BOOM! BOOM!

The sick man vehemently denies that he is sick, Florida Rotarians and Realtors would have the world know that, in spite of the late unpleasantness, their state is still the earthly paradise. That there was a slight frolic of the elements, that rain drops fell, that breezes blew--all this the Floridians admit. But of disaster they will have naught. Photographs, presumably taken after the tempest, are spread over the country, and they show scenes in a peaceful southern clime, with slightly battered palms outlined gracefully against the sky.

The chief offender who has tried to debauch the fair name of Florida seems to be the Associated Press. Insidiously, craftily--like Californian spies--it took advantage of the coma which was Florida's until she had dug herself out, and blatantly shrieked a tale of ruin. With foul intent the newspapers urged relief funds and salvage societies. But Florida refused to be quarantined. Life is still Olympian at Coral Gables. The Marx brothers can still sell lots.