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hr. Farris Bryant
P. 0. Box 1773
Ocala, Florida
Subject: Da Indus
Dear Farris:
My purpose here is to acquaint you with pertinent facts relative
to this industry and its problems in order that you may have the
fullest information at hand to use as you see fit. For obvious
reasons related to the content I must ask that you keep the source
of this information confidential.
First, our relationship with this industry is that of public
relations consultant to those distributors doing business in
Palm Beach, Broward, Dede and Monroe Counties and is of some five
years duration. This is a year-around responsibility.
In addition, beginning in August of this year, we have been retained
by distributors within the Florida Milk commission marketing areas
for the express purpose of representing them in Milk Commission
hearings.
As one result of the latter relationship, we have been able to move
the Commission to proper consideration of the industry's woes, and to
application of certain relief measures which we were anxious to get
out of the way prior to your administration. Our accomplishment in
these hearings has been remarkable if you compare it with that which
had not been gained during the years of Collins administration, but
no more than I would expect from such a body with proper presentation
and honest revelation.
This Wednesday, we earned a unanimous Comiaaion vote in favor of our
recommendations which places the industry in a position to realise
a legitimate profit for its investment and effort, without so-called
"price-fixing" and with the public interest well served. This
accomplishment can be best measured by the assurance that had the
industry been asked six months ago if they thought such progress
would be possible at this time, there would not have been a single
affirmative opinion expressed.
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While I have known since the first time I made your acquaintance,
you have sincere interest in the welfare of this industry, but I don't
have to tell you that any relationship with it by a Florida governor
must be handled with the greatest possible care and intelligence.
This care, I can assure you again, has been exercised by our office
in every instance.
The industry, or part of it, has in some mysterious fashion come to
the optimistic conclusion that you will solve all of their problems
for them and that you will do so in about the manner they will be
able to prescribe. They hays been informed by me that you would
welcome their advice as to appointed Commissioners, that you were
destined to be a most open-minded, intelligent, sympathetic governor
insofar as their problems are concerned. Nothing more. But for some
way, a small, but influential number of these folks have greater
ambitions.
The industry is composed of three general segments. There are the
distributors (with some difference of opinion between domestic
companies and those with national distribution), those farmers who
belong to the State Association and those who belong to the Federation.
The Federation represents the largest volume of milk production. The
southern members (at least their leadership) were for Carlton; their
Central and Northern members largely for you. Chris Jensen is a
Federation officer. Andy Lay is identified with the State Association.
You are meeting November 28th with the State Association which
actually embraces many distributors (all the big ones) as well as
farmers, although they are ostensibly divided into two separate
associations.
Andy Lay is a very nice fellow and it was he that I looked to during
the campaign for advice on several occasions when reference to that
industry was required. He was very helpful. However, the truth seems
to be that Andy really wants a rubber-stamp Commission who will pass
his recommended orders without difficulty, and I an informed that
"in the good old days" that's what he had. Consequently, he is
extremely antagonistic to the present Commission.
The fact is, however, that those "good old days" are not coming back,
because the present Commission has inaugurated an open meeting program
and is composed of obviously conscientious people who have ruled
consistently with the consumer uppermost in mind. I would agree that
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they have often made mistakes, but I would judge from my own brief
experience with them that whatever prejudice they might have had
has derived from indifferent presentation by the industry and a lack
of cooperation by certain distributors. Certainly, we found that
presentation of proven facts was met with such success that the
Commission ruled with us in opposition to the governor under whom
they served.
Further, a rubber stamp Commission is exactly what this industry had
and it is exactly what cooked their goose.
Two days ago, I informed the industry in Tallahassee conference that
the very able administrator, Howard Walton, would presumably serve at
least until June 1 when his present term expires, and that to my
knowledge you would have but one appointment to fill at this time and
that would be for Chairman to replace Odham. The next morning, I
spoke to you and found that my opinion was confirmed as of this
instant.
Now, I believe that if you were to poll the entire industry farmers
and distributors alike you would find that no less than 752 of them
would ask you to retain the present members (less Odham) and the
administrator and the C.P.A. Further, if I might suggest, it might
be an excellent idea to do exactly that by mailed ballot IF it is
proper for you to solicit advice in that fashion. This, I do not know.
But it is important for you to know that it would seem you will be
talking to a relatively small segment of the industry at that meeting
unless some come who have not been invited.
Frankly, I couldn't care less who is on the Omission, because I
know you will appoint intelligent people and that's the only quality
we need to win the battles we deserve to win. I am concerned about
the administrator, because his shoulders must carry the detailed
work and I have learned that Walton is exceptionally diligent.
However, should you find another equally as adept that would be fine.
The Chairman will be, in my opinion, a very tough job to fill. He
must be intelligent, a good man at conduct of a meeting, without
prejudice and dedicated, because it will cost him about a work week
per month without compensation. But I know that when you pick him,
we'll have a good one.
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I have only these specific recommendations:
Chairman: no comment
Administrator: since Walton has six months to run unless you
would care to ask him to resign, I would earnestly suggest that
you take that opportunity to judge for yourself.
Commission members: I don't know if any of them intend to
automatically resign though I would guess that all of them would
should you wish them to. However, I would respectfully suggest
that you consider keeping them on hand until you have had an
opportunity to judge their abilities personally, because they are,
in my opinion, first class people. How they leaned in the election
I would not be able to say. How you can get anyone of ability to
serve in these positions, I can't guess.
C.P.A.: Hayes Odom is an extremely well qualified individual.
He was a Carlton supporter, but his partner was your illsborough
(I believe) treasurer.
In conclusion, let me state frankly as to our own ambitions. we have
served this industry well in our corner of the state. Our personal
accomplishments for them is measured in millions of dollars of income.
We have served the rest of the state in the limited degree herein
described. But this limited service can now be also described in
millions of dollars to those distributors concerned.
For two years, the statewide industry has been talking to us about
assuming year-'round responsibility. we have attended countless
conferences and written reams oflules, regulations, by-laws, etc.,
for the purpose of their expressed interest and on many occasions.
Each instance wound up with either the borden Company or Foremost
wanting to discuss a lower fee which we have steadfastly refused to
do, because we are well aware of the cost of such service to us. We
did trim the budget from $172,000 a year to an even $150,000, because
we eliminated lobbying responsibilities.
The adjustment which our service obtained last August amounted to
approximately $3 million dollars in income at wholesale plus an
unestimated amount on retail routes, to distributors. That accomplished
Wednesday will mean an additional $3 million at wholesale (per year)
income plus an unestimated amount at retail. I would guess that in
all we are able to point in additional total distributors' income at
some $9 million per year. For this, we charged a total of $3,000.00,
expenses included.
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But what they have now depends on industry management for success,
because it gives them nothing but the means of self-improvement.
This is the position we would like to fill as we have down here.
Point is, we don't need a rubber-stamp Comission, we don't need
to risk your career by requesting special-privilege services, we
don't need to think in terms of pay-off legislation and we have no
need of fear if we can only do business with honest people. This,
some of the industry has yet to learn.
I hope all of this helps you in some manner, and that my position
has been clearly stated. lo hidden motives exist. These people
are all fine, decent folks, but a hand-full hev't been brought up
right while a few others are out of date with the progress of their
industry. As is always the case, these are the ones who need to be
educated -- not the ones to provide such education.
Thanks for your time, and I would appreciate knowing your thinking
after your conference.
Respectfully yours,
(:::fohert7:?
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RGV:hr
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N--.tvi-2::Iber ^17 19'r1U Mr. Firr~.a dryaTIE P. O. Bis ]7 3 Ogala. FirTi.de Subject: DetLrv Industr'v D-eair Parri:: My purpree here i a t.o ac<..laint yo;J WEtli perL i.nca facts relative o Ehit: inclust:ry ad -iEs problems in :wder |.bar. you :nay !!avi: Lht: illi LCST. 5LlfOrsiillE5.GD :-It" h::llld i-D '.156 35 :/Oll See EE.1:FCli? islavfisuF. red sit.il16 related EG L he content: I WIM ask thiU: ynU heesp Lile :-:Oun:e aE 1.111.7.. iTIEia"ErlaE 21.m C.uni'sdefic iaLFir:2L our relationship wi.ch this i.ndo:.1 ry is t hat eli pUbli: -l'el at i.:1Tis L:eTim.li a.C1111. Ecl Ed(!?O di SEribl.1cGrS doing I.lllSille".!.1 1P-ilf:1 BCadl y BrDMUlrCl llade arld Mong(1C: ['ClutlC ~ 05) alld i a Of .9021<: fi V'.s -/t:ars duratEar. This -1, la year-arOurrel re;poni..ib [] 1':.y In addir:ion begiTirijg in Augm; E a E chi 3 -,nsar we have been riu:linerl by di siCributors within the Fiorida NGk Onmmt.s:.eit .n umlat i ng area::. for !.ini axpresif.: purpose .:31 represent i.Tis c hem in Mi.lb: Conmia:1, i en hearings: A:s one l'i-li.u!: ..>f the iaEccr re 1;i cionsh -p n'e have been r.lble. o 1:-.u--e Li-e Com.-li::0:-1.0T1 1.:1 prelper 0011!4 i dCl~aE i~OD Of E he inda EU'' f:M:-ed and '" appi iCati.oTi -:3.t~ Ce!-4-219.n Ti-'l ir I rielaytire:'., Whi gli 20 1.Yere aflX i alJS EO Nei 91.1L e I" the 1,':37 prior EO yet-r rUnili.n 1.5( l'31. i.rm. Q:.!r acco:-ipi j.alh'tic:fic ifl i le:Su lle::GE i nges ha.9 be'bTi Ce!!!arkab i e i I pu ..:/!mpare( L wi Ch LNGE Unied hi-lil T10L beein Gailles.I dLir-[Dg L-htt year'; i.lf Cell iT15 di:lrrit.111.af I'at 1.111, ita;: Tio mere E han I T.'ou1 d expa:t Er:r::1 auch a body with proper In:es'int M i'm am] |1(ilM-slC Teve lar:NOTI. Thi.5Nedni-'?.idas", we: edi.-Dod a UllafilillolJS CO[i-".liSSiOTI VOi e -_Ti favor ->| Otilrecutimenda t i.cne which plass: 0 he i raustry in si posi E E.an to real.izr: a l i.:gi teint!:: profEt for its invem mem and a f.ire wi cimatsc.-call le-:.i pricefi.z-i ng" and 1,:i Ell !.ftt: PLLbl 10 1.MCress. t-ie) l ??"Yved. T!l i 6 accolpl -ishment: enn be he ma:.sured by the as:Gurartee the had t he adus tro been w::ked ::.ix mani he ago e i che-:chought e.uc!i 21-02,9% wiluid be: pc-E.:.1~.bl e at 0115.3 Orie the:re would not hwe hem a Ii.Mi e el fli.I'rin12. I m:. imp i a ion ex[iressed.
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While aekansnetefrt .... .....cr itreti tew ..e .. ....oraquitac Eareof tis ndustrybu In
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C-yhv ftnmd isaebt exe I,-c -dhte ha htvr 1 I' k-l ug rm yonbi
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E hfat'(: artly r.hen Spect] 90 rec-:1:3mErldat ions: Cha[rman: ne comment: Adin(11f.stt'at/>['i S l]Ne l'Ililttin basi f, IX tiliiELEl-ii to EUR Uille5s 1911 vald care to ask h[m tri resign, 1 Would earnestly sugge:4 ti"is you ene that opp,,rtun i t/r to juelac:f or voijrsel f, Commi>a:en :nobers:: I den't kna iE an-: of them intend to aurolatical l'/ res igT1 t laill::-ji I woul d griest-.'s a hat :111 of r hem 1.'nula ::lioLLiti '?ott Wis11 t|1erEl i -:.1, RI.M:w-r, i 1.l..11Jld resp.:C i (Ull y OggeRL theat. VOU CC:MidN N'replN:. thin an Gaml to! il pu have had 51Ti Op[ic1N uni y L .* judge2 tilei r abi ) [ 0 5 0:3 PerMil131 LT b-c:4U5e the : Are in 1:.y openlo iir'.t 1:Jass people. Mc-w !.hn J.c:aned in r he cle;-: i..a i W1.ltild nOE bd Wale LU :.?. 0% :-:-D can get 3:91:rc Of li:5 ![.y W arve in these pm ir ions., E enn': -:a u. P.A,: Hayes Odmi: i-5 an exEre:nel e mi I qwi (E[i-:d trulEvi.dnai. lk: CaF a Carl COn Supp.:3rlUC .but il I. & Pur'l nCF Wa:, :Idr 8( li fbCEOugh (I 13Clieve) tr2H5iji'VI'. fri s"Onclue icire LLir elle Stale f] .Lukj:: 0:: o GUE CWn annit 1005. WIIldVC SeTved th [ ri industry we i I in 1:.uc i orner r:'l I he y un 9. (hir twremal (]Cemilpl [Shmerlin 60f then is rML'.mTil I.n mi [ l inm; GE dallarC af SELMle. 1-le how served Elli.: rest OL Lhe ?!!aLe in the i imited deyce herein di.-PCTibed. But this 1911 t.f(l service tain salm1 he a!50 Lit!5CYIlit'd Ill !!!ill iOrts Of 1)"1 [Arr E43 L har,(disi riblitilr$: (1-if)C1'Uned, Fer 1-we 76lts T he Ur:JEr WLde Indu'Eri har been taiking r.O us ODU[ ilspilm.T17 fi-!aYTOlinLI "'E:-Apans ibf | i i.y. WP have littefld-d COUntim 1-0C03 and is'ri tEnfi CCdPIS lif MJ ie:S Te!!Uilli Nir2Ls -IdwN r [.L-. Mr C he: purposes of their expre:-:sed int.ere::.; all on many occasion, Each instance wmmet up vi h aiihe::r t110 B.>:tie.e Cimipaar or Forecio-a want i n:,: ; e di:;-:In: a l at.:cy im whi t:h ulitwve s cead Ea-:st by re fijses! o dn .becaul-ti WG 3?i: W|?l 1 iaWaT i: -3 i i bl.' er:'':-i !.' 1.|':0 '.'\ n'i"z i l' LL--WE d i.d LE ill th. budgeL frors 3 i ?. 11.4 :1 -:e a: 1e an i:n:n 6 30 .000 !..:... .,...:.y ws elir:i.nated sobbyi.x rep:!wihi i li.ies. Thi: m(J1.1-:strn!-:Ar Wh[ch Gur arvice Ohr ai.nnl layt Augu-:E acaunl.cd W lapproximately $3 ,i.llion 'IdhlEs [n im mile at whatCsaba phJs an unr::lt i:o:-d ar.ext on rer:a j !. routes .W .:.1[ st ribute:irs. The L acompl i shed W.:driestlay will Iraete im oddit ion;tl $3 nif I1i-m al. Web:saic (per ye:ar) [nceine plus .m une:.t imal vil on..unt .1r. reta [ i .T Would gum t lial. (n al t We an able r.o poirtt jn aC1d t! irnal !aLai d(xt ribums' [11ame at -,wie 99 T;ifilion per yer.ir. Fu i hi,1, we ei-stiEL;ed a Louil of S.1,000.00. expernes itoludi.:d.
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But what they have now depends on industry mariagemes for success because ft gives them nothing but the means of self-improvement. This f.s the position we would like to E111 as we have down here. Polot [.s, we don't need a rubber-sramp Commission, we don't need to risk your career by requesting special-privilege services, we don't need to think in terms er pay-off legislation and we have r need or [ear if we can only do business with honest people. This some of the industry has yet to learn. I hope al l of this helps you in some manner, atid that my positior has been clearly mated. No hidden motives exist. These people are all fine, decent folks, but a hand-ful] h.aven't been brought right while a few others are out of dare with the progress of th( industry, As is always the case, these are the ones who need to educated -not the ones to prov[.de such education.
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