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NEWS CONFERENCE
GOVERNOR FARRIS BRYANT
TALLAHASSEE FLORIDA
JANUARY 25. 1963
NENSMEN PARTICIPATING: Vernon Bradford, TAMPA TRIBUNE; Robert W.
Delaney, ORLANDO SENTINEL STAR; Barbara Frye, UNITED PRESS INTER-
NATIONAL; James Gillelpy, UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL; David Gretsch.
CAPITAL NEWS SERVICE; Ovid Lewis, FREE LANCE, Jerry Mock, JOHN R.
PERRY PAPERS; Frank Noel, ASSOCIATED PRESS: Tom O'Connor, TAMPA
TRIBUNE; Frank Pepper, HCTV; Steve Prentice, FLORIDA BROADCAST KENS;
Tom Raker, INSIDE POLITICS; Dave Starr, ASSOCIATED PRESS; Ray Starr,
WRFB; Tommy Thompson, FLORIDA BROADCAST NEHS; George Thurston,
WFLA-WJXT; Glenn Tomlinson, FLORIDA BROADCAST NEWS; John Turner,
UTVJ, NFGA; Rick Tuttle, MIAMI HERALDHST. PETERSBURG TIMES SERVICE;
Bill Watkins, NCTV; Martin Waldron, ST. PETERSBURG TINES-NIAMI HERALD
SERVICE; Paul Hills, ASSOCIATED PRESS.
GOVERNOR: Good morning.
HILLS: We were betting you wouldn't show up.
GOVERNOR: It's nice like this.
I want to announce that the Florida Traffic Safety Council
has been completely organized. It will become operative about
March 1; it has been completely staffed; it's going to be privately
financed. I haVe some little brochures that we are putting out which
indicate the purposes, problems, the members of the organization. I
will be so grateful, as will the members of the Safety Council. and
I would hope those people whose lives will be saved, if in 19-
Safety-three you will give us maximum cooperation on this. These are
here for your information.
I want to express, too, the hope that you will convey
through your media to both those concerned on the part of management
and labor, the significance of their actions for the State of Florida
in the solution of the REC Railway labor dispute. we are Just about
to enter -- we are entering the greatest tourist season of our
history and it is so important that as we attempt to recover from
the freeze that we not have our ability to move agricultural products
out off.
Are there questions this morning?
FRYE: Are we recovered from the freeze?
GOVERNOR: Yes. ma'am, I think we have recovered from the freeze in a
very great way. I think we have been very fortunate. I don't mean
that there are not individuals who have not been pennanently and
seriously damaged -- there are. But industry-wise, I think we can
see that over a period of two or three years our situation will pretty
well level out, unless, of course, we have another freeze, which
seems very unlikely this morning. (laughter)
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GOVERNOR: Money'has a very significant role to play.
Are there other questions?
DELANEY: Governor, to get back to one question on rsapportionment.
You said when we concluded the last special session that you would
not call another one unless you had strong assurance that something
worthwhile would come out of it.
GOVERNOR: I don't have them. I have changed my mind.
DELANEY: You don't have strong assurance.
GOVERNOR: Nb. What I was trying to do, and I was not really fooling
anybody at that time that was my intention, but nevertheless in the
back of my mind I thought there was a better chance to get an
agreement under an assumption that they wouldn't come back unless
they had one. And I tried that, but when I failed and reviewed the
alternatives left open to me -- which were on the one hand to sit
passively by while the federal court takes over,or on the other hand
make one last desperate effort -~ I decided that the interest of the
state in my opinion required one last effort and it is on that basis
that I am making the effort.
WALDRON: had you not called the session, do you think that the
Senate would have voted for the self-starter session?
GOVERNOR: I don't know. But there is a time factor there, too,
because I think there is a minimum of In days after enough pledges
are in before it can be called. I don't think the federal court
can wait 14 days. It has got to meet and hear arguments and render
an opinion in time for elections. 80 it might have been impractical
for the self-starter anyway.
GRETSCH: Have you heard any reports, Governor, on how far this
present cold wave has penetrated the state and if there is any more --
GOVERNOR: No, I have not. I heard that it was below 52 this morning,
though.
THURSTON: Is there anything left to damage?
BRADFORD: Where was that in Miami? (laughter) Were you in accord
with the Board of Control's action in delegating many of its duties
and powers to the executive director?
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GOVERNOR: I am not yet fixed in my own mind as to every detail of
what they did, but the general pattern of what they did does have
my wholehearted support. It has become increasingly difficult,
in some cases impossible, for the Board of Control to keep abreast
of the tremendous mass of detail. Just like in my own office. I
have to sign every deed that the Trustees issue and the Board of
Education. I spend. I suppose, an hour a day signing papers in a
purely mechanical way and this is by constitutional requirement
usually. But there is no point in it. I sign all the deeds that
Mr. Kidd tells me to sign as a practical matter. Well, then really
it ought to be Mr. Kidd signing. And in this situation, the Board
of Control with a vast mass of details is following the injunctions
of its staff. Well, in that situation we ought to delegate to the
staff and let them do the whole mechanical thing. It will expedite
the work of the staff, too, because they won't have to spend all
their time dealing with the Board on these administrative matters.
BRADFORD: Well, do you feel that the Cabinet Board of Education is
being sidetracked or left aside in any way?
GOVERNOR: In no sense at all. The relationship of the Board of
EducatiOn to the Board of Control and the universities is unaffected.
The Board of Control is not usurping any powers. It is merely
exercising the powers it was already exercising in a somewhat
different fashion.
DELANEY: Rave you replaced John Evans?
GOVERNOR: No, sir.
DELANEY: In his duties as press aide?
GOVERNOR: No, sir.
DELANEY: We thought you had and we were going to say that we
thought you had made an excellent choice.
GOVERNOR: Well, fine. I appreciate that. we have been getting
wonderful results. (laughter)
Are there other questions? Thank you, gentlemen and lady.
TUTTLE: Than you, Governor.
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THURSTON: Governor, have you received the necessary strong
assurances from the Legislature that they can indedd come up with
a plan?
GOVERNOR: If you refer to the plan that I have been trying to
secure commitments on -- R2 -- lhu -- the answer is no. I have
not and although I am still wedded to it, I have no great confidence
that I will be able to secure those assurances.
FRYE: What changed your mind?
GOVERNOR: I have been talking with all members of the Legislature
that I could. Having failed in my own plan, but feeling that there
is some hope that some plan better than was turned down in November
will be arrived at, I have decided to go ahead and give the
Legislature an Opportunity to come up and make a try at it. Part
of the assurances that I have received are that if we can't do
anything during the next week that steps will be taken to adjourn
the Legislature and go home, that they will not stay here for 20
days, but that they will conclude their labors during next week
and if they are unsuccessful in reaching a solution, go home. I
do not have a majority pledge on this, but I do have assurances
from sufficient persons to lead me to conclude that there is such
a strong probability that that will be the course.
DELANBY: Governor, on Monday afternoon, I believe, you felt that
there was no change in the situation after your conference with
Senator Carraway and a group of House members, is that correct?
GOVERNOR: Yes, that's true.
DELANEYQ Did something happen between Monday afternoon and '
yesterday? It so, what?
GOVERNOR: Yes, I had conversations over the telephone with a
number or other Legislators, including a number or those on the
minority side in the Senate, who conveyed to me the feeling or the
minority group in the Senate--and I speak now of the group that
is characterized at least by Senator Price, senator Pope and that
group -- that they were very anxious to have a session such as this
and urged me to make the call. One reason that they wanted me to
make the call, and one reason the Senators had been reluctant to
turn in their own votes for the self-call session, was that they
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didn't like the 30-day limitation or extension, and they didn't
want the hide-open session, but they did wanton opportunity to
attack this problem again. And since both sides in the Senate took
this affirmative attitude, it had something to do with my change or
sentiment.
BRADFORD: Are you in a position to support, Governor, their views
for redistricting other than 38?
GOVERNOR: Yes, sir.
R. STARR: Governor, if you are asked to speak hetero the special
session will you present a plan?
GOVERNOR: No. I think they know my plan by heart.
DBLANEY: From this Senate minority group, Governor, as some or us
call them, did you get the idea that they might have picked up one
or two additional votes from what they had during the last session?
GOVERNOR: I really think the situation is this: That both groups
have virtually a majority, but there are some Senators who are
pledged to vote either way, or both ways rather.
WILLS: Hell, will you support the R2 Senator plan, as well as the 38?
GOVERNOR: If it is coupled with a house plan -- if the package is
a better proposal than we had in November, yes. The critical question
canndt be one house or the other alone, but the package.
WILLS: would that also apply to the 38-Senator plan?
GOVERNOR: No, the 38-Senator plan, I would support by itself
because it is within our Constitution and ought to be done and ought
to have been done, regardless of the present controversy.
WILLS: What approach should you take -- constitutional amendment
or law?
GOVERNOR: At the present time, we must have a statute. I would
hope we would also have a constitutional amendment, but that would
be ineffective for this Session.
FRYE: Do you think the 38 plan would meet the Federal court
requirements?
GOVERNOR: No, I do not.
FRYE: Not even with the drastic reshuffling in the existing seats?
GOVERNOR: what they said was that the existing constitutional and
statutory provisions are "invidiously discriminatory."
FRYE: Well, what do you expect the court to do than if they pass it?
GOVERNOR: Well, that I am happy to say, is their problem and not
mine, but I would rather not prognosticate that. I would hope that
a plan can be passed which will meet with their approval and the
State Supreme Court's approval, as well as the Legislature. You
know we still face the problem that if we get a statute passed, the
Supreme Court of Florida might not approve it either, but as I
indicated way last August, we are in the middle or a political
Jungle now and we Just have to fight our way out thicket by thicket.
FRYE: If it won't meet the court requirements have we made any
progress? And doesn't any plan that is passed have to go before
the Federal Court?
GOVERNOR: It does. However, you must remember that the Federal
Court is not the court or last resort on the Federal side. That an
argument has been had recently before the Supreme Court in Washington
by eminent counsel that will have some bearing perhaps on the guide-
lines that sre going to be required. If the Federal Court, for
instance, in Washington, says that one house, if on population
Justifies the other On geographical or other considerations, this
undoubtedly would affect our local deliberations.
FRYE: Governor, would a 38-8enator plan take care or the situation
in your opinion. with no change at all in the House, since it has
already been apportioned in '55?
GOVERNOR: As I indicated, so far as our Constitution is concerned,
yes. So far as the Federal opinion is concerned, it seems to me
what they have said -- although they haven't ruled on this particular
question and therefore I can't be precise - but our present
Constitutional and statutory provisions relative to the Senate and
the House, are invidious, and therefore, a 38 reapportionment would
not, under those circumstances, satisfy the Federal Court. This,
however, is another matter.
PEPnER: Governor Bryant, have you used any methods other than your
persuasive ability on this?
GOVERNOR: No, sir. Nothing. You mean have I used patronage or
road relocation, etc. No, I have not. I have noticed that there
has been some call in the paper by the leader of one of the other
political parties in Florida, for me to do that, but I don't plan
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or intend to do anything of the kind.
BRADFORD: Governor, do you have any plan to ask the State Supreme
Court, for an advisory opinion on the legality of --
GOVERNOR: we have been working on a possible request for an opinion
which I was able to study some yesterday, but it is not in a form
yet -- and it may never be -- that we will want to put to the Court.
WILLS: What would you ask them? what points do you want cleared up?
GOVERNOR: Well, it would be advantageous to everyone, of course, if
I could find out whether or not in the performance of the duties of
the Governor's office and the discharge of its responsibilities,
I should proceed with the assurance that a statute in terms violate
of the state Constitution would be legal by state law. If, for
instance, they say it wouldn't, than we have an impasse and there
is no way out of the Jungle at this level. One reason that I am
slow to ask is that I am afraid of the answer. (laughter)
PRYE: would you rather wait until afterwards to find out?
GOVERNOR: Well, actually you see there is some difficulty in
framing a question so that it legitimately affects the powers and
responsibilities of the Governor's office. Such a question does
have to be in that form, if you follow what I mean.
FRYE: Well, you have no plans then, you will not address the
Legislature?
GOVERNOR: I have no plan to do so.
DELANEY: Governor. should you get an answer from the State Supreme
Court, assuming you ask them fer this advisory opinion, and they
said that a statutue violative of the state constitution would not
be Operative, then would you consider the possibility of amending
the Constitution if the Legislature can agree on samething new.
to call for a regular session this year, say two months later than
ordinary so that the people could have a chance to vote on an
amendment?
GOVERNOR: Really I hadn't thought that far down the pike, Hr.
Delaney, I don't know what we will do in that unhappy situation
at the moment.
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FRYE: It you had a constitutional amenasent passed with the statute,
would that go to 6k or would you ask for an emergency election?
GOVERNOR: Yes, ma'am. No, I don't think we can get a 3/ vote under
present circumstances for anything. As a matter of fact, at the
moment I don't think there's a majority concensus for anything, any
one plan, and the great difficulty in talking with these fellows
over the telephone; while I'm talking about #21h4, I could get a
precise answer yes or no, but when you leave that, then every man
has a plan of his own.
FRYE: Well you Just called this then and this is Just your point of
desperation?
GOVERNOR: Basically, yes, that's true. Basically, I want to exhaust
every possibility to solve this problem at the state level. I don't
want, if we fail, to have contributed to the failure by my inaction
or failure to act.
PEPPER: Governor Bryant, in the event that this group coming back
next week -- the 29th -- should again fail to reapportion the state
and the federal court should reapportion it, how long would it take
before the state would again have a chance to?
GOVERNOR: April.
PEPPER: They could attack it again right away?
GOVERNOR: Yes, sir. Just as soon as there was a new Legislature
constituted it could be done.
PEPPER: Regardless of whatever plan the federal court had
constructed?
GOVERNOR: Oh, I am sure or that. There will be nothing inviolable
in the federal plan. I would rather think that the federal court
would probably set up some temporary expedient rather than a
permanent solution. They'd say, "We'll do this until you have had a
chance, the deadlock being broken, to work at it again," because
this court, and I think every court, recognizes that the Legislature
is the best body to do the Job 1? it will.
FRYE: Governor, in your opinion what are the chances of passing an
acceptable plan? And, also, in your opinion it one is accepted,
what plan do you think has the best chance of passage?
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GOVERNOR: Well, first of all, to your first question about 50-50.
(laughter) I don't really know, hrs. Frye, what does have the best
chance. The several plans: 109, 112, 11, 120 in the house are
being considered; 38 and 82 in the Senate -- a Senator with when I
talked this week, who was one or the 38 group, said he might be able
to go along with the 39 plan on the theory that that was Just a
"leetle" bit unconstitutional (laughter). So I really can't give
you an affirmative answer.
BRADFORD: Governor, you are convinced that if the state fails to
act before April that the federal court will?
GOVERNOR: Yes, sir. Personally convinced.
WILLS: What plan in the House seems to have the best chance now,
seems to have the most support, other than your own?
GOVERNOR: I don't know. I have had flat assurances by a group of
legislators that they could get a majority for a certain plan and
then have that same group sit in my office and start arguing among
themselves.
GRETSCR: Do you know what Mr. Rowell's plan is for the House?
GOVERNOR: No, I dont.
FRYE: Abolish it. (laughter) Governor, if the Legislature should
by some miracle come up here and in a few days solve the reapportion-
ment problem, would you then broaden the call to include the states
rights resolutions?
GOVERNOR: Well, I want to see how we get along. They have got to
have a 3/Bths vote to pass those resolutions, I believe, anyway.
I believe they are of that nature and what does it take to broaden
the call -- 3/5ths vote.
PRYE: Two-thirds vote.
GOVERNOR: Two-thirds. Well, there is a little margin there.
FRYE: I thought they were Just simple resolutions that could be
passed by a majority vote.
GOVERNOR: I thought these were constitutional proposals.
FRYE: Just resolutions to Congress.
GOVERNOR: on, Just resolutions to Congress. Well, then I do have a
little margin of influence there that might be significant.
wALDRON: A small stick?
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GOVERNOR: Yes, a very small, legal stick, which I would not hesitate
to use to solve the overriding problem or reapportionment.
HALDRON: Well, then, you don't think there is any chance that a
proposed amendment to the State Constitution will come out of this
session? The only thing we have any chance of passing is a statute?
GOVERNOR: You are talking about reapportionment?
WALDRON: Yea, sir.
GOVERNOR: Oh, I hope an amendment will come out or it. You can't
tell. Once the Legislature has settled down on a particular plan
by statute, they might say, "Well, now that that has been decided,
let's try to do it right and go the whole way. This may satisfy lots
or people back home. I voted against the thing, but when they beat
me down we might as well do it constitutionally."
PRYE: Governor, the constitutional amendment you keep talking about
-- would that be a different plan from the statute or would that be
one putting the statute into a constitutional amendment?
GOVERNOR: Well, I am really not talking about any one, but the idea
was that it would be the same plan put in constitutional form.
Are there further questions?
R. STARR: Governor, on another subject -- could you give us a little
run~down abOut what happened in Washington, how well you were received
there and what you think the chances are for '6h for the convention?
GOVERNOR: I think they are very good. I think that is particularly
true in view of the agreement by Awa to put in the cables that we
need running north -- this was a prime consideratiOn. I think that
among the members of the National Committee if a poll were taken as
to where you want to go, Florida would win hands down. I think it
would have a majority over every other place that applied. Now, there
are political considerations and there are financial considerations.
We did not get into the financial considerations in Washington,
because that was neither the time nor the place nor possibly the
group to do it with. I think our chances are good to do this. I am
very anxious to do this. In 196% the World's Fair will be meeting
in New York and while we are going to have a good exhibit there, a
tremendous exhibit there, we need something to pull people to Florida.
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We will be able to work up a tremendous package operation with the
National Conventions if we can have them here.
R. STARR: You feel that when they break down in the Spring and get
down to about five or six cities that they will visit Miami?
GOVERNOR: They are very anxious to. They asked the other day for
that privilege. But, of course, everybody wants to come to Florida.
BRADFORD: Do you feel that the protests of the NAACP in Florida
will have a significant affect against getting the convention?
GOVERNOR: I shouldn't think so. I think it is in very poor taste.
LEWIS: Governor, is there any plan for the Democrats next year to
put forth an effort to win the State of Florida for the presidential
nominee for the Democrats?
GOVERNOR: Yes, sir, I believe we will do it.
DELAHEY: 3; you think the decision on the Democratic Convention
site will be made by the National Committee or by the President?
GOVIBSJR: Well, I should certainly think the President's views
would be influential.
DELANEY: How do you think he stands?
GOVERNOR: I haven't any idea. I would think it would depend
somewhat on likely opponents. It the Republican nominee would be
one man from let's say Illinois -- and I don't even know if there
is anybody running from Illinois or not for the Republican nomination
-- this might be a reason to go to Chicago for the Democrats. These
are political considerations that cannot, by me at least at this
time, be foretold.
DELANEY: Do you think then it will be a bit later on when possible
opponents shape up before that final decision will be reached?
GOVERNOR: I would think so.
PEPPER: Sooner or later it comes down to a bidding proposition
doesn't it, Governor -- money?
GOVERNOR: It is obvious that this is a significant factor. However,
I don't think it is put Out purely on a high bidder take it
proposition.
PEPPER: No, I mean this is part of it.
PAGE 1
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