• Friday, Mayor Haydon Burns signed into law an ordinance that would put Jacksonville’s strike-bound buses back on the streets at 4 a.m. Monday. Prior to the walkout on March 25, fares were 15 cents per ride with an extra 5 cents for a transfer. The ordinance established a new rate of 20 cents per ride and 10 cents for a transfer. Burns had previously announced his intention to veto the bill, but a compromise was reached after what was described as a “closed door meeting in the mayor’s office.” It was also noted “spectators who crowded into the sweltering council chamber vociferously supported objections made to the fare raise by councilmen John P. King, J. Marvin Sweat and Cecil Lowe, who voted against passage of the ordinance.”
• The City Commission unanimously adopted a resolution to ask the City Council to approve a $25 per month raise for all City employees. The cost of the increase was estimated at $1,100,000 based on “between 3,500 and 3,700 employees on the City’s payroll.”
• On Thursday, a three-alarm fire destroyed the George Schumann Tire Company at 1319 W. Beaver St. with an estimated loss of $30,000. Fire Chief Frank C. Kelley said the fire started about 2:45 p.m. and spread from a truck parked alongside the recapping plant. Several one-gallon glass jugs of mineral spirits were loaded on the open truck and exposed to the sun while a tire from the truck was being recapped. The truck, owned by the Bevis Construction Company, was declared a total loss except for the motor, “Which might possibly be salvaged,” according to the fire chief.
• Also on Thursday, a record high temperature of 95 degrees was recorded.
• An organizational meeting for the South Jacksonville Republican Club was held at party headquarters at 188 E. Bay St. Attorney Thomas A. Larkin was the guest speaker and he explained “the history of the Republican Party.”
• It was noted that “For the first time in almost a century, the Jacksonville waterfront north of the St. Johns River from the Alsop (aka Main Street) Bridge almost to the Acosta Bridge is clear of docks, piers, warehouses and all the other structures which in recent years had become dilapidated.“ The area had been cleared and bulkheaded in preparation for construction of the new Atlantic Coast Line Railroad headquarters and a municipal auditorium.
• 35-year-old attorney John F. Santora, Jr. officially announced his candidacy for the Group 2 seat in the State House of Representatives which was then held by Harry Westberry.
• In Sherwood Forest (Soutel Drive and Castle Blvd.) you could purchase either a 3-bedroom, one bath home or a two-bedroom, one bath and a screened porch home for $8,250.
• The first formal event at the new Selva Marina Country Club in Atlantic Beach was held. It was a reception in the Pro Shop for members, their wives and prospective members. It was also announced the golf course would be ready for play in 60 days. The 182-acre layout cost $600,000 to build and for $1,005 you could be a member.