made by
Walter Woodside that I had used
the facilities at Pigeon Key at
least twice a month. In the four
and a half years that I was
member of the commission, my
family was on Pigeon Key exactly
three times.
"My particular family consists
of, in my case, my wife, one single
daughter, one married daughter
with two of her children, and my
father and mother, since we all
live together.
at is not hard to visualize the
hardship rather than the pleasure
of attempting to transport fam
lily of this size on a trip Of any
kind" ss
Invitations Given
although invitations were ex
tended often to visit, they were
accepted only on the three occa
sions mentioned.
SIN the entire time mentioned
Continued On Page Seven)
The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-05-07
Mrs. LucasIs
Named ToPost
ForC.OfC.

Mrs. Kathleen Lucas, owner. and
manager of Lucas Electric, has
been elected Chairman of the Re
tail Division of the Key West
Chamberof Commerce, filling a
vacancy created last week by the
resignation of J. E. Tucker of S.
H. Kress and Co.
+ The announcement of Mrs. Lucas
election was made at Wednesdays
meeting by Mrs. Mary Lee Ora.
ham, president of the Chamber OF
Commerce, who then turned over
the conducting of the balance Of
the meeting to Mrs. Lucas.
First on the agenda was the
establishing of Thursday afternoon
store closing to start at p. m.
this coming Thursday, May 10, and
continue all Thursdays throughout
the summer season.
Parade Entry
Next it was. tentatively decided
that the Retail Merchants Divi'
sion will enter a float in the com
ing Armed Forces Day Parade on
May 18th, and Mrs. Hannah Baer,
of Ideal Toys, was appointed
chairman in charge Of this project
Further details are to be worked
mittee, and plans for the merch,
ants Armed Forces Day float will
be published within the next few
days.
other projects were also discuss
ed, but plans are not sufficiently
developed for announcement al
this time.
All in all, however, it appears
that Mrs. Lucas is going to have
a busy division to work with as
the Retail Merchants intend tt
maintain the momentum gained ii
their Division by the recent highly
successful Easter Parade. Ant
Wednesdays meeting closed witt
everyone wishing Mrs. Lucas sue
cess in her craftsmanship, and as
surfing her of their full cooperation
The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-05-07
|NoEviidence
Says Marsh
Will Take No Action
Against Key Wester;
Demeritt Innocent
OF Charges Made

Special Prosecutor John
D. Marsh last night told The
Citizen that in his investiga-
ton of the Overseas Road
and Toll Bridge District he
had found nothing to corrob-
crate Walter Woodside's
charges against Anthony
Demeritt, former chairman
of the Overseas Road and
Toll Bridge District, and that
he would take no action
against the Key Wester.
Marsh said that he was
sorry that the story was re-
leased concerning Wood
sides charges in regard to
Demeritt. The Dade Coun-
tian emphasized that he did
not want to discredit Wood
side, but what zone man says
about another is not evil
dence."
Nothing that I have
heard regarding him, de-
meritt) would cause me to
take any action against him
without corroborating evil
dence and that I have failed
to find"
The soft-spoken Miami
state attorney declared that
the story got out in the pap
ers because newspapermen
brought Woodside to him,
and Woodside's statement
Continued on Page Severn
The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-05-07
Stevens Tells
fThreatsIn
SchineCase
Army Secretary
Swears To Truth
Of His Testimony

WASHINGTON R1Secretary of
the Army Stevens swore today that
Sen. McCarthy's aides threatened
him if Pvt. G. David Schine failed
to get favored treatment.
They made exceedingly seri.
Gus" threats, Stevens told the Sen.
ate subcommittee investigating the
McCarhy-Army row.
And, Stevens declared, he had
distinct impression from McCar-
thy, as well as from the senator's
aides, that the more the Army did
for Schine the less "hammering"
the Army would be subjected to
from the Mccarthy committee.
Schine, a member of a wealthy
New York family, was an unpaid
consultant to the MCCARTHY sub.
committee until he was drafted
last fall.
The McCarthy-Army row re-
wolves about Army contentious the
sssfator and h. Aldes made inn
proper efforts to get preferential
treatment for Schine and McCar-
thy's counter charges the Army
tried to shut off the senator's in
vestigations of Communists in the
Army.
Mccarthy hammered questions
at Stevens and the usually mild
hammered secretary, in his 18th
day in the witness chair, snapped
back with sharpness not dis
played before.
Pressed by Mccarthy to say
whether Roy M. Cohn, the McCar-
thy subcommittee's chief counsel,
and Francis P. Carr, its staff di-
rector, had ever threatened" him,
Stevens maintained they had.
He said that because of the SUBJ
committees search for espionage
at Fl. Monmouth, NJ, "taken in
conjunction with the constant dis
cussion of Schine. it was my feel
ing that they were threatening
me-"
IF I did not do something, they
CONTINUED on Page Seven)
The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-05-07
Rotary:He':ars
School
Students Speak
Pinder And Ramos
Present Contest
Speeches AT Meet

"An American Citizens Rights
and Responsibilities Under the Con.
stitution" and Courteous Motor
Manners and How to Promote
Them" were the topics Of speeches
by two high school speech students
at the regular luncheon meeting Of
the Key West Rotary Club on
Thursday.
Ronnie Pinder, who placed third
in his first speech competition in
the South Florida contest held in
Miami recently under the sponsor.
ship. Of the Knights Of Pythias,
urged that drivers apply the same
courtesy while driving as they
would in . social situation.
He said that life is made up Of
little things and that a second car
mean the difference between Life
and death when driving car. iHt
continued n al ~ parents end
adults to ses Z 800 Pc 4ol
younger drivers.
Driver Courtesy
He cited several examples Of
courtesy while driving and com
pared them with similar situations
calling for courteous behavior ir
ones contacts with other persons
He said, "While most of us would
not dream Of pushing ahead in
line, how many are guilty of crowd
ing another car waiting for a ligh1
to changer" %s
In closing, Pinder said thai
speed is the No. killed and urged
that drivers observe the speed
laws and at all times be alert L
changed driving conditions.
The highway safety contest is q
nationwide project Of the knight.
of Pythias.
Rames Speaks
Charles Ramos, winner of the
10th district title in the nationa
American Legion-sponsored speech
contest, said that Americans otter
take the fact that they are Am
orleans for granted.
He further said that it is time to
stand up and be counted. He asked
"How often have we said, 4 an
an American and realized what
rights and responsibilities are con
tanned in that simple statement
Continuing, Ramos said that oul
forefathers in drafting the first ter
Continued On Page Seven)
The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-05-07
Giving OF Gamma Clobulin
Extended Through Saturday

to leave their homes, they can
visit the clinic any day next week
for their shots.
Meanwhile, children through IA
years of age and expectant moth
ers were streaming to three
schools and the Naval Hospital to.
day for GIG shots.
Up until noon, at Poinciana
School, 412 persons had received
the temporary polio preventative
At the high school. 15S persons
had received shots.
The Naval Hospital and Poincia'
Continued on Page Seven)
The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-05-07
Elk Toll Road
Head Protests
WOOdside Story
Reports Conflict.

Whs Is kidding wire sbevf
the testimony Walter Weedside
save to John D. Marsh, spec.
ial prosecutor In HE Toll dis
friet probe?
The Citizen was told today
by . responsible source that
Woodsids testified before Marsh
al Pigeon Key at l7:1s p. m.
Yesterday.
The Miami Daily News and
HE. Associated Press had HE
Woodside story before that
time.
The same source told The
Citizen that The Miami Daily
News got me story Wednesday
from Woodsids.
Apparently Woodsids testified
for HE Miami Daily News and
then for Marsh on the following
day.
The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-05-07
TRUESDELL TO SPEAK
At AF DAY DINNER

Captain w. H. Truesdell, Com
School, will be guest speaker at
the Armed Forces Day Kickoff
Dinner sponsored by the Key West
Lions Club at the La Concha Hotel
on Thursday, May Is, at S:15
p. m.
Captain Truesdell will speak on
Power for Peace"
Reservations for the full course
dinner must be made by Monday,
May 10, and may be obtained at
the Sunny Isle Luncheonette, 90l
White Street.
The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-05-07
Red-Led Rebels Take French Fortress
Diem Bien Phu Falls After
81 Days OF Bloody Fighting
BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Diem Bien Phu has fallen.

Premier Joseph Laniel announced late TODAY the
northwest Indochina bastion "has been submerged"
little fortress named Isabelle, site of the French
Union garrsons main artillery, still was holding out three
miles south of the booded muddied bastion that had
eptomzed the Indochina to the world for 81 days.
The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-05-07
KEY VESTS.
TRAFFIC BOX SCORE.

Two accidents which occur.
red yesterday brought the toll
for the month of May up to
eight - an average of slightly
more than one per day.
Both mishaps were caused
by carelessness which is get
ting to be an old story.
One happened when a car
backed into parked vehicle
and the other was caused when
the sun blinded a driver.
More than $3.50 in damage
was caused in the crashes.
The total amount of damage
in the accidents for 1854 is fast
approaching the 1853 mark. It
amounts to $50,641 - in 1858
there was only $50, 600 in da-
mage for the entire year.
The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-05-07

one OF the last orders
Brig. Gen. Christian de Cas-
tries, the lanky commander
in chief, sent to Isabelle was
to fire on his own command
post when the Communist
led rebel riflemen finally
cut through.
There was no immediate word
as to the fate of Gen. De Castries,
commander of the fallen garrison,
nor that of Genevieve de Galard
Terraube, a French nurse and the
only woman in the besieged fort.
She had been decorated for gallan-
try twice within the week.
Counte1attacks
Premier Laniel told the National
Assembly counterattacks had been
launched in a vain effort to block
the rebels from making a juncture
in attacks from the northeast and
the southwest, but the defense ef-
forts failed.
"The government has just
learned that Diem Bien Phu has
been submerged after 20 hours of
uninterrupted combat" Laniel
said.
Laniel said "the French reaction
will be the reaction of the virility
of a great nation
He added that France viii con-
firm its instructions to its dele
gates at Geneva without admitting
that the fall Of Diem Bien Phu can
change anything.
Z france VIII recall u les Allies
that during seven years it has
never quit defending alone a great
region Of ASIA" Laniel told the
Assembly.
News To Geneva
ALI the deputies in the Assembly
stood while Laniel announced the
fall Of Diem Bien Phu-except the
Communists. They remained
seated.
Gen. Ho Nguyen Chaps rebel
siege forces, bidding for victory
before the Geneva conference
started negotiations for an end to
the 7.year-old war, outnumbered
De Castries' garrison by 4-to-1 or
more.
De Gastries was estimated on
the eve of the showdown battle to
have 1900 men, including
wounded, at his command. These
were Frenchmen, Foreign Legion
naires, Vietnamese and North At
ricanS. There were about 1000
wounded in underground bunkers
of the fort. All efforts for a truce
to evacuate them had failed.
The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-05-07
Public Hearing For
Ousted Policeman
Civil.Service Board Tells Chief
To Re-lnstate Cop Until Hearing
BY jim COBB

The Civil Service Board last night refused to uphold
charges against suspended Key West police officer and
public hearing into the for next Thursday night
The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-05-07
LOPEZ TO FILL In
ATLAUDERDALE COURT

Circuit Court Judge Aquilino Lo-
PEI, Jr., will leave here Sunday
for a weeks work in Fort Lauder
dale, he said today.
The Judge will be sitting in Cir
cult Court there in place of an alb
sent judge. Judge Lopez said he
did not know if he would hear
criminal or civil cases.
The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-05-07
Woman Is Called
In Road Probe

A subpoena for Maxine Wood, OF
Marathon, was issued yesterday by
John D. Marsh. Dade County soil
citor, who was appointed special
investigator in the toll district
probe.
The subpoena called for her to
appear at Pigeon Key immediate
ly. Marsh has interviewd about 20
witnesses in closed sessions at Pi-
geon Key and Islamorada. 1t was
reported that Miss Wood works in
a fishing tackle shop at Marathon.
The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-05-07

For Quick Communication.
Use CLASSIFIED Adsl You'll
reach buyers ond sellers
tenants or workers Inst
DIAL 2-566l or 2-ss62.
The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-05-07

Inc move came as the lat
est development in a wide
spread series of firings, sus-
pensions and designations in
the police department in re-
cent weeks.
A petition bearing about 400
names defending the officer was
brought to the board at their re-
gular meeting last night. In addi-
ton, Criminal Court Judge Thomas
S. Caro- and City Commissioner
Louis Carbonen appeared on his be-
half.
Alleged AWoL
The officer, Patrolman Henry
Roberts, was suspended for Is
days by Acting Chief Bienvenido
Perez on April 20 for alleged abb
sence from duty without leave. And
last night, a letter was addressed
to the board from City Manager
Victor Lang was presented recon-
mending that Roberts be perman-
emily separated from the city's en-
ploy.
Roberts, Negro, had been sta
toned in the coiored section of the
city.
However, Carbonell, who said
that he appeared as a private citi-
zen, protested to the board that
Roberts should be given a hearing
before they acted. He pointed out
that Roberts had requested the
hearing within five days of his sus-
pension as required by law.
Severe Punishment
Carbonell added that the punish
ment recommended was unusual
ly severe.
Several recent cases were cited
the meeting where police officers
had received only short suspen-
sions for infractions considerably
more serious than what Roberts
was accused of.
Roberts allegedly took an unau-
thorized day off. He said that he
miscalculated by one day, and
started his monthly three day leave
one day early.
Board chairman Isabel Fleming
then moved that Roberts be given
"a public hearing and that Acting
Chief Perez and City Manager
Lang be present and bring with
them all records of the case.
Ordered Re.instated
The board also moved to instruct
Perez to re-instate Roberts to his
post until the hearing is held.
ADD HEARING SET tag
Judge Caro-, in addition to speak
ing on Roberts behalf. submitted
a letter of protest to the board.
Caro- said that he had no interest
in the case except that he wanted
to see Roberts kept on the job
because he is the best man they
have"
These people are going to suffer
if this man is fired" said Judge
Caro- pointing to the large audience
of colored Key Westers present at
the meeting.
Honest and Courteous
Judge Caro's letter:
81 have been informed that Hen
ny Roberts has been suspended as
a police officer and has requested
a hearing before the board. / have
known this officer for several
years and he is honest and cour-
teous. In my experience with him,
l have found him to be an excel
lent officer. feel confident that
Continued on Page Seven)
The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-05-07
No Action Taken
By Grand Jury

Monroe covnty's busy grand
Jury was In session today but
up until noon had taken no
action.
The body was expected to re-
turn an indictment yesterday
but failed to do 50.
The same rUnor was floating
around The county court house
today.
Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1954-01-29

and herein lies the aignifIcanee Of
tinued 70 obey this ''lincIean king"
king" The people, however, con-
King Ussiah's death. In the year
that King Ussiah died, ] saw also
the Lord sitting upon q throne,
high and lifted up and his train
niied the temple" Our speaker
pointed out that at King Ussiah's
death God began TO reign In the
hearts OF men. As long az the
'leped king or ''unclean spirit"
reigns, God cannot.
Liquor was cited as one OF the
'leper kings" Of today. II was
pointed out that 4S billion dollars
are spent each year for liquor and
crime as compared 10 the z billion
spent for educational facilities and
III billion for churches and spirit
ual development.
People are asking IL there are
any signs that things are going to
change--thAt this one-sided waste
Of money would change. We were
told that Il would change with the
lifting Of the spiritual power In
America.
Rev. Hognander's closing re-
mark was that II II not the drunk
ards who are our greatest prob
lem, but the glorified cocktail
parties In the home which are set
ting the example.
As long as the 'unclean spirit"
reigns. God cannot.-K. Chivers,
reporter.
Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1954-01-29

various sections Of the city who
otherwise would not have the op-
portunlty 10 hear the Gospel and
to receive Christian training.
Tho church believes In and
teaches as the plan % salvation
faith IN Christ - Lord and Savior
HIS blood atonemsnt for sin. con.
feSSiOn % Christ before men. hap
tisrn BY immersion. calling upon
the name Of the Lord. and cody
living.
First Communion intends 90
carry on for the extension Of
Christ's Kingdom. A more tnten.
sive campaign moves forward 20
bring IN more souls to salvation
~ demonstrated BY cur slogan-
More In Sc.
Next sunday, January 81. We
win havS Ss guest speaker, Rev
Richard Houtssr. who ls back in
the city after . quarter Of study
At Union Theological Seminary
Rev, Houtser has been . very
worthy member frcFn the incep-
tion Of tho church and he also
serves a. deacon.
Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1954-01-29

vt. JAMES A.M.E. CHURCH
Rev. E. }. Jones' message for
the morning service. Tho Chal-
lsnge Of Today" was one which
would stimulate much thinking
and self-searching but brought
out many Amens. The Invocation
for the morning was given by
Deaconeas Bertha Martin. The
ChoFalisrs and Senior Choir
served. Mrs. Bette Morris and
Misa Venear Bell united with the
church and were fellowshlped by
the officers.
Visitors wornhlpping at the
morning service were Bette Nor
ris. Mr.. and Mrs. Williams OF 356
81 Anthony Av. and Mrs. N. N.
Craft OF Border NJ. II. Church,
Minneapolis. All were welcomed
by Rev Jones. Mr.. william l..
Martin II the newly appointed
member OF the Steward Board and
was elected Treasurer Of the
Board.
AHo SaNueu2ttN& khVu WHY
fine program. under the sponsor
ship OF the Senior Choir at 7!30
p. m. Under the direction Of Mr..
John Whitaker. they rendered
numbers from some Of our finest
composers: Bach. Handel. Cesar
Franck. Hyden. Teresa Del Riego
with spiritual arrangements by
Harry T, Burleigh and John Whit
Mker.
pastor win be the speaker at the
Mrs. Il. J. Jones, wife Of the
Charles Jacob Missionary Society
Missionary Service, Sunday. Jan
uary n at $50 p. m. Mrs. Pearl
Fitzgerald In chairman Of the pro-
gram committee.
The Sunday school board win
meet Friday January 20, at 8
p. IN. In the officers room. All
teachers and officers OF the Sun
day school are urged to be pre-
sent.
A Valentine Day tea. February
II at the home OF Mr.. and Mrs.
Olive A, Gum. 7s3 Igiehart Az.
and the White House tea at the
church February n are two
events toward which we are look.
ing and hope you. our friends, will
enjoy them with Us.
Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1954-01-29

ST. RLEEh'S A.M-E. CMU@CH
For those OF you who have not
already heard. our minister, Rev.
Simmons has been confined to
Fairvisw Hospital where he un-
derwent an appendectomy. HIS
condition Ia reported favorable and
In expected TO be home at the end
Of this week.
The cast for the play, The I'm
lighted Cross II rehearsing now.
II In to be presented Sunday. Feb.
IL. This promises TO be another
interesting play and we're sure
youll enjoy II. Keep the date in
mind.
In the absence Of our minister.
our guest speaker was Rev. Hog
nander Of the United Temperance
Movement. Rev. Hognander told
US first Of all that his movement
was emphasizing three things: ed
ucation, prevention and rehabih-
tation as q means Of alleviating
the liquor problem.
His text was IsiAh ell TN the
year that King Ussiah died I
saw also the Lord sitting upon a
throne, high and lifted up and
his train filled the temple" The
question was asked. What II the
deathH King UssiAh became king
significance Of King Ussiah's
at a very early age, 10 years TO
be exact. He became filled with
pride, literally intoxicated with
II. One day he went down to the
temple TO light the incense. a cere-
mony given only to the priest. As
he started down the aisle with the
incense. the Lord struck him with
leprosy. He was thenceforth fore
ed TO live on the outskirts of the
city and was called the ''unclean
Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1954-01-29
First Communion
Church 70 Observe
BiFRhdCy, Feb. J
ny First Communlsa Reporter

-
The first anniversary OF First
Communion Christian Church,
founded February 4, 1888 by its
pastor, Rev. James c. Hodge. win
be observed Sunday, February z.
1854 at the IL - m. service.
Services are now being held reg
ulariy AZ the Downtown Mime
aPolis YMCA with the Sunday
school meeting at 1890 and morn
ing worship beginning at II q. m.
The church. . non-denomina-
tional interraCial group repre-
sents solution TO practice Of dis
elimination In the American
church according TO races. n al.
No abolishes UNCONVENTIONAL dis
tinetion, relying upon the Scrip
turrs for church doctrine and DIS
eipline.
The church stands for unity o.
all Christians On q biblical basis
The ehurch's first year % his
tory demonstrates the fact thar
the church founded by Christ 10 IN
the community to ElOrify nus holy
name and 20 Slleviateing human
misery wherever and whenever
possible.
Since its interracial beginning
last February. First COmmunlon
has been used % God to turn man.
woman. ard child from sin 10
CHRIST. n has been used 20 bring
10 sunday School children frum
Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1954-01-29
SENIOR MISSIONARY
SOCIETY PROGRAM
AT ZION SUNDAY

On the NTH Sunday. January
n, AZ the morning service the
Senior Missionary Society Of
Zion win sponsor q lovely program
Mrs, Dora Hardy win talk on our
missionary theme. title. Con.
Structlvu and Destructive Forces"
Our pastor, Rev, Botts win bring
the sermon IT'S subject win be
Family ProblsmA,"
The Ursula Matruna Missionary
Society u invited 20 ait with the
senior society The evening pro-
gram win feature our pastors
wife. Mrs. y, Bolts. who win bring
echoes from the national convpn.
ton held In Hot Springs. Ark, All
that win are welcome 10 attend
this wonderful event.
Officers include Mrs, Mamie
Lytle, president, Mrs, Ida Mae
Young, general secy, and Mrs, n.
Henderson. reporter