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news CORYEKZRCE
GOVZIROR rAsnis BRYANT
TALLAHASSEE. FLORIDA
10!! l. l9'l
TALLAHASSE!
NEUBHBN PARTICIPATING: Leeoyne Cash. XIAHT HERB-PORT HYIIS NINE-PRESS: Hendrix Chand-
ler. ASSOCIATED P1153: Dick Dale. TIORIDA IBOADCASB anus Robert H. Delaney. ORLAHDO
SZITTIKL-STAR; David Gretach, PIE! LARCB RADIO: 8d Godfrey. VTVJ-HKAHI. Halcole John
Inn. TALLAHASSEE DINOCBAT; Clarence Jones. JACKSONVILLI mun; Ovid Lewis. FREE LANCE
IADIO; Ron Hertin. UNITED P3388 ITlATIONAL; Don Heihiejohn. Joan H. PIRRY PAPERS:
Allen hurria. CIACIBI POLITICS George Prentice. HTVT; Tom Baker. INSIDE POLITICS Art
Richardson. FLORIDA TIMES OUION; George Thurston, PLOBIDA BROADCAST RIBS; Hartin Hald-
ron. Tn! TAMPA TIIIUII.
GOVIIIOI: Good alternoon. Im afraid I don't have any introductory news today. Do
you have any questions?
TUTTLB: Governor. do you have any reaction to Senator Herrell'a coanenta on the Senate
floor this earning in which he indicated he was quite unhappy with some pressure from
Dade County. which be attributed to your forces, regarding this cigarette tax collect
ion bill?
GOVBISOhx I heard and. of course. I did not hear the statement ugselt. that he said
he was deluged with calls from Bryant appointees in Dade County?
turns; That is what I understand.
GOVIIHOI: I didn't hnow we had that many appointees. dc haven't had any judges that
I know of. have we? (laughter) I can't think offhand of over ten or three appointees.
They euat have called him sevoral tines apiece.
JONES: Governor. in the light of yesterday's Grand Jury report on Duval Engineering
and Contracting Company. do you feel they should be reinstated to the bidders list?
OOVKRIOI: The Grand Jury report in the opinion of those gentleeen on the sources of
intornetion that they had and it is not to be taken as a substitute for the discretion
of the State load Department.
DILAIIY: Governor. what is the picture on congressional reapportioneent?
GOVERNOR: well. I think the prospects of solving that problem are rather good. There
are soee elenente of the solution that are not as I would like then so for. I have
not seen the final fore. of course.
JOHNSON: how strongly do you feel about than? Strongly enough to veto the bill?
covenant: I believe that what we are going to come up with is going to be considerably
better than what was done at the tine of the last redistricting in l95l. For instance.
in l95l the Northwest Tlorida district was soee 605.000 in population. On the other
hand. the South tlorida -. I believe it's the Jie Belay district -- was about 156.000
population and the Pale teach district was once 225.000 population. as I recall. The
Dade County district at that time was by far the largest and. of course. this time
that will be corrected. I don't believe percentagewiae the disparity between diatricta
this tine will be as large as it was in 1951 and to that extent would be an ieproveo
nent .
-2.
HALDIDI: Doea that nean that you have accepted the eeall diatricto up here?
GOVEIIDI: I have not aeen the final plan and I haven't accepted anything.
DELAIEY: Have you not with tho coandttee today. Governor?
GOVERNOR: No. air.
DELANZY: In your conference with thee yeaterday. did you reach any aeeting of the
minda on --T
GOVBRBOR: The conference ao far aa 1 wee concerned waa lieited toward an cxprceaion
to them of the direction in which I hoped that they would work, with aono coneonto
about the plan that had paaood the two nouaee and auggeated areae of modification to
achieve the goala I had in eind and about which I opoke to you. I believe, a week ago.
DILANIY: Did they indicate any agree-out with your idea?
GOVZRROR: Hell. I woo talking with about 10 people, I think, at the tiao and it JO.
juat a general diocuaeion with no foreal action or oven inforeal action to be at that
tine taken.
DBLAIBY: Hora people than eeebera of the conference cooedttool there are aix on the
committee.
GOVERlOI: Hell. however many were on the coenittee. ~- However many you counted when
you otuch your head in the door. (laughter).
DILAIBY: well there were aix eenbere of the coanittee. I waa juat trying to figure
if there were othora boaideo Senator Hodsea?
GOVZRROI: I don't recall. Senator ndsea uea aleo hero. 1 don't recall any others.
CHAIDLII: Baa there been ooee eapreaoion from the congreaaional delegation relayed to
you and to the conference co-ittoe that ia being conoidored?
GOVERIOR: Hell. yee. I have heard from aerveral neebera of the canareoaional delega-
tion free tine to tine relative to their wiehee on theoe oeveral eattoro. and I aaauee
that eenbere of the conference coondtteo likewiae have heard froe than. although I
have no intelligence about that.
THURSTON: Have you had any indication free that coenittee that they are conaidering
taking your plan into coneidaration?
GOVERNOR: I have an indication iron the connittoe that they are doairoua of working
out a plan that I will find acceptable.
om: Did you offer then an actual plan, Gowrnor. or juat your ideaa?
covzanoa: No. to thio particular group I juat offered my ideaa with relation to the
piece at which they were. They were not in a poeition to begin over on eoee other
plan.
TUTTLI: They know what your plan to in a general way?
GOVBRROI: They know what ny deoireo are. yea air.
TUTILS: They haven't accepted it?
mama: Not in full.
LEWIS: 301: back. will you veto the bill?
SOVEINOR: I haven't eeen it.
JONES: 001! back to Duval Engineering o the Senate passed a resolution yesterday
asking the Road Board to reinstate the company. This morning the House failed to get
the tuo-thirda Vote to put it on the calendar. During the debate. Representatise
Hattheul of Duval County suggested that Duval Engineering was on the wrong aide of
the political fence and that this was the reason it hadn't been reinstated while
Tampa companies had.
GOVERNOR: well. I don't wish to quarrel with Representative Mathews. for whom I have
the highest respect and a deep friendship. I will say that one of the Teepa con-
plnlls. some of Uhcee principals were on my side of the political fence. was kept off
for some five loathe. Duvsl has been off for not quite three. That would indicate
that so far they have not been treated as rigorously.
TUTTLE: Does it alao indicate that perhaps at the end of five nonthl. let's say.
that they will be reinatated?
GOVIIRDR: No. I don't think there is any necessary correlation. The conduct in the
respective instances was quite different. ow. some of the firms that were likewise
not on the right side of the fence were put back on after about two months. I believe.
The point I make it simply that I can't obeerve any correlation between beinL on the
right side of the fence and getting back on in a hurry. The reverse scene to have
teen true.
HIIKLZJORI: Governor, didn't you indicate when this Cone thing was up that if there
had been any proof that there had been any cheating as far as the roads were concerned
that you would take strong action. and than thie proof never came up. ow. under
this Duval thing. isn't there some indication that there has been sole short-changing
on than?
covenant: That is the difference in the two ceaes in ey mind and we are trying to
ascertain by engineering methods what damage. if any --
HBIKLEJORN: What if some actual proof is made and suhetantiated that there had been
some cheating by a firm -- what action would you recon-end as far as reinstatement?
GOVBRhOI: if it use established that they had willfully cheated. I would not want
then to be reinstated.
AALDRON: Governor, have you given up hopes on the cigarette stanp bill?
COVBRNORI Virtually.
UhLDRO: I understand that there is widespread feeling in the Legislature that a
September session is a foregone conclusion. Do you agree with that?
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GOVIIIOI: Hell. they have the authority to call theeaelvss hack into session. of
course. and if there is a widespread feeling to do it I would asauns that if it is
two-thirds widespread that they would be back.
"ALDROI: A lot of people seem to feel that you will call than hack!
GJVBRIOR: Thst is not ey intention.
CHANDLER: How long would you wait hafcre determining whether we would need a special
session to provide more money or for constitutional revision?
GOVBRIOR: It is impossible to tell. Hr. Chandler. i think that there is going to he
a continuing scooouic ieproveesnt which will units one unnecessary. Oh. you said
constitutional revision?
CAlDLll: Or both.
GOVEIROR: 1 had not contemplated a session for the purpose of constitutional rsJiaion
at all. i have heard it talked about, hot I had not planned on it-
CKANDLII: But you still feel encouraged about the economic pick-up?
GOVZRIOR: Vary definitely. I was reading in fortune night before last -- they pre-
dict now not Just a been as they have been predicting. but a super-boon. They fatl
that the danger is nora run-away than it is a recession. Now if we have inflation
and if we have the expansion in capital goods and in income. all of which is beinr
experienced at the present tine an a scale anticipated by this negatine alone others,
we will be in wonderful condition to nest all of the first priority and a substantial
part of the second priority allocations.
JOHNSOR: If you had a super-boon ~- that kind of inllation -- would you consider that
the five per cent increases for state eeployeea would be sufficient?
GOVERNOR: I can conceive of an inflation sufficient to warrant a revision of salary
schedules. I don't anticipate it. but 1 can conceive of it.
CBARDLZB: Jhat are we going to do about the University of South Florida? Us have no
noney in first priority for that and yet we have a schedule of operings for too next
three years. Can we neat those schedules with a second oriority ital!
GOVERNOR: That all depends. That will he one of the factors that will weirn very
heavily in the determination as to whether or not we so into a special session on
finances at any time. As you know. 1 an rather strongly biased in favor of espanding
the facilities in higher education. I as not yet convinced that we can't do it under
the present tas structure.
JOHISOK: How does the appropriation bill passed this morning by the house suit you?
GOVEIIDI: I so pleased that it is a balanced budget, very pleased. Obviously. there
are sons things that i wouldn't have just as they are. but overall 1 think it is food.
And particularly when you consider that the increase of funds distributed to counties
for schools under this propose is $55 eillion more than for the prgccdlng h1annluu. A
rather trenendous increase aeountinc roughtly to 20 per cent.
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"ALBIOH: Representative J. J' Griffin said in the House this morning that of the $89
million increase in the budget over the last biennium that 880 million of it went for
education purposes. Is that correct?
GOVERNOR: I would think that that would not be far off.
ALDRON: Hell. this 89 million increase in other state functions indica:es a lag
wouldnt you think?
COVEnOR: A lag?
UALDRON: Yes. sir.
GOVRNOR: heybe we needed to squeeze some fat out. I an o! the opinion that there
ues some squeezing called for.
UALDRC: Is thorn any far in the educational bocget?
GOVERNOR: I so sure th:t th.& in. I so sure the: in any budgets that are the size
of those as handle in state governrwnt chore is [at there if we can but find it.
HZIXLEJUBN: would this super-boon provide enough money for a new univeriaty at Docs
Iston?
GOVEEROR: I vould hope so. You see in order to finance all the second-priority
allocations you only require an expansion of $10 million of anticipated incoae which
is only about 3 per cent and quite conceiveole for Ilorida. That is over conserzative
estimates or income.
"ALDRON: This sales can report and gasoline tax report issued by r. Green yesterday
didn't dampen your enthusiasm?
GOVERNOR: I have not seen the gasoline tax report. I have seen and have in my bend
a copy of the sales tax report. That report does not deepen my enthusiaoe because
when you consider the fact that Beater use not reflected in the proceeds for this
month as it use reflected in the proceeds for the cospareble month a year ago. I
think the decline is not only expected but perhaps a little less than expected.
TUTTLE: It seemed to deepen the spirits of Mr. Green.
GOVBRHOQ: Hell. he may be more absorbent than I. (laughter)
CEAIDLIR: Governor. on another subject. I understand that you have received sane coo-
plaints against Howard Halton. the Milk Administrator. Can you tell us the nature of
those complaints and whether you are prepared to act on then.
mama: so.
JORNSOR: I hear, Governor, that the Marion County Tax Assessor is thinking of using
the new intangible tax bill as a justification for decreasing assessed values of the
regular ed valoree taxes in Marion County and that that has caused some second glances
at the bill which you signed yesterday. Can you tell us about that?
GOVERROE: I have a letter from Ernest Nott on my desk. I have an idea that uhat you
are talking about is the inventory tax bill.
JOHNSON: The inventory tax. I see.
GOVBBRDR: But it is the cut to a 25 per cent rate of the assessment of that type of
personals known as inventory which causes him concern. He indicated to me that enact-
ment of that bill as law uould result in a 86 million decrease in values on Marion
County roads and that. of course. was a matter of concern for schools and the county
and so forth.
DELAKZY: To get back a moment to congressional reapportlonnent. do you expect to
meet again with the conference committee, Governor?
GOVERHDR: If they invite me to.
DELANBY: You don't have any scheduled?
GOVERNOR: No. air. I have none planned.
IUTTLE: You are going to sign that invontory hill?
GOVKRROR: I dont know.
JOHNSON: You are looking into it on the heels of this man's stetemeots?
COVEIKDR: Yes. sir. I have never approved this particular type of inventory tar cut.
I was. during the campaign, in favor of another type. but I specifically declined to
approve this type of tax cut.
IUITLE: Isn't this based on a theory that they are all dodging now, in that if you
cut it to 25 per cent you will bring in that many more and, therefore, increase the
revenues to cities and counties?
GOVERNOR: I would assume that there are some who are persuaded by that. yes.
JONSON: I obviously got acne garbled information up in the hell. as you frequently
do on these things. that it represented the intangibles tax. It was also said that
he is threatening now to use this to make a cut in the real property taxes, is that
true or is that also garbled?
GOVEIROR: No. I don't think there is a threat involved. I think he did indicate that
inasmuch as railroad assessments were cut in those counties where other real property
assessments were below the level of railroad assessments ~- I think he. therefore,
reasoned that he would have to out other property assessments in line with this par-
ticular type personal property assessment. I don't think there is any threat involved.
I think he was probably posing prohiema on which he wanted an answer.
CHANDLER: Governor. are there any plans for moving the Florida Canal Authority office
from Jacksonville?
GOVERNOR: I don't know of them. This is the first I have heard of it.
CBANDLBR: You have authority under a bill which you allowed to become law yesterday
dont you?
GOVERNOR: I dont know. I can assure you that this is the first I have heard of
thoee plans if there are any.
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3mm: Govoonor. you rocaivod a latter rocontly tron Doc Baffin nailing tor a
coqlota filo on hia canal
ammo: l! l did. I dont how it.
Im: haa thoto noon any latter indicating that ha nova: rocaivod tho tonal
charm auth hiol
ammo: I don't think any chat-goo have ever boon placad auinat hin.
lm!sz to that hocauao of thin poculiar prucaduro that wan involved during tho
aoaaion?
covamn: 1 think that tho lav calla for tho Govotnor to rota-and to tho Sonata and
tho Sonata to act. I don't boliaca that thou ~-
roman: Thorn van a atory in tho nonopapor that ha had witton you aakin; for
tho too-l chatooa which ho aaid ho had not ococivod. lvidontly than la no ouch
thing on a lot-l chauo in thia inatancc.
canon: ll thoto in I don't knoo of it. Thorn in. of courao. tho oaaaago to tho
Sonata.
HEW: Did you aond hll a copy of that?
m: l toally dont know. I do know that no did aond hin a Vll. notifying hill
of tho action of tho Sonata and tho aoloction of a auccaaaor.
BMW: You will ho happy to and him a copy of your ooaaaao won't you?
scum: Yon. oi couraa, and l aaauno that aono of tho alott navapapara in that
can probably printod it.
BMW: l think thay did.
was: cannot. do you havo anything to ropoot on tho lnvoatiution going on out in
loco-bio Minty?
m: At tho ptooont tin. thoro in no lumtlutlm going on out thoro. Jo
havo coqlatod all out ptaaantly contaqlatod invoatigationa in that am and do not
contqlata any iurthn action in that rogard at thia tin.
HEW: That ooana you havo coqlotod chacking out tho infatuation and you do not
intend to invoatigato lutthot.
conrm: At thin tillo.
Elm: At thin tin?
manna: That in cortoct.
CRAIDLII: Contour. what on tho ohonooa for paoaago at tho yoyo bill? (louuhtor)
m: l hovon't boon up in tho hallo no you an a littlo ahood of -.
coma: l rota: to tho liooot advottiaing hill?
cannon: l havon't tho to-taot a. than in it now?
m: In con hoot-a. (laughtor)
m: Ho hovo boon dot-n hora for thirty Iimtoo. (lughtor)
.3.
mm: Governor. while hunting an open door yesterday I observed the entire City
Co-ieeion. city attorney. city nsnaeer. etc. 0! Tallahassee waiting to visit you.
w: That was twice you observed. (laughter)
M: Uhat was that nesting. would you care to tell us?
contact: Just to discuss con-on problem which we have here in i'ellehassee.
mm: The police chief. I believe. and the chief of detectives and Colonel Xirhaan
-- did he sit in on that seating. too?
mm: Colonel Kirknen was in there. yes.
W: Did that have anything to do with your plan (or preventing race violence this
su-nr?
meme: it was a general discussion of the usintnance of law and order under ell
circutencee in which there night he a co-nn problem it night involue panty raids
or gold fish eating contests.
um: is that against the lee? (laughter)
1m: I have one other question. Governor. Sons of the nerit syste- mloyees of
the state are greatly disturbed because of the word that the iiwe per cent increase
in pay in respect to the. will enount actually to a decrease because some of then are
entitled to step-ups of more than five per cent. Are you (miller with that conpleint
or do you know whether it is true?
GOVERIDR: No. this is the first I have heard of it. Our request to the appropriations
conittees was si-ply to tree: eqloyees under the nerit systn the sane as other
eeployees whatever they did. and l essune that use done.
um: There is one internal question which popped into ny nind. i'ha appropriations
bill provides that no eeployee of the Develop-nt Co-iaeion can we more my than
the may appropriated for the divector.
muons: Can't be paid any lore. that is correct.
"ALDEN: But does this put any difficulty in the uay of keeping )ir. Bruce?
WWII: I don't know. I have not explored that law.
HALDBCIO: Is there something wrong with your finger?
GWERIDR: no. I just do that for the fun of it. (laughter)
DEW: Vauld you like to have a report on that finger -- I have it {ran the hospital
-- my wile works out there. (laughter)
caveman: I had the intelligence to also a car door on it last night.
um: San Saunders sled one on Iy finger one day and he said. "i wouldn't have
had that happen for a purdy". (laughter) i told hi. i wouldn't either. (laughter)
scrum: Hell. that was a nice thought. laughter)
Jameson: Thank you. Governor.
m: Thank you. gentlenn.
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PAGE 4
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PAGE 5
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JDWNS3N: The inventory tax, I see. CCVEMsDR: But it is the cut to a 25 per cent rate or the assessment of that type of perSon4lg kno6mm og inventary dhich CauBeg him conce ra. He indiCated ta me that e.at ment of t'tLat hill aa tag malld result in a 90 million decrEase in val.ues 0-1 Marian County raada and that, of course, was a natte r o E concern for actcyals and Che county and so forth. DELAN?;T: To get back a mament '_o congressEenal reapps resonment, do you expect to meet again with the cauference committee, Governar? C'JVERNOR ; [s~ rhey in site ne to. DEL\NEY: Tou don't have any scheduled? GavEnfone No, sir, I brue none planned. TUTTLEYou are going to sign theE inventory bill? ..ene .. ......n..ontes ome via are persuaded by that, yes. or-ncten up in el e hall, as yos freq-sen cl. e antangib Les tax. It was aEsu said that a cut in the real property taxes is that I6dd anS40SmGOC5 were CuC in 16960 Cossn Eleo abe ce belnw the Icoe t of railcaad assessnente -I this vould kave tr cut other property assessnents 'tn sc-nai nranerty assessment. I don' t think there i:
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