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Hendrix Chandler, ASSOCIATE) PRESS: Dick Dale, FLORIDA
BROADCAST NEWS: Robert V. Delaney. ORLANDO SERTIREL-STAR
Barbara Fryes, UNITED PRESS IRTERRATIORAL: Clarence Jones,
JACKSONVILLE JOURNAL; Ovid Lewis, FREE LARGE RADIO;
John HcDermott, MIAMI HERALD-ST. PETERSBDRG TIMES SERVICE:
Don Roiklejohn,,JORR H. PERRY PAPERS; George Prentice. HTVT;
Tum Raker. IRSIDE POLITICS; George Thurston, FLORIDA
BROADCAST REVS: Tom Vinoeguerre, FORT LAUDERDALE REVS;
hertin Usldron, TRE TAEPA TRIBDRE
NEWS CONFERENCE
GOVERNOR FARRIS BRYANT
RAY 2h. 1961
TALLAHASSEE
GOVERNOR: I have great none for your this morning.
HALDRON: You have reaigned? (laughter)
GOVERNOR: Not that good. (laughter) I an proclaiming June 18 se
Fathers' Day.
CHANDLER: There is a men with courage. (laughter)
GOVERNOR: There is some of the language I don't want to adopt in
this proclamation here, but you understand the language is put in
there by the staff. (laughter).
TRURSTOH: You favor Fathers' Day?
GOVERROR: I favor Fathers' Day. (laughter) I on also appointing
Mr. Leon c. McAekill (I have all the biographical data on him here)
of Miami Beach tc the Trurisn Steering Committee. Hr. HcAskill has
been--
FRYE: what is that, I never heard of it?
GOVERNOR: It is a committee heeded by Million 6. Ray of Ray and
Davidson at Silver Springs. composed of all segments or tourist
industry, which has been doing a wonderful job in promoting an
internal educational program. first of all, for tourism attractions
in Florida. Hr. ppAskill is appointed from the Hismi Beach area.
Aleo you have heard me talk from time to time about the desirability
of private industry getting into the business of promoting public
education. We have chartered the Education and Research Foundation
of Florida, which is the object of a dinner to be held in Hollywood
on June 10.
HCDERHC T: What was the none of that again?
GOVERNOR: The Education and Reaearoh Fonndation of Florida. The
purpose of which is to provide an agency and a means through which
private capital can underwrite chairs and other educational media
in favor of Florida turning up its nose at it?
GOVERNOR: It would depend on the terms. If I thought the price
was too high. yes. If I thought the price was not too high, no.
It depends on the terms of the legislation and what I envision the
future dangers to be
FRYE: Could we turn it down without legislation?
GOVERNOR: I don't know.
PRYE: I didn't know whether you had to pass something to get it or
take it whether you want it or not?
GOVERNOR: I would assume that you would have to take it on their
terms. And if you refuse to their terms, I imagine they wouldn't
give it to you.
CHANDLER: You would be opposed to any type of federal controls over
the spending of this money, I gather?
GOVERNOR: well, if they appropriate money and say if they were to
rebate us 5 per cent of the income tax and on the requirement that
it was to be used for educational purposes -~ this I would not object
to.
CHANDLER: I wasn't aware of any bill of that type pending. Is there
such legislation?
GOVERNOR: There is, and the National Governor's Conference has been
promoting this particular type of federal aid to states for a long
time. It does. as we know here in Florida, where municipalities are
concerned, it preserves local control on the one hand while
extending the aid of the state ( in the other instance the federal
government) on the other hand.
CHANDLER: Have you examined President Kennedy's bill well enough
to know whether it was any strings attached to it?
GOVERNOR: No, I have not examined the bill. My understanding of
the bill, however, is that there are substantial strings, I know
that they are trying to keep off some of the exprese strings, but the
activity of the Department of Justice in Virginia is a pretty good
testimony of the views of the federal government as to its authority
in that field. while they feel that way about it, I feel the other
way.
CHANDLER: I gather that you are inclined to opprae this type of
legislation and would feel at this time that Florida should not
partucipate in it?
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GOVERNIR: First or all -- meeting the first problem first -- I an
opposed to the federal government adopting federal aid to education
legislation. Now, the lacond problem hasn't arisen.
HALDROH. Hell, are you in favor of Florida having a law which
prohibits the state from participating in federal aid? No I am not
in favor or such a law.
HALDRON: Governor, this bill which passed yesterday on an emergency
basis, to profide that city commissioners and highway patrolman
would have police powers in certain situatiOns -- is that an
indication that you would take prompt action in the event or
"freedom riders" for instance coming intoPlorida?
GOVERNCR: In the event of "freedom riders" or "hate riders" or
anybody else, I would assist local forces in any instance where
violence was threatened beyond their ability to handle.
MCDERHOTT: Would you offer them say a highway pertol escort through
the state, such or I believe Governor Barnett of Hississippi?
OOVERROR: I am going to have to meet the problem when it arises,
where it arises.
CHANDLER: You do have some ideas, I assume, about what you would do
in the event of any trouble, don't you?
GOVERNOR: Yes, I am pretty clear in my mind exactly what I would
do.
CHANDLER: But you would rather wait until the situation arises?
GOVERNOR: That is correct. I won't have to be wondering what I am
going to do when and if the occasion arises.
WALDROH: Plan A?
GOVERNOR: Plan A. (laughter)
MEIXLEJOHN: Governor, have you conferred with Mr. Jamison since he
has been to Pensacola and checked out the information?
GOVERNOR: Yes, sir, I confer with him trequentlyh
HEIKLEJOBN: Have you decided whether you are going to take any more
active interest in that investigation over there?
GOVERNOR: Well, of course, I will have a continuing interest in
anything involving law enforcement in Florida, but there have been
no decisions made as to any action in the Pensacola area.
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MEIKLEJOHH: I would like to ask you a question on this apprOpriation
bill. You have recommended $100,000 for a study for a college in
Pensacola. There are two bills pending in the Lngislature -- one
of then in the House appropriations bill has $1,200,000 in second
priority for a college there. The bill in the Senate has $2,000,000
I guess, in what you would term last priority, converting the junirr
college there. would you Veto a bill for appropriations that would
put up money for converting the juniro college without a study?
GOVERNOR: Let me Just say that my position is that we ought for
these next two years study the situation and go into the '63 session
with the prupoae of initiating an institution of higher learning
in Eacambis.
HBIXLEJOHN: Have you studied either of those appropriations to see
whether the money could be used for a study or would there be a
prohibition as far as you know?
GOVERNOR: If I remember the House with a lump sum appropriation
you cound use it for preparatory preliminary planning and study.
VINCIGUERRA: Governor, what is the statue of your consideration to
sue the Collins' Road Board?
GOVERNOR: Hell there are several instances now in which we are
involved. So far as the Earl Powers situation s decision has been
made to rater that to the State Attorney in the area for consideration
by him as to whether or not it is preper in the circumstances to
bring any criminal action. So far as the Road Board situation is
concerened, I have asked the Attorney General to give me an opinion
as to whether or not if we sue our recovery will be Just $1 or whether
it will be a substantial amount. I hava not yet received that
opinion. And I don't mind telling you that it his decision is that
we are going to get Just $1, then I an not going to subject us to
that bad publicity. If his opinion is to the contrary, I think than
that under the law my only recourse would be to submit it to the
courts.
HiLDRON: Do you think he will give you an opinion on that?
GOVERNOR: Yes. I talked with him about it personally and I think
that he will.
FRYB: How would anybody know that? Wouldnt that go to a jury?
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GOVERNOR: The question is on the measure or damages. For instance,
you recall libel suits in a number of instances where a Jury
has awarded damages but limited them to $1. I am sure the Attorney
General can study the law and give me a reliable opinion so to what
is the measure of damages in the cited instanoes.
FRYE: That is on overspending the primary funds?
GOVERNOR: Yes. ma'am.
VINCIGUERRA: Governor, do you have any views on whether a gubernatorial
candidate's campaign expenses should be limited? A bill I believe
has been introduced.
GOVERNOR: I certainly think they should be limited if it can be done
effectively and if you can at the same time include in the limitation
consideration or the value of newspaper free publicity. It you.are
going to limit the candidate in his ability to boost his own candidacy,
but not limit, say the newspapers or television or radio in their
ability to fight him, you make an unbalanced affair.
MEIKLEJOHN: Do you have any idea what sort of scale you could set
up on an antioeditorsl --
GOVERNOR: I don't think you could do it. But I mean the philanphical
question that you pose tharo. If you say that a candidate can spend
only "x" dollars, but don't limit what his opponents can do through
free publicity you obviously eat up an unbalanced situation.
FHYE: What you are saying is that you don't think it would be
pratical to have any limit?
MCDERMOTT: Governor, do I interpret you correctly to say that in
your view you would favor a curb on freedom or the press in this
instance?
GOVERNOR: No. air. You did not understand me to say that.
MODERMOTT: I wish you would clarify that.
GOVERKOR: I would say that I don't think you ought to limit a
candidate unless you can limit his opposition.
MCDERMOTT: Hell, and you also, I believe, said something to the
effect that his opposition stems from newspaper writings or
radio and television appearances -- that yon real that that would
be curtailed, is that right?
GOVERNOR: No, sir, I didn't say that. what I said was that you
shouldn't limit him unless you can limit his opposition. Now the
question is, can you limit his opposition? That is the question
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to which you are trying to say I have given an answer. I haven't.
MCDERMOTT: well, I am trying to get clear on the point that you are
making. Are you saying that if the newspaper through editorials or
in the news columns give more space to one candidate than another or
say more favorable things about one candidate than another, should
they be, in your opinion, curbed?
GOVERNOR: No, sir. I do went to say this -- if you are going to let
a political writer say day after day in his columns that a certain
candidate, for instance, is opposed to the extension of the
turnpike, you ought to let the candidate raise enough money to respond
to that in the same paper. That really is the point that I make and
I think that you have got to balance this thing out. If it is
going to be one way it has got to be the other. And since you can't
keep a men from saying what he wants in his political column under
our constitutional gaurantees, therefore it follows that you ought
not to be able to limit the candidate.
WAIDRON: Do you think that you and Senator Carlton spent too much
money in thr last race?
GOVERNOR: There is no question about it at all.
FRYE: Well what is the answer. There is none?
GOVERNOR: I have not worked out an answer. I wish I had an easy
pat answer.
VINCIOUERRA: Governor, do you feel that a sufficient amount of
this road reform legislation has passed to correct some or the
irregularities of the --?
GOVERNOR: I surely do, and I an glad you mentioned that because
there has been a lot of converstsion, for instance, about.the
highway commissioner insuring continuity and continuity being a good
thing. Well continuity is good if you continue in good things. And
it is bad it you continue in bad things. how it you had a highway
commissioner who was continuing what has been going on in the
Road Board, then that is a bad deal. I an a little bit confused about
how this continuity situation arose out of the legislative investiga-
tiona,becauae the investigations pointed out that bad things were
going on and if we had continuity of course you would just continue
bad things. And this to no doesn't seem to be a reasonable conclusion.
1h
VINCIGUERRA: Well, a highway commissioner who would continue what
is wrong, wouldn't that constitute grounds for his removal under
this bill?
GOVERNOR: I am not sure what the bill did provide relative to that.
I think it provided that the highway commissioner could be removed if
the Cabinet wanted to remove him, whether they had grounds or not. So
what would be persuasive to them in a particular instance nobody
could know.
HALDRON: You didn't mean in answer to his first question that
enough road reform legislation had been passed?
GOVERNOR: I think within the framework of the present law, this
administration can administer an honest and efficient road program.
NALDRON: I was thinking specifically of your bill to allow the
borrowing of teachers' retirement funds to buy rights-of-way?
GOVERNOR: That doesn't have anything to do with this. If that is
the kind of reform -- I thought we were talking about the malpracticea.
No, that bill still needs to be passed, the bill relative to additional
investment opportunities for retirement funds.
WALDRON: Does that bill provide that all such funds borrowed in your.
administration would have to be paid back before you left office?
GOVFRiiOR: Yea a ir?
LEHIS: Governor, are you in favor of putting the Director of the
Road Department under the Highway Engineer?
GOVERNOR: Yes, I am.
VINCIOUERRA: Governor, when you say this administration intends to
carry out an effective road program, are you inplying that the door
is still Open for future administrations to do what has been done
in the pest?
GOVERNOR: I think that there isn't any law that can be passed that
will make men honest.
LEWIS: Are you planning to call a special election to fill the
unexpired term or the term left vacant by Mr. Riddle?
GOVERNOR: Not unless (l) a special session is anticipated at which
a representative would be needed or (2) local interest demanded one
and were willing to foot the bill.
LEWIS: The question has arisen, Governor, that possibly the man
still occupies the office of representative as far as Halton County
is concerned and, however, he is Just barred from participating in
the activities up here.
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oovsasoa: I have not seen the resolution. certainly the Legislature
has a right to expel. Whether it did so or not, I don't really know.
I haven't read the resolution.
THURSTON: Governor. do you believe that provisions should be
provided for filling vacancies created in that manner or, during a
Legislature, for any reason, say by death, or incapacity, without
the necessity of calling a special election?
GOVERKOR: I think it probably would be a good thing. I don't think
it is a critical problem. In my experience, it doesn't happen very
often. but I think it would be a good thing.
THURSTON: ( unintelligible)
GOVERNOR: Yes, it could. I think you will find the Legislature is
the kind or body that would, if there were legislation that particular
county were intreated in, be more inclined to go slong with it with
the representative missing under those circumstances than it he were
there.
DELAFEY: Governor. it appears that after yesterday the chances of
the bill to implement the constitutional right-to-work guarantee
is in the same status as your double utility tax you spoke of a
while ago. Do you think that this is something that is needed?
GOVERNOR: I have not taken that position. I have taken the position
supporting the right to work amendment both in my campaign and since
that time but I have not taken a position tsvoring any additional
effort in that direction.
DELANEY: You don't feel that any additional legislation is necessary?
GOVERNOR: H011, if I had been in the legislature I probably would
have been more inclined -- actually this question never came up for
me -- but to prevent the agency shop situation might have been an
appropriate modification. But I think that would have been to what
I would have directed my interest.
wALDRON: Can people who feel they are aggrieved get injunctions
under the constitutional provisions?
GOVERNOR: Hell, it depends upon what has been done to make them
feel that way as grounds for an injunction.
GALDROH: Hell, I mean they don't need a law to get relief?
GOVERNOR: It can be done.
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CHANDLER: They would have to pay their own way, though, wouldn't
they?
GOVERNOR: Yes, sir.
MEIKLBJOHN: Governor, have you had any briefing on a diecueaion
that Mr. Clements of the Palm Beach Sheriff's Department had with
Mr. Jamison and, if so, have you determined whether there in a need
for your entry into that case?
GOVERNOR: Yea, I have had a report on the conversation, but there
has been no decision made or indicated to anyone relative to
participation of this office in those affairs other than the gonere
assurance that we stand, of course, for good law enforcement in
Palm Beach County or any other.
WALDRON: Are you all investigating anybody in the Tampa Bay area?
(laughter)
FRYE: Don is Just taking over the sheriff: situation. It's terrible.
(laughter)
CHANDLER: Thank you very much.
GOVERNOR: Thank you gentlemen and lady.
1?
of the institutions of higher learning in Florida. Toward that end
we already have some very substantial pledges toward this goal, such
as $10,000 annual pledge to underwrite a chair at the University of
Florida and several other enaller pledges. These will be used to sup-
plement salaries of professors at universities through the Education
and Research Foundation so that we can attract and hold acme of the
outstanding men in the nation in respective fields for which the
chairs are endowed.
CHANDLER: This money does not have to be appropriated, does it
GOVERNOR: This is not state money at all. This is a private
education and research foundation to which private individuals will
be contributing money for the purpose of establishing chairs at
universities.
CHANDLER: It is restricted to uniVersities -- it doesn't include
Junior colleges or the DeVelcpment Commission or anything else?
GOVERNOR: It is not so restricted. Its purposes are set forth to
receive and administer funds for scientific education and charitable
purposes or for the public welfare. Actually, the charter is adapted
largely from the Ford Foundation charter, and so it is not restricted
in that sense. There is no occasion for restricting it, because this
is a private endeavor.
CHANDLER: Could it recieve money from the Ford Foundation?
GOVERNOR: Yes it could.
FHIE: Over Bill O'Neill'o dead body. (laughter)
JONES: Do you have the idea of putting all the money in a pool and
letting this Foundation decide where it will go or Hill a firm put
the money in for a specific chair?
GOVERNOR: It unFl operate in at least both ways. In other words,
the first pledge that we get before we even designed a corporation
was with a pledge for underwriting a chair in a particular field
at a particular tnireraity. In that instance the Fourdaticn will
simply administer the funds. It will be a conduit only. In other
instances where the contributions are in smaller amounts, or perhaps
not pledged to be continuing, the noney will be accumulated and used
at the discretion of the officer: of the corporation.
CHANDLER: Can you tell us who the officers are?
GOVERNOR: The organizating officers are James Walter of Tempe.
John Pace of Pensacola and myself. The corporation provides, howevar,
that there shall be not less than three nor more than 15. As soon
as we are organized and underway, the officers will be expended and
changed, I suspect.
VIRCIGUERRA: Governor, how much money will the Foundation go into
business with?
GOVERNOR: The charter requires that it have 31.000 in cash.
RODERMOTT: Well. actually, how much money will you have?
GOVERROR: We won't know until we have our dinner on June 10.
Actually. we have pledges right now for about $13,000 a year that have
Just come in voluntarily.
FRYE: Is that s fund-raising dinner -- I mean they just make pledges?
GOVERROR: it is in part, yes.
FRYE: It is not a cost per plate or anything like that?
GOVERROR: No, ma'am.
FRYE: They Just make pledges.
GOVERNOR: That is correct.
VIHCIGUERRA: will there be a guest speaker or will that be you, sir?
GOVERNOR: No. there will be a guest speaker.
VINCIGUERRA: Do you know who it is?
GOVERNOR: Yes. but we are not ready to make that announcement yet.
VIRCIGUERRA: Somebody of national recognition?
GOVERNOR: Yes.
HGDERNOTT: Politically or --
OOVERNOR: Educationelly and otherwise. uh-th. Not politically -- e
non-political figure.
VINCIGUERRA: Will you be there, Governor?
GOVERNOR: Yes, I will.
CHANDLER: Do you plan something of this same type for supplementing
state salaries?
GOVERNOR: Re, we have no plans. 0! conrse, this applies not only to.
public institutions or higher learning, but also to private
institutions or higher learning,. To the extent that it supplements
public institution, through chairs the state will be involved.
CHANDLER: Then institutions like Stetson and Florida Southern could
participate in it -- they could get money from this?
GOVERNOR: Yes. And I havs had discussions with President Ednunds
and the president of Florida Southern and of Rollins. as a matter
of fact, concerning this particular effort and they will be guests
at the meeting in Rollywood.
HODERMOTT: How about the University of Hiami?
GOVERROR: It will also participate.
HEIFLEJORN. Is this strictly in the higher education field?
GOVERNOR: No, air, as I said the Foundation purposes are virtually
as broad as those of other foundations. It springs, however, out of
the thoughts I had expressed in a speech to the State Chamber of
Commerce almost a year ago, in which my emphasis was placed entirely
on higher education.
VIRCIGUERRA: Will there be an administrator?
GOVERNOR: Those are details that will be worked out. Necessarily,
when the volume bccnnes great enough there will be.
JONES: will it handle anything besides professors salaries?
GOVERNOR: Yes. As I say it can handle anything that the normal
foundation can handle.
MODERMOTT: Would these all be involving supplements or would these
be total salaries?
GOVERNOR: Of course, there is no limitation in the charter. The
thinking that I had which went intO'thia. ncwever, use that so far
as the state universities are concerned this would be supplensntary.
HEIRLEJORR: If the Foundation receives funds from someone use at a
private school where there has been some integration, would they
mess with those funds too?
GOVERNOR: That would be determined by the officers from time to time.
Actually, as I say. the charter is expressed in the broadest terms.
This thought, however, has not been mentioned before. nor has it
occurred to me
RAKER: Governor, the session is about a week and a day away from
its conclusion. Have you had any conclusions of your own as to the
progress that has been made and as to the situation as it stands
now in contrast to its progress in past years?
GOVERNOR: well, of course. most of the broader and important
purposes that I had for the Legislature have been, or are in the
course of. being achieved now. The reapportionnant problem was.
h
of course, primary with me. The balancing of the budget without
additional taxes was a primary aspiration of mine. And then the
achievement of a number of other things such as eocheatment, safety
legislation, things of that kind are well along the way.
FRYE: What are your hopes for constitutional revision at this point?
GOVERNOR: I hepe that we are going to get a good constitutional
revision.
PHYS: You still think that we will?
GOVERNOR: I think there is an excellent chance that we will.
DELAHEY: Governor, in the congressional respportionmnet plans that
hsVe been approved by the House and Senate, there are several
differences, but one place where they agree is in setting up two
North Florida districts, which they have. I believe, numbered 8 and
9, but in any event, which center around Tallahassee and Gainesville,
respectively. The total population in those two districts amounts
to less than 500,000, yet there are three or more districts in Central
and South Florida which contain more that 500,000 people each. be
you think this is fair?
GOVERROR: Let me put it this way - no plan that I have personally
favored up until this time achieves that result, including the two
plans of which you speak.
DELANEY: Well, do you think the set-up that I just outlined a moment
ago is fair?
GOVERNOR: I don't know what your standards of fairness are. I would
rather not have it that way.
DELANEY: would you veto a plan which came to you that way?
GOVERNOR: I could not say that until I get to see it and see
what the overall picture is.
HALDRON: Governor. do you have a plan or your own?
GOVERNOR: Yea. I do, It has not so far met with very much favor.
HALDRON: Well, aren't you in the driver's seat on this thing?
GOVERNOR: I would hope that I have some influence on the course of
deliberations. I would not say that I was in the driver's seat.
HALDRON. I mean by vetoing their bills you could provide that the
5
four would have to run at-large?
GOVERNOR: If that is putting me in the driver's seat, than
I am, but that isn't the direction in which I want to drive, I can
tell you. (laughter)
DEIANEY: Has your plan been offered in any bill form?
GOVERNOR: No, it has not.
FRYE: Do you plan to offer it in a conference committee?
GOVERNOR: I am trying to work towards it in that fashion.
FRYE: What is it?
GOVERNOR: I would rather not discuss the elements of it yet.
FRY: But it does not include a new congressman from North Florida?
GOVERNOR: Well, it certainly involves a re-shuffling of the
counties in North Florida. They will not be the same districts that
they are new, but there will be more representation there as in the
rest of the state.
RAKER: Governor, back to taxes for just a minute. You said that
you were very well satisfied with the balancing of the budget and yet
the budget is not balanced yet. The Appropriations Bill has not been
finally brought out. Do we take this to mean that you feel that the
appropriations bill will be in line with what the lower estimate was
and that you will be able to finance the appropriations without
additional taxes?
GOVERNOR: I know, of course, that there will be some modifications
as the bills go into conference committee. as there ought to be, but
I an reasonably confident that the bill as brought out will be
within our expected ability to finance.
FRYE: In your thinking about revenue -- have you accepted the $771
million House estimate?
GOVERNOR: Naturally. Of course, that allows you even in the House
figures some several million dollars of leeway. Some $h million,
I believe. But I think you must keep in mind that we don't have a
double entry set of books here. We are dealing with estimates. On
the one hand we are dealing with estimates of revenue and on the
other hand we are dealing with estimates of expenditures, for
obviously the various departments and bureaus are not going to spend
exactly the amount appropriated, nor are they going to receive exactly
the amount appropriated.
CHANDLER: Governor, there seem to be a multitude of individual
spending bills still pending in the Legislature and some efforts
to raise some little amounts of money to cover them. Do you expect
to exert any influence to keep these individual spending bills from
being enacted to throw our $771 million estimate out of balance?
GOVERNOR: Each one is going to have to be considered on its merits
in the framework of the financial picture as it appears at the time.
And, of course, nobody knows yet weht that framework will be. I will
say, Mr. Chandler, that it is my purpose to keep the budget in
balance.
BAKER: At the last session there was quite an uproar about some of
Governor Collins activities in vetoing specific commas, and dashes
and question marks in the General Appropriations Bill. I wonder
if you hsVe had any indication that the members upstairs might
want you to take a little more general attitude on appropriations
and not to do what they call "vetoing commas and such."
GOVERNOR: I would assume that the members of the Legislature would not
want me to exercise any veto powers. (laughter)
FBYE: Governor, have you abandoned all thoughts and hope now for this
double utility tax. It has not come in at all?
GOVERROR: The chances are not as great as they were. (laughter)
DELAHEY: Would you say that it has about as much chance as the
"right to work" bill? (laughter)
HALDBOH: This spending philosophy bill which cleaeed the Legislature
yesterday, have you finally had a chance to critique it?
GOVERNOR: My information is ~- I have read it -- and my information
is that it is a good bill.
WALDROR: You dont feel it will hamper the Budget Commission?
GOVERNOR: No, not more than it should be hampered. The Budget
Commission is like any other agency of government and ought to
operate within a reasonable framework. As long as the framework
of its powers is a reasonable and workable one, I would have no
objection to that framework.
NALDRON: Would the bill still provide that the Budget Commission
could withhold at its discretion certain amounts of money?
GOVERROB: Of course. It will allow the Budget Commission a
considerable latitude as is necessary.
PRYE: Have you had any contact with other Southern Governors or
had any information about the "freedom riders" and their plans?
GOVERhOR: No, I have not been in contact with any of the Southern
Governors relative to that matter.
FRYE: I Just wondered if this bill that went through yesterday
at your request was Just something you thought we should have in
case or if you had some reason to believe that they might be coming
to Florida?
GOVERNOR: I have no reason at all to believe that they would be
coming to Florida, I don't have any special information about it.
JONES: Is there any new development in the suspension status of
Duval Engineering and Contracting Ccmapny?
OOVERROR: Not that I knew of.
DELANEY: Governor, this congressional reapportionnent plan of yours
which you said has not met with too much favor, has this lack of
favor been expressed in private conference or have the legislative
leaders actually had your plan?
GOVERNOR: In private conferences -- in my efforts to sell individuals
on adopting the overall plan.
DELANEY: has the lack of enthusiasm been pretty adamant?
GOVERHOR: I don't think anybody is really adamant about redistricting
as of yet, it is too much up in the air. I know there
are individuals who say I want my county to be thus and so, but
in my experience it takes a majority of each house to reach a
conclusion and sometimes you can override particular objections.
FRYE: Is north Florida the place where the main objection is?
GOVERNOR: No. The problem really doesn't rise too much in North
Plcride. It is Central Florida.
FRYE: I mean the fact of creating a new district in North Florida
limits what you can do down in the populoua areas?
GOVERNOR: That really isn't the problem, in my view, nearly so much
as the difficulty of working out in Central Florida homogeneous
districts.
VIHCIOUEPRA: You mean politically speaking?
GOVERNOR: Yes, politically speaking, because this is politics.
when I say homogeneous, though, I mean with economic interests and
social interests roughtly alike. I don't think we ought to assign
8
one congressman. if you can avoid it, to represent a district which
contains diametrically opposed and fairly equally balanced groups.
If you can get a big district where most of the people or that
district reel reasonably alike, you have a better opportunity for
getting everybody in there satisfactory representation in congress.
That is what I mean by homogeneous. I am not takling about homogeneous
as between parties, but homogeneous as between philosophies and
economic outlooks within a district.
HCDERKOTT: Governor, have you had much preseuna from the Congreesren
in Washington to push your plan?
GOVEROR: no pressure at all. A lot or interest.
RAKER: Governor, I saw a statement in the editorial pages in some
of the newspapers that we were getting close to the end of the
session and there was a possibility that even now we might have an
at-large plan. Do you envision any danger or four at-large congressmen?
GOVERNOR: There is always a danger, or course, until a plan is
adopted. I certainly hope that will not be true.
FRYE: In the event they sdnpt one of the plans that has now been
passed in one or the houses and you don't like it, would you consider
running at-large a worse evil -- I mean in vetoing it you would have
to balance one against the other to decide it, wouldn't you?
GOVERNOR: That is right. Until I see a plan, I can't tell.
CRANDLER: Governor, on another subject. there is a bill pending on
the House calendar which would forbid Florida from participating in
the Federal Aid to Education Program as now moving in Congress. Do
you have any views on this particular subject as to whether Florida
should be excluded "run that?
GOVERNOR: Well. that all depends. Of course. there a lot of bills
pending in Congress. There is a measure pending in Congress which is
patterened after our cigarett tax, for instance, under which Florida
and other states would be rotated a share or income tax which they pay
into the national coffers. If this were rotated, I would be in favor
of that kind of aid.
CHANDLER: I had specific reference to President Kennedy's Federal
Aid to Education?
GOVERNOR: I am apposed to most of the proposals I have seen from
President Kennedy for federal aid.
CHANDLER: If a federal aid bill should pass in Congress and Florida
should have $19 or $20 million a year made available. would you be
9
PAGE 1
3CIATED PHE33; Dick Dale, ] .-Jetsney, ORL;sN90 5ENT PMS,5 Ir|TET:II?.T JOl;jtE; Clora Ov13 Lewf o, FRE-. LaliCT: Eta; ] FiAE.D-3T. PEThit:35UsiG "~1]-.] .Pf3RY PAPEE<3; :Toorse Fra Til: -; :Morre Tr.ur-to, PLI
PAGE 2
.. ..vo ... ~io d=ir ilru t .r.. at i
PAGE 3
11etin th fis rbemfrt.nen ...p.... ... a adt eua Interest in that investigators, ov 10s; Well, of course, I 9111 have .ng tnvolving law er.forcement in F1 -isiona mado as to any action in th
PAGE 4
bring any crisiinal action. So far as the Band fica concer'ened, I have asked the Attorrey General to g as to whether or not if we sue our recovery will b it will be a substantial amount, I have nat yet r opinion. And I dontt mind telling ycu that if his
PAGE 5
GOV NO: T raton 1 .-nYh esreo aae. o n ne you~~~~ ~~~ re..l .... ......arurbro ia hesshreaJ Esa aurdad d~ngasbut liited hesi ....~.i ... .mer h to e Ger~~~~ora ~ ...n ..ud .... ndgv e eina pna a ow
PAGE 6
y ..r t. in t. ...av .ie ..nwr I.aent
PAGE 7
.T:l .A ..dll ..irj .ols .ae .h .ol .oti~e -rr isw'rgwu' 1 htc~aiuop ud frh e~vlu~ .... .......? 00dE1:2 I uino ur Wat hebildi povd rlaiv o 15
PAGE 8
S I E:Gr; not seen t-w resolution. Certal:lly the Lerislature exr:r!!. /he tu::-r it r|1-:3 sc or riot I rirari r t rMly MON --.re' j U-,r. :105 esistigyt, .30'.-(:r"307, -0 "jt 5:21587~ O!ME 0721-'11053!! Silt d .1 for :'111tne vacarsies --er-;ste:d in thrt war.ner or, durird 6 -L1 s tus:, t er ri:1:: r!
PAGE 9
its of the Palm Beach 5heriff's Departnent had wit 1, if so, have you determined whether there is a r into that case? I keve had a report en the conversation, but the iision nade or indicated to anyone relative to >f thia office in 20000 affairs other than the gi. we stand, of cource, for good law enforcenest 1:_ ity or any other, rou all investigating anybody in the Tampa Bay are
PAGE 10
of ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ .... .n. ....rso hge erig nFols owr h n
PAGE 11
GOVi%0~i' The ar('anirating. officers nre Jmi-rs Alter M" Tarlipn, Join Pace of Pensacols and myself. The corpnration pr^viden, howes tMt there ahnll be not less than three nor W're than 19. As s''tin 0:= we are orgelad and underway, the afficers will be eganrid wii changed, I suspect. VI::CIGUERRA : :yvernor, ho rtuch rir.ney will th+s Feudatic.n e int^ bliaineiss with? GO'iE-NCi: The chartsr requirna that it have pl.0['O in eenh. EtCDEEia02T' Wll, actually, bow otuch pioney will you brive? r0'lai[il: ':-'e won' t irrow ur;til wa have r'ur dinrar em Jumi il Act'asily, we have pledgre right ww fr-:s abr-ut 313.000 a year that h Mat cera in voluntarily, RYE: la that a fund-raising dinraer -I mean they jus a 7:ras pledg O'J~.R"203: It is Ir, prrt yes -G~-: It i,1 not n cr-st per plate ^r anythin;liso that? 30MER: l'o, ria'Ir. FRY ~: iney just orike pledges. Gr'VER::02 Thut is er-rrect, VII|CIDUi:.iGA : .;111 there be a guest spenker er will that t'e yru, 21 00'158-05: lin. there will be a guset spanior. VINCJGUinfin: Do you kra-' who it is? GOVEE01: Yso, but We are ret redy to Flake that ormounce's;ent yet. VIUCIGUE tilA : Se:':ebody rf natier.91 recogni tlan? ..E.~i ......no le a. Of course, this ar-plieEl learning, but aleD to privn1 g,, To the ear.ent that it : nica the state will be inved
PAGE 12
71t -he 1 e 1n n -1 11 11 11 -1 .-..RF T .... .. ou .. nvrit fZei
PAGE 13
... ..rt p i rrwi h ai .... b .l n i -f t e u ett -u
PAGE 14
GT -J: I tha 11 pu 1.n -.1 -nth 111-'1set t G1-R: No, y t h-, -.1 -1.t7
PAGE 15
....E.r .G .enr ....r .....ob ieruttueo ndv n r~~~~~r.'w:~~~~~~~~ .re .i .t ..rn ir, .r .h I...l .r ..ra .o~ ff r t ; t ci are l t le tm i t f rese o ra e h ri. M y, x re t., w T 11y tileae t'Re h s nd:iu l:prd r il rr
PAGE 16
.a ..y r-...... .ihohrGuhr oenr ... .......he 'fre m ri e s" rd h i n a
PAGE 17
er, nf course, 121til a pinr. is wilt rar..t etr-Je ne of the plans that has now to ycu danri like it, w-,uld yya Eoi nean ir vetoing it you wou] to de:ride it, wouldn't you? I see o p!:c, J cars't tell. su~eject, there is r, bill penuin, artid Florida from particlDat-lna
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