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NEWS CONFERENCE
GOVERNOR FARRIS savmr
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA
JANUARY 18, 1962
NEHSMEN PAREIOIPATING: Vernon Bradford. TAMPA TRIBUNE; Hendrix
Chandler, ASSOCIATED PRESS; Robert 9:. Delaney, ORLANDO SMINEL-STAR;
Barbara Frye, UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL; Chuck Goetz. FLORIDA
BROADCAST NEWS; David Oretsch, FREE LANCE RADIO; Allen Morris,
CRACKER POLITICS; Frank Noel. ASSOCIATED PRESS; George Prentice,wTVT;
Steve Prentice, FLORIDA BROADCAST NEHS; George Thurston, FLORIDA
BROADCAST NEWS.
GOVERNOR: Gentlemen and lady, we have a friend here of Florida, Hr.
Melvin J. Slacks, of Tallahassee, and under date of January 14, I
received a letter from him that inspired and stimulated me. It read:
Dear Sir:
when we moved down here from the North several years ago
the furniture movers innocently brought along my well-worn
snow-shovel. Ever since then it has reposed, rusting and
neglected, under our porch. Just what to do with such a
useless piece or hardware has long bothered me. but now I
think I have the answer.
I hereby offer to donate it to the State of Florida and
suggest that it be enshrined in one of the "welcome Stations"
along our northern border, with a suitable inscription
telling the south-bound tourist that he is now in a land
where such instruments of torture are unknown, and where it
can also remind the north-bound tourist that he is return-
ing to a land where such "back-breakers" will again become
a necessary part of his existence each winter.
Only someone Who has dug himself out of three root drifts
on a zero day could appreciate such things or smile
indulgently when fellow Floridans shiver and complain about
"ac-degree cold waves".
Very truly yours,
Melvin J. Slacks
hr. Slacks, we are delighted that you are here and we
appreciate this contribution to the lore of Florida, and to the
Floridana, which this contributes so much to.
SLACKS: Well. thank you. Mr. Evans has taken the trouble to put a
drape on this. (undrapes shovel)
FRYB: we have been guessing and we guessed everything but that.
(laughter)
GOVERNOR: Well, there we are. You know, I have never seen one of
those things for real.
BLACKS: That's well worn, too.
GOVERNOR: It is Well worn, isn't it? Look there. You won't have any
need for it anymore.
BLACKS: Not a bit.
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GOVERNOR: We will put this at the Havana Welcome Station, sir, the
newest station that we have -- the driveuin station there -- to carry
out the thoughts that you expressed and I hope it will inspire many
of your former associates and our new friends to stay in Florida.
SLACKS: I think it will.
GOVERNOR: Thank you very much, Mr. Slacks.
FRYE: Where do you live?
SLAOKS: It's on Monticello Drive, but in Tallahassee.
FRYE: Where in the north?
SLACKS: Chicago, Illinois. And this snow shovel has shovelled snow
in Illinois and Iowa both.
GOVERNOR: It's a legitimate product in Illinois and Iowa.
CHANDLER: what business were you in up there, Mr. Slacks?
SLACKS: I am still in the same business. I am a representative of
the United States Department of Labor. I was Just transferred down
here -- and my snow shovel, too. (laughter)
FRYE: If you get transferred back, do we have to return your snow
shovel?
SLACKS: I am going to see that that doesn't happen. (laughter)
DELANEY: Until you have been on the business end of one of those
you haven't lived.
GOVERNOR: Well, do you have any questions this afternoon?
CHANDLER: Governor, have you become involved in the discussion over
the proposed director for the Sunland Training Schools Division?
GOVERNOR: Have I been involved in the discussions?
CHANDLER: Yes. Do you have an opinion as to the method of
proceeding with the designatiOn of a director -- whether to designate
the present director in a dual capacity or whether another person
should be named to this post?
GOVERNOR: I think initially we probably ought to name Mr. Dozier in
an acting capacity until the substantial divergencies of Opinion have
been resolved. I think there are good arguments both for these to
secure a medical man and also to secure a non-medical men in the
administrative field. We are somewhat hampered, of course, by lack
of funds in the sense that no specific appropriation was made for a
medical director and his staff, and, therefore, the expedient of
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appointing Mr. Dozier at this time will help us meet that difficulty
as well as for the time being resolving the other one.
CHANDLER: no you know whether Representative Reedy agrees with this
view or not?
GOVERNOR: No, I don't. I have an idea that he does not, but we are
not disagreeing with Representative Reedy. He Just haven't reached a
conclusion as of now and this will enable us to reach a conclusion.
CHANDLER: Governor, do you have in mind that Mr. Dozier might serve
until the 1963 Legislature makes a formal budget allocation for this,
or would this be Just for a matter of a few weeks or months?
GOVERNOR: I think it would depend upon first of all, the resolution
of the basic argument as to which type or man is best qualified,
because to some degree that will determine whether or not we can
proceed immediately or whether we must wait.
FRYE: Well, isn't Dozier already in charge or those institutions?
GOVERNOR: He is in fact doing that Job now, and, of course, his
designation in this capacity would not involve the employment of
more people or the creation of an additional staff. Let me say to
you, however, I am but one member of the group that makes these
recommendations and I am not attempting to usurp their authorit1,
I am Just trying to respond to your question.
DELANEY: Governor, you said that you had an idea that Hr. Reedy
might not agree with your thinking on this. Has he made a specific
recommendation to you?
GOVERNOR: Yes, he has. He is very much in favor of a medical
man.
DELANEY: Has he expressed a recommendation on one man in particular?
GOVERNOR: I would rather let you talk with him about that.
CHANDLER: Governor, how do you stand on the Everglades Express
way?
GOVERNOR: How do I stand?
CHANDLER: What position do you take on it?
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GOVERNOR: I think it is a matter that ought to be explored. I am
anxious, however, to not make any move on this until we are confident
it is what the people in the area want. The Legislature did pass
authorizing legislation -- it did not provide any money. Since that
time, the county commissioners and others have, by resolution and
letter and telephone calls, petitioned us. I am a little bit in this
situation concerning it -- and I have no hesitancy in eXpressing it:
So far as the turnpike was concerned, I had a definite commitment to
the people of Florida to do that Job. and therefore, in spite of the
protest of some local interests, I felt committed to do it. This is
not true or the Everglades Expressway, and I want to be sure before
we make any irrevocable decisions that we are moving in accordance
with the desires of the people mostly affected.
FRYE: Have the petitions been for or against?
GOVERNOR: All of them have been for, with one reservation that I
know of. As a matter of fact there has been ~~ over a period of
months now, ~- there has been a-rather overwhelming expression ;hat
way. But I know, from the experience on the existing turnpike that
as we move along and start to make specific decisions there are going
to be interests that are going to rise up to protest. And if and
when that time comes, I want to be sure that we are moving in accord-
ance with the wishes of the substantial body of those served.
FRYE: Are you authorized to build it?
GOVERNOR: Yes, ma'am.
CHANDLER: Would you ask the Turnpike Authority to make this study,
Governor, or would you do it on your own?
GOVERNOR: No, it would be done in this fashion: The Turnpike
Authority would handle the basic elements of the study. They, of
course, would ask the Road Department traffic people to make the
traffic studies upon which the Turnpike decision would be based.
If the preliminary studies by the Road Department indicated that this
was a feasible thing to do, then it would be necessary to employ out-
side traffic engineers to make estimates upon which revenue certifi-
cates could be funded.
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CHANDLER: Do you recall the proposed route -- would it go by Fort
Myers or by Naples or by.....
GOVERNOR: I think this proposed route is yet to be determined. That
is to say, how far can you finance it? Miami to Tampa is what they
would like to do. The question is how far can you finance it ~-
where do the people want it?
DELANEY: Governor, in a bond validation proceeding recently on
some Canaveral Causeway bonds, there was testimony that land in
Brevard County that was going to be acquired by the federal government
for a price of an estimated $60 million was currently on the Brevard
tax rolls assessed at $7 million. Do you think this represents
realistic assessment?
GOVERNOR: This is the first I have heard of that. I would say,
without knowing a thing about it, that either the assessment or the
appraisal is not accurate. I suppose they are both very real, but
one or them obviously is not accurate.
FRYE: Governor, have you been apprised of this shooting of a
deputy sheriff in Palm Beach County?
GOVERNOR: Yes.
FRYE: Is your office involved in it in any way? Have you been
asked to help?
GOVERNOR: we were not there. You mean involved in the investigation
FRYE: Yes. I Just wondered if they had asked for assistance?
GOVERNOR: Yes. We have been very interested in the Palm Beach
situation as you know, and we are providing what help the local
people feel is necessary from the state level to meet this problem.
PRENTICE: Have you ordered a hundred troopers in there?
GOVERNOR: No, sir.
PRENTICE: He had reports that you had ordered a large number of
troopers in the area.
GOVERNOR: No, sir.
FRYE: What type of help did they......
GOVERNOR: Investigators is all. A few investigators is all.
PRENTICE: No mass of troops.
GOVERNOR: No, sir.
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CHANDLER: Is this a critical situation down there, Governor, this
matter of the gambling operation -- is it scrathinc of a very serious
nature?
GOVERNOR: Any crime of a nature that involves the indictment of
succeeding sheriffs is necessarily serious and we expect to run it
to the ground. Of course, whenever you get so but after whoever
may have been offended that they start killing people to interf:.:
with the investigation, if that was the motive, this indicates, 0?
course, that it is a very serious thing to the people involved.
FRYE: What type of investigators did ror send?
GOVERNOR: Male. (laughter) I'm sorry. Just criminal investigaors.
FRYE: You're in a very facetious mood today. I Just wondered if
the investigators on your staff or the Sheriff's Bureau or .....
GOVERNOR: I would rather not pinpoint the others and say that my
staff investigators plus others.
FRYE: And you don't want to say how many?
GOVERNOR: No, ma'am.
THURSTON: Governor, have you had any indications that the new t-aie
agreements and the lowering of the tariffs in Europe was seine '*
influence Florida imports and exports?
COVEPJOR: I am not familiar with the details of that aereexeut
sufficiently to be able to answer that. I am familiar with the
inquiries that have arisen in connection with it, and I will be in
Washington this weekend and expect to look into it at that time.
THURSTOH: Are there any other Florida products that mi;ht be
involved besides citrus?
GOVERNOR: I really don't know.
FPYE: What is your main business in Washington?
GOVERNOR: Several things. One of them involves the tariff matter.
FRYE: Is that specifically how it affects citrus?
GOVERNOR: That is the principal thing, although I want to explo~c
the whole thing. I want to see Secretary Hodges. also. he is
setting up some regional conferences that I am interested in Floriia
participating in, relative to tourism. I want to visit with him
about that. I want to visit with the Congressional delegation
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about our program for waterways development during the coming year.
And generally at the beginning of this Congressional year to
establish liaison and lines of communication.
DELANEY: Do you have anything new or anything specific that you are
going to talk with the Congressional delegation on?
GOVERNOR: Just to cover the field or our activities and theirs.
DELANEY: Cross-state barge canal?
GOVERNOR: That, of course, will be part of it. We hope that the
study will be completed shortly and we hope, or course, that it will
be even more favorable than former figures.
CHANDLER: Governor, the President recommended $205 thousand dollars
in planning money for the budget for the Cross State Barge Canal.
Is that in line with your recommendations?
GOVERNOR: Exactly.
CHANBLER: And the other recommendation which he made....
GOVERNOR: As a matter of fact, it is a little bit further, you
see, than we previously had reason to believe we were going at this
time, and I feel it is a wonderful sign for the prospects for the
future.
FRYE: When will you be in Washington?
GOVERNOR: Friday and Saturday.
FRYE: Friday and Saturday?
GOVERNOR: Yes, ma'am. I also expect to attend on Saturday night the
inaugural anniversary dinner, at which the President will speak.
DELANEY: That is Saturday night?
GOVERNOR: Yes.
CHANDLER: Will you likely have any discussions with the Congressional
Delegation regarding revitalizing the Democratic Party machinery in
Florida?
GOVERNOR: I don't think the Eemocrats have a machine in Florida.
CHANDLER: The machinery, I mean.
GOVERNOR: Actually, of course, there is plenty of vitality in the
Democratic Party in Florida. Now, there is some question about
everybody working toward a common goal, but I think the Democratic
Party is the only vital party in the state.
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DELANEY: Do you intend to take part in any of the Congressional
campaigns this year?
GOVEENOR: Are you talking about in November?
DELANEY: Yes, sir.
GOVERNOR: To the extent that may be desirable and called for.
DELANEY: In other words, you will support all of the Eamocratic
nominees?
GOVERNOR: If they are as good men as historically they have been and
as I expect them to be, yes.
DELANEY: Can you visualize one not being that way? (laughter)
GOVERNOR: Hell, I will meet that problem, of course, if it ever
arises. (laughter) My country first and then the party. (laughter)
DELANBY: I would like to get back for a moment if I may to the
Brevard County matter. If the Federal Government is planning to
spend $60 million for that land, which is now on the tax rolls at $7
million -- if these figures are accurate -- do you think this
indicates a need for a close look at the overall assessments in that
county?
GOVERNOR: Hell, I think we need a close look at overall assessmc.t
in all counties. I do think, however, that you have to keep in mind
that land values in Brevard County have naturally gone up greatly.
DELANEY: Do you think to that extent?
GOVERNOR: You have me dealing with two elements of an hypothesis
the accuracy of neither one of which I am convinced. It is kind of
hard to comment on a situation. It is not that I want to dodge it.
Let me say so far as appraisals are concerned, as you know, I favor
them, and have been doing what I could to see to it that appraisals
approach -
DELANEY: The $60 million figure came from the U. S. Corps of
Engineers.
GOVERNOR: That's the whole island isn't it?
DELANEY: That's for land alone. Unimproved land alone. That came
from the U. S. Corps of Engineers. And the $7 million figure came
from Mr. Maxwell, the Brevard County Tax Assessor, and was admitted
into evidence in thzbond validation suit in Circuit Court here. If
that helps you at all as to the validity of those two figures.
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GOVERNOR: Now, what is your question, assuming that?
DELANEY: Well, do you think that the land valves have gone up in
Brevard County to the extent that land appraised --
GOVERNOR: $53 million?
DELANEY: Yes, sir.
GOVERNOR: I doubt it. No, sir, I don't think so. I think probably
the appraisals were lower than they ought to be, but I don't have
any idea how much.
FREE: You mean assessments are lower?
GOVERNOR: Yes, assessments. Probably appraisals are low, too.
CHANDLER: Thank you very much, Governor.
GOVERNOR: Thank you, lady and gentlemen.
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PAGE 2
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PAGE 3
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PAGE 4
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PAGE 5
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PAGE 6
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PAGE 7
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PAGE 9
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