Diario las Américas., 1958-05-11

INOlN-T O11llCAL SEnlS
year, Harold Colee outdid himself.
AS Executive Vice President of
the Florida State Chamber of Co.
merce, he stages the annual Flori-
da dinner in Washington. He has
made it the top event in the Wa
Shington-Florida social calendar.
And as we said, the 1858 show was
his best yet.
The dinner is a part of the an
nual meeting of the United States
Chamber of Commerce meeting
here. From Florida came many of
the top business big-wigs. Every
one in Washington with any Flori-
da connection tried to make the
dinner. Tickets: 1880 per person.
James Melton, Florida boy who
made good in grand opera, was
guest of honor. He sang several of
his best - including September
Song" Later he teamed with Miss
Barbara Meister, lyric soprano, in
a duet arrangement of Eel Ran
cho Grande." Also on the musical
program were the "Gay Boleros,"
the trumpet section of the 1875
piece West Palm Beach High
School band, passing through Wa
shington on a concert and sight
seeing tour.
In line at the reception were Mr..
and Mrs. Claude j. Yates. Mr. va
ties is president of the Florida Sta
tie Chamber of Commerce and is
vice-president of the Southern Bell
Telephone and Telegraph Compa-
ny, of Jacksonville. Mr.. and Mrs.
Harold Colee were next, followed
by the entire Florida. Congressio-
nal Delegation and their wives.
Special guests included most Of
of the Ambassadors of the Latin
American Countries and Of Cana
da.
Other outstanding guests inclu-
ded: former Governor of Florida
Doyle E. Carlton, now serving on
the Presidents Civil Rights Com
mission; former Congressman Bill
Lantaff, of Miami, and his wife,
Betty; Carl D. Brorein, President,
Peninsular Telephone Company,
of Tampa; w. J. Clapp, President,
Florida Power Corporation, st,
Petersburg; General E. A. Evans,
City Manager of Miami: Robert
H. Fite, President, Florida Power
and Light Company, Miami; Mr.,
and Mrs. Walter L. Hays, of Orlan'
do; Mr. and Mrs, Laurence F. Lee,
Jacksonville.
Mr. Lee is a past president OF
the United States Chamber of Co
mmerce and was one of the spea'
kers. (He is worried about the ma.
ny problems facing our railroads. }
Mr.. Colee turned in his usual ex-
cellent job as POSTMASTER and each
of the members of the C~ongressio-
nal Delegation was called on for
a speech. (None declined. Con-
gresham Bill Cramer of st. Pc.
tersburg came in for the brunt OF
much fun and kidding because he
is the only Republican member
from Florida
As usual at this dinner con-
gresham Billy Matthews stole the
show with his humorous antics.
On this occasion he called for the
help of Congressman Bob Skies,
but from the beginning it was a
onesided performance. Skies acted
as his end-man as Mr.. Billy gave a
satirical demonstration of how a
speech is made on the floor of the
House. At times in the skit, Ma
tthews neared the heights of great
ness-greatness because his humor
came so close to the truth.
Also as usual, affable Cliff Da-
venport, Director of Advertising
for Florida's Silver Springs, pla'
yed host at the Press Table for
the Washington newsmen who re-
gularly cover the Florida "beat.'
Most interesting bit of gossip ca
rried away by the ladies was an
item dropped by Florida's bachelor
member of the House, Paul Rogers,
He limited that his bride-to-be had
been chosen, and that the big
event might come It any time,
who Is she? when?