The Cincinnati Enquirer from Cincinnati, Ohio • Page 93

icyr jf-nf SUNDAY MORMNG. MARCH 28, 1951 SECTION THREE SIXTEEN PAGES? STRICTLY THE CINCINNATI ENQUIRER EDITORIAL PAGE COMMENT ON THE NEWS TV-RADIO AMUSEMENTS REAL ESTATE GARDEN Thick Skin And Sense Of Humor Will Be Needed By New Manager BY JOHN F. CROXIN' (THE ENQUIRER CITY EDITOR I CINCINNATI soon will have a new city manager nd we'll know who is to blame for things again. But he should have a good time, providing he has thick ff 'A' sKin and a genuine sense or humor. I 3 1 i C.

A. Ilarrell met the qualif ica- tions for the job by getting tossed out of tne same kird of a jb in San I fTl -4v--. 1 it 1 V. nw KW II II 13 1 1 I I I i'fy? Antonio. Cincinnati wanted a man tf'i Ci wno knows now t0 'ose because noil if 1 1 nody can win with the present I mfmmm council.

If there are any more episodes like the recent comedy entitled 'City Finances," which enjoyed a record run at City Hall, Mr. Harreil will long lor the plains of Texas. Or maybe he'll just sit there hummin': "Ah look out over Jordan and what do ah see Then someone will nudge him and say something about the shadow of A. Whitehou.se. Confused Mr.

Harreil will wonder why Ike's being dragged into this. Someone will have to straighten him out on -that one. HE MIGHT ask Mr. Kellogg, but the former boss wouldn't be much help. He'd probably say: "Sorry, Mr.

Harreil, I'm trying to forget. I used to think the hi 1 V4: rrar i r. 5 'It '-Sf1 -If $25,000 they paid me was a lot of money, but I found 1 could do better as a bus boy!" So Mr. Harreil scratches his head and wonders what has happened -at City Hail since he left. Well, maybe the Irish stiil have a sense of humor! I'll ask them.

Whoops, that was a mistake. i 1 1 i a wants to knock the out of Kolly and Clancy is afraid to lower the boom because someone might think he's in favor of a depression. He'll be completely confused by all the puns popping on all sides of the new city manager. A Charterite will accuse him of Berry picking and a Republican will cry out: "I'd rather bs Rich than be (And Mr. Waldvogcl Home owners of one of Cincinnati's finest residential areas are up in arms over a proposal to change the zoning restrictions on a section of Madison Road.

They believe the change will work havoc on their peaceful neighborhood and bring down the value of their property. Pictured here are the two types of owners who have banded together to fight the change. Mrs. B. S.

Klayf, left, and her husband recently bought an old home at 4 Dexter PI. and are remodeling it. She is shown on her steps with her daughter, Barbara, 7. At right, Christopher Koehler of 2910 Wold stands in front of his handsome home to represent the veteran residents of the area who fear the change. Enquirer (Wellinger) Photos.

Fine Old Neighborhood Fights Zone Change The End Of Peace Are Convinced That Planning Director's Proposal Signals -He Believes Traffic Warrants New Classification Residents Of East Walnut Hills Section And Quiet- probably will agree.) It will all bo so confusing for a time that he'll probably demand PUNitivc damages. BUT MR. HARRELL will be wary of any mention of annexation. The ax fell in San Antonio alter a big controversy over the annexation of a little plot Texas amounting to about 79 square miles. That's a little bigger than the whole city of Cincinnati; but on the other hand, it's in Texas.

Nevertheless, after the brawl over annexation, the new Cincinnati manager wiLl be hesitant to move in on new territories. He'll just have to find out for himself that he's been taken for a ride when he goes on a Koch's tour. Then Mr. Harreil will scratch his head and wonder If this lingo isn't more perplexing than Texas English. Eventually he'll bin to think things out for himself end realize that it to get the neighborhood and since 1948 they have been slowly remodeling.

Now thev fear they will have to take a drastic loss if they have to sell as a result of the proposed zone change. ROBERT YOSMER of 1919 Gregory Ln one of the veteran residents of the area, predicted that if Cincinnati doesn't seek to protect single residence living areas "then Cincinnati will become another Chicago whe.e those who require single residence living areas are forc.nl to find them outside the city limits." He agreed that if East Walnut Hills were decaying, a change in zone would be fitting. But he described East Walnut Hills instead as a neighborhood of vitality. "As old residents die or move their homes have been bought and restored," ho added. "This process has gone on for 20 years and is occurring with increasing frequency today.

Eight new homes have been built on Gregory Lane alone. Homes are contemplated for lots on Kejs Crescent and Dexter Place, but the owners will not build if the zone is changed." Although the home ownen are well organized they haven't won over all their neighbors against the zone change. Morris Edwiirds, president of the Gruen Watch who lives at 1811 Madison Road, has given C-2 his blessing, describing it as in "excellent good sense" and a "balanced approach" to the realities of the area. SITU STATEMENTS are viewed with grave suspicions by the residents who are fighting the zone change. They believe that any person living in the neighborhood who isn't on their side is looking forward to tho day when the old homestead can be sold as business property rather than residential property.

This fight isn't a new one for the home owners. They have fought it out at least five times within the last 20 year and they are resigned to the thought "that even if they win this time they'll be faced with the same battle again next year or the year after that. But they are convinced that the sanctity of their homes is at stake. And they'll never drop their guards. large, expensive dwelling with beamed ceilings, multiple bathrooms and large fireplaces.

The Oriental carpeting and handsome paintings are right at home. A wide, sweeping, carefully tended lawn leads up to the door. Mrs. Koehler is thp second generation of her family to live in the line home. She was married in it and so were her children.

Someday she wants to see her grandchildren married in it But she is thoroughly worried about what the neighborhood will look like when that event takes place. She would like it to appear as it does now hut she tears that if the zoning is changed it will more closely resemble Filth and Vim Streets, Not all of the residents are like the Koehlers and not all of them are so well off. Sir. and Mrs. Robert Sammis, the parents of throe small children, freely admitted that they went "way out on a limb" when they purchased their home at 2998 Annwood St.

"Our equity in our home," Mr. Sammis said, "is our life Like many other young couples. Mr. and Mrs. Sammis bought an old house ing the zoning could be changed to D.

But that option was taken before the home owners began storming meetings of the planning commission declaring vehemently that they would fight the change. The option expires April 5 and it appears that Hospital Care will be just as glad. An official of the corporation said last week that "we may not be interested any longer in the property." CHRISTOPHER L. commissioner of school housing for the Board of Education, aiuf the occupant of a very handsome home at 2040 Wold is in the vanguard of the home owners. He recently stated that there arc 112 homes in the area and that occupants of 79 of these homes signed a petition voicing their disapproval.

He claimed that he contacted the occupants of only 86 of these homes and he is convinced that with a little more effort he can increase the number of signers. Mr. Koehler's home is fairly typical of the area. It is a whole problem. In his repoi to the planning commission, he declared that the new zoi.e "would produce a land-use pai-tern adaptable to the advantages a thoroughfare location in combination with ti.e restrictions on building necessary for the protection of adjacent areas devoted exclusively to residential use and principally to single family homes." He did not develop the proposed new zone for Mad'-son Road solely.

He believes that there are several areas in Cincinnati where it could usefully applied. FOUR PETITIONS to change the zoning are now awaiting action but the battle between the aroused home owners and Mr. Harnish seems to have been brought to a head by the interest the Hospital Care Corp. hn.l shown in two tracts of land owned by the Dominican Nuns and the Archdiocese of Cincinnati on the north side of Madison-Road opposite Elmhurst Place. Hospital Care took an option on the property and announced that it would be interested in buying it and erecting an office building on it provid- all a olay on words.

So he'll laugh at the joke on him and reply: "Now I understand your language so let's Vt down to business." "OK, bub, but remember if you want lo cook on the front burner you better hang your hat on the Bacn-rach." Then Gilhgan pick up some legitimate business. And tiie new manager will be cquitted of justifiable homicide. i a 1 1 things will quiet down and the Texan will wace himself: "Will you all shush your great big ole mouth and tell me who that pretty little ole Lone Star is sittin' there among them nasty ole "Why ya don't say. Mali wife's a Dorothy, too." He Has Earned The Trust Of Geniuses If I'll 1'- I Ah if-- PI ace In Sun I 1 hi) -it- BY CHARLES WARNICK WELL-TO-DO residents of a fine old Cincinnati neighborhood have formed their battle lines to thwart a proposed change in the zoning of a half-mile stretch of Madison Road. Owners of expensive homes along such handsome, tre-j-shaded streets as Wold Avenue, Keys Crescent, Annvvood Street and Gregory Lane in East Walnut Hills foresee only one thing in the proposed change the end of the tranquility they have enjoyed for so many years.

Replacing peace and quiet and gentle living, they believe, will be office buildings housing beauty parlors, stores, restaurants and other money-making concerns; heavy traffic, squealing brakes, blaring horns and dangerous intersections. Their handsome, wide-lawned properties, they predict, will drop 35 per cent in value almost over night. GEORGE HARMSH. Cincinnati's acting director of planning and the man who brewed the tempest with his recommendation or a zone change, doesn't believe that urban bedlam will be transported in toto to the residential area if the rezoning is authorized. But there seems little chance that he can bring the irate people who formed the "East Walnut Hills Zone Preservation Association" around to his way of thinking.

The members of the association, which was formed for the sole purpose of fighting tiie proposed change, are convinced that it will start their area on the dark road of "blight," leaving Madison Road just another gloomy Auburn Avenue within a few years. Rather than to continue living in a neighborhood with such an unlovely future, many of the people make heavy threats about "moving out to Indian Hill," a drastic step which the city certainly would find deploring. Mr. Harnish's recommendation call for the rezoning of all the Madison Road frontage on both sides of the street from Hackberry Street to Elmhurst Avenue. This frontage is now zoned "residence which prohibits the building of anything other than single-family residences.

Mr. Harnish recommended the establishing of a new zone, C-2. and suggested that it be applied to the Madison Road property. ThLs new zone aHows the construction ot office buildings provided they aon't exceed 45 feet in height. THE ACTING planning director believes that the heavy traffic which now flows over" Mai i-son Road it has been estimator! at 14,000 vehicles daily militates against preserving the frontage for single-family dwelling purposes.

He believes that this opinion is born out by that some of the hoira owners on Madison Road ha' built walls along their in an attempt to minimize th-? disturbing influences of heavy traftic. But changing the pmprrn a classification could, he conceded, work a hardship on interior streets running nortn and south off Madison Road. And that is why he has suggested the creation of the new zone, "Residence C-2." Mr. Mannish obviously believes that th new zone is the answer to the 1 F- tiff Mr. Mertes himself reached only the orchestra pit of the Capitol Theater, playing there when it was opened April 1921.

He deserted the rues and skips when his violin simp became sufficiently profitable. He buys all the wool for his violins in Saxony. Ceimany, through a buyer named "Pete" Peterson, who exults "extra, extra line" when he purchases wood in the 80-year-old class. Other wood purchased by him in his purpose of providing the best tone for violin and cello is 40 and 60 years old. lie has a few pieces of w.xid undoubtedly more than 3uO veai's old.

They boar the name of Nicola Amati ot Ciemona, Italy, and were purchased bv a World War I soldier, Euen Mundid. in Ciemona. and taken to Grand Rapids, where they were purchased by Mr. Mertes. Tho master violin maker.

Amati. lived in Cremona from ir to lhSt and is ranked with Antonio Stradivari, tiiunep-pp (tiierneri and tii Bat lua" d.ignini. A To MtiKl viohn will improve in tone in 50 to 75 years, it played, will not improve if not played. Cheap 10-lms will not improve. A violin more than years old will be admitted duty free through I', S.

customs. It is regarded as an antique, as crown jewels are regarded as antiques. New violins from Europe leok old. They're made to look that ay. Mr.

Mertes can name the maker ot an old violin without looking at the label, he says, if it's a good violin. He knows the work of all the gxxi violin makers. More than 1M0 persons a year send their violins to tor cert. lied classiticat'on as to maker. He's that well known.

His work is that well respected It should be. When a violin is damaged, only one bit ot wxxl is glued into place in a day. The next day, another bit. or strip, is added. And so on.

until the job is done. The patient job ot a master craftsman. BY JACK K.VMKV ALBERT V. MERTES posses-ses more patience than a tight poker player. He repairs violins.

Been doin' it for 41 years in his Violin Shop, 22 12th St. Been doin it for 53 years altogether, first as an apprentice for Ad Spieker at E. 13th then in a shop at Twelfth and Race, so the neighborhood knows him well. His friends and customers among violinists and 'cellists have numbered the geniuses, the greats, the near greats, the technicians and the mediocre. There was Maestro Eugenr Ysayc, who certainly as one oi the world's greatest violinists it not the gjeatest and who was conductor of the Cincinnati symphony.

Mr. Mertes not only maintained Ysaye's $50,000 violin in the finest condition possible lor that rare instrument. He literally slept with it. for he remained in his shop all night when the violin was there. The possibility of theft didn't worry him so much as the possibility of damage if fire were to strike his shop El'GEXE YSAYE and Albert Mertes were friends.

Mr. Mertes still speaks wonderingly of the power and deftness in ihe great hands of Ysaye. He speaks with a twinkle of the check his trie nd sent him trom Europe for the last work upon his violin in Cincinnati, a check received six months after the maestro's departure and a check Mr. Mertes didn't care if he ever receivd. Then there was the living master of the cello.

Pablo C'as-al. regarded as the greatest master of all time. Mr. Merte aid Pablo Casals now was living in Belgium, where he still makes his great records wlvn the work is brought to him. A C'atalonian.

Pablo CaaU left Spam in opposition to Franco Pablo Casals' S60. i cello was given to him by the Que ot Belgium and. in Cincinnati, was attended by Mr. Mertes with the identical care he had lavished upon Eugene Ysaye's violin. BY MARGARET BIRCH MODERN-DAY practical nurses, women who are trained to run homes from the preparation of meals to the laundering of diapers, have stepped into their rightful places as important members of the community.

At some time or other every family, needs the services of a nurse. A mother and new baby arrive home Irom the hospital. The illness of an elderly relative runs into weeks, then months. The feminine chieftain of the family unexpectedly falls ill or is painfully injured. Then the problem looms.

Is a registered nurse necessary? Can the family afford it? Will it be necessary to get extra help to take care of the home or children or both? WHEN THE PATIENT is not acutely ill these seemingly insurmountable problems often can be solved in one fell swoop with the aid ot a kind, efficient practical nurse. The practical nurse, of course, can't take the olace of a registered nurse in cases of serious illnesses. She can't for example, administer hypodermic medicines. But she can give simple medicines. She can bathe the ill person.

And she can take over the complete running of a household, performing duties that registered nurses won't do. Practical nurses have received high praise from medical men. Dr. Stanley E. Dorst, dean of the College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, has credited the rise of practical nursing courses in the United States with being a great help in the battle against the shortage of registered nurses in the United States.

When a family is able to overcome an illness with the aid of practical nurse it means one more registered nurse has been released for duty in hospitals or for the care of a patient who is in desperate need of highly skilled care. CINCINNATI'S practical nurses are receiving their training at the Seton School of Practical Nursing of Good Samaritan Hospital and at Central High where a course is sponsored by the Board of Education. The first four months of training are devoted to classroom study. The last eight months ot the one-year course find the students engaged in actual hospital work. At Selon the students are paid $55 a month from the fourth to the eighth month During the final four months they receive a month.

The fjition is $135. At Central High the course is offered tuition free to Cincinnati residents. After the first four months of classroom training students receive $80 a month. pi i in in in 1 1 Alfred Mertes is grafting a neck into the old scroll of a violin run over by a taxicab in Lexington, Ky. Mr.

Mertes replaced its sides, glued and blocked in 50 small pieces, provided a new base bar and cleats. The violin lies before him. Enquirer (Wellingcri Photo. Ysaye, was a friend and eu-tom-er of Mr. Mertes.

So was the lite Emit Iteerni.inn and so is hs brother. Walter tho cellist. On his desk weic cards sent ti him by the Cincinnati Sym phony's Han Meuser. iust bassoon." and Erie halwn, first violin, and Herb violin, when on tour. As A BAs and tub player, and blocked in ISO small pieces until no Utimage was apparent on the exterior, had provided a new base bar and More than jwr cent "i symphonv cellists and vioiinist-bring their instruments to him When Billy hnov sat upon his violin.

Mr. Mertes repaiied it. sold it when Billy Knox obtained another. The late J-an Ten Ha, a violinist and pupil ot THE C'AE for the masters cello, also a gift from the Qjeen was s'udded with 'jewels forming the royal family's coat arms. The superb craftsman that he is.

Mi. Mertes now is completing work upon a violin broken into at least 60 pieces It had been run over bv a taxicab in Lexington. For 575 Mr. Mertes had replaced its sides, had glued.