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NEWS CONFERENCE
GOVERNOR FARRIS BRYANT
TALLAHASSEE
JANUARY 30, 1954
NEWSMRN PARTICIPATING: Bill Bowen HCTV; Vernon Bradford, TAMPA
TRIBUNE; Robert w. Delaney, ORLAND6 SENTINELoSTAR; Barbara Frye, UNITED
PRESS INTERNATIONAL; John Hayes, WFOA WTVJ; Budd Hellichamp, ABC
RADIO; Jerry Mock, JOHN H. PERRY PAPE ; Allen Morris, CRACKER POLITICS;
Robert Sherrill, MIAMI HERALD; Doug Starr, ASSOCIATED PRESS; Ray Starr:
ABC RADIO; George Thurston, WJXT, FLA; Martin Haldrcn, 8T. IBTERSBURG
TIMES; Everett Hilliard, FLORIDA TIMES UNION.
GOVERNOR: Good afternoon. I thought you might be interested in a
summary report or my visit to the world's Fair site last Saturday. I
see negative head shakes, but nevertheless -- (laughter)
asAnroaD: Will you tell us about your visit, Governor? (laughter)
GOVERNOR: Well, since you insist. I wanted to be sure that the multi-
millions that we are taking or state and of private money and the
commitments that we are making are being wisely spent and in accordance
with the concepts that were originally presented. They are. The main
building is a magnificent building. It is a circular building with
180 feet diameter. The general structure of the building is superior
to that normally followed in Florida. It is so designed and constructed
that we will be able to take it down and bring it back to Florida for
use at a saving that will run between 25 and 40 per cent or what it
would cost to build the building here initially. I think, myself, it
is a good investment. The Porpoise Stadium and Pool, which are
extremely complex because of the necessity of furnishing the water,
the training pool, the stadium, the covering and everything, is
substantially completed and is beautiful. The Citrus Tower is
undoubtedly, in my opinion, for the money involved the single best
investment at the Fair. It has already, or course, received nationwide
publicity several times. It is beautifully located. We are at the
gate entrance to the Fair of one or the major parking lots, we are at
the gate entrance of the buses that come to the Fair to the special bus
detarkation point and when they walk off the bus they will be right at
the Florida exhibit, we are the loading and debarkation point for the
monorail, we are right by the tremendous Texas exhibit and they have
built an auditorium there which will hold thousands of people, none of
whom I believe will be more than 70 feet from the stage, they are
going to have a continuing show put on by the man who puts on the
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Rockefeller Center Rockette Show there depicting the growth or the
theatre -- vaudeville, etc., through the years -- they are going to
be turning them away and those that are turned away will come to the
Florida show.
BRADFORD: What are you planning on bringing back and where will it
be located?
GOVERNOR: No plans have been made, but we had thought generally
first of all of designing it so we can bring it back. As you know,
over in the Development Commission in that upper room now they are
counting on a continuing display of Florida products. It is
inadequate. There are many more products to be displayed. I have
it sort or in the back of my head, although I won't be here at that
time, that it would be a good thing to bring back and set up a
continuing industrial exhibit of Florida.
F318: 3111 it be here in Tallahassee?
GOVERNOR: It might well be located right here in Tallahassee. I
don't know or a better place to do it, because the Development Com-
mission is a natural agency or the government to operate it.
MOCK: Is this a state-owned building? Did the state put the money
up for it?
GOVERNOR: Yes, and we have to take it down when it is over. I say
it is state owned. The state has appropriated a total or a million
dollars. Out total budget construction and operation is six
million dollars, but the world's Pair Authority will cwn it and the
Governor appoints the world's Fair Authority and probably they will
bring it back wherever the Governor at that time wants them to.
BRADFORD: Can the Tower be brought back?
GOVERNOR: Yes, the Tower is going to be brought back and the Citrus
Commission will establish it, I believe, in the Lakeland area.
BRADFORD: How tall is it?
GOVERNOR: I don't know. I have in the back of my head that it is
110 feet with a 15 foot orange on it. (Laughter)
DOVER: Governor, you say you won't be here at that time that means
that you are not going to run for re-election?
OOVERIOR: Well, this thing will be running for several years.
(laughter)
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BRADFORD: It will run approximately through the next term?
GOVERNOR: That's right.
FRYE: I thought it Just ran for one year. Do you know how long it
runs?
GOVERNOR: Two years. It is scheduled to run at least that long.
FRYE: You had better run for a one-year term. (laughter)
GOVERNOR: I thought one interesting thing that came out of this
Saturn shot -- the successful Saturn shot of the 19-ton missile --
that you might or might not have been cognizant of was the fact that
now the size of these missiles is going to make it increasingly
necessary to build these missiles in Florida. And I think the day
is not far off -- it cannot logistically be very far off when the
production of these missiles will be a Florida-based activity. The
increasing size of these missiles and the increasing number is going.
it seems to me, to make that a necessity.
H.3TARR: Governor, don't you think the state could have donated all
of that Florida sand to the project instead of them having paid
$228 fob it isn't that a good promotion?
GOVERNOR: What project?
R. STARR: To the Cape and the Rocket itself they used all of that
Florida sand ~-
GOVERNOR: I didn't know they bought it.
R.STARR: Yes, air. they did.
GOVERNOR: Who did they buy it from?
R.STARR: They didn't say.
THURSTON: Have you heard any reason why they used the sand ballast
instead of scientific instruments or some other pay load on that shot?
GOVERNOR: well, I heard one of the scientists say you couldn't
improve on Florida sand. (laughter)
FRYE: If the sand is on the Moon we own it. (laughter)
HAYES: Governor, does the state plan to enforce the regulation or
the law which does not allow cigarettes to be sold to minors -
those under 21?
GOVERNOR: The Attorney General told me that he would I informally
asked him to check into that and see what responsibilities we have
in connection with it. I had not been aware of it. If there is
such a law and it is a valid and enforceable law, then it ought
to be enforced.
FRYE: Is there such a law?
GOVERNOR: I don't know. I read in the paper that there is, but
I have not seen the law nor do not know what has happened to it.
D.STARR: Dick Geratein used it in Miami it is a 1907 law and is
under the chapter on --
GOVERNOR: Did he succeed? Has the man been convicted?
D. STARR: No, he has not been tried yet Just been charged.
HOOK: This should bring up quite a problem on cigarette machines
of enforcement of the sale of cigarettes.
GOVERNOR: So far as minors are concerned?
ROCK: Yes, sir.
GOVERNOR: Oh, yes. I haven't read the law, but it seems to me it
would pose a problem.
D.STARR: Row about selling cigarettes on state property? will any
action be taken to atop that or will it Just continue as it is?
GOVERNOR: I have not contemplated any. no.
D. STARR: How about on university campuses?
GOVERNOR: I really have not given that any thought.
D. STARR: Would you be in favor of that, Governor?
GOVERNOR: I hope there is not a law that requires me to do --
although I will do whatever the law requires me to do, because it
will be extremely difficult and I think for the most part to most
people objectionable to enforce. I think it would probably be more
resented than prohibition.
FRYE: You mean against minors?
GOVERNOR: Hell, I mean 20 year old persons usually have pretty much
of a mind of their own.
FRYE: You said you hoped there is not such a law, mustn't there
be one if --
GOVERNOR: I hape there is no requirement for me to ban or to attempt
to enforce a prohibition against persons 20 years old smoking, for
while I think they ought not, the practical difficulty and the
violations that I would anticipate would. I think, be largely
reminiscent of prohibition days.
THURSTON: Have you had any estimates from anybody as to what kind
of impact the cigarette scare may have had on taxes?
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GOVERNOR: No, I have not. I have had no estimates from anybody as
to the long range effect of the cigarette situation.
THURSTON: Have you had any discussions with anybody?
GOVERNOR: Informal discussions with one or the people that handles
a good deal of Florida bonds in which he expressed gratification
that we had shifted from cigarettes to utilities as the basis for the
school revenue issue the education issue tor the reason that,
particularly now, the cigarette issues would be much weaker.
BOWEN: Governor, I understand that tag sales are lagging behind
previous years. This being the case February 20, would you extend
the date again this year for tag purchases?
GOVERNOR: No, I have no thought. As a matter or fact in this time
or relative prosperity I cannot think or circumstances that would
cause me to extend the tag date. I would certainly encourage
everyone to have their tags by the deadline.
R. STARR: Governor, over the weekend there was some .actngm
Alabama concerning the un-pledged electors. I know you have spoken
about Florida generally. I would like to ask you, air, now as
Chairman or the Southern Oovernors' Conference. do you think that
the Southern Governors' Conference could be used in any way to
promote this un-pledged electors idea?
GOVERNOR: Well, I don't believe there is going to be a meeting of
the Southern Governors' Conference until after our primary and I
think the meeting is scheduled for sometime in June, and it seems
to me that would be -- all other things aside would make it
impractical to do so. I know or no movement to do so.
WILLIARD: Have you heard of an Alabama Governor getting up a slate
for the Florida primary?
GOVERHOR: No, I have not.
WILLIARD: Has anybody communicated with you about the tax
assessing situation in Duval County?
GOVERNOR: Yes. I believe there is a law suit involving that
going on right at this time and I have been awaiting the results
of the law suit with interest, as I know everybody else has --
everybody else is interested in Duval County. Until that has been
decided, I really am not going to begin thinking about what to do
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because I don't have the thinking material yet.
VILLIARD: Is there a law suit? Is it over the assessment of a
certain piece of property?
GOVERNOR: It is over the intangible tax assessment.
WILLIARD: Oh! I was thinking mainly of the ad valorem tax on
schools.
GOVERNOR: Nell, these are related and because there are allegations
in this law suit which roll over into the other aspects of ad valorem
taxation.
DELANEY: Governor, Mr. McCrec, the Chairman of the Canal Authority,
said yesterday that he anticipated groundbreaking in February on
the Canal?
GOVERNOR: February 28, yes, sir.
DBLANEY: Have plans been made for where that would be and so on?
GOVERNOR: Yes, air, it will be near the Rodeheaver Boys' Ranch
in Putnam County. Mr. Johnson don't we have a release on that?
JOHNSON: Yes, it will be ready this afternoon.
GOVERNOR: we will have all the details on it in time for your
morning edition -- two colums. (laughter)
DELANEY: Would you care to specify the size or the headlines?
(laughter)
BRADFORD: Governor, have you reached an opinion on the desireability
or the site chosen and recommended by the Board of Control?
GOVERNOR: Only in a general sort or way. I have never seen the
site. I have seen some general data on it the size, the location
of it. The description that I have had or the terrain, which is a
layman's description, indicates that it is a well selected site.
Because of certain pockets in the area, I understand that exhaustive
boring tests are going to be made before any recommendation is made
because we don't want to run into caverns and so forth.
BRADFORD: Well, the Cabinet approval will not be sought then until
after all the borings are completed?
GOVERNOR: I think not. Now I have not talked with anybody about
that procedure, but I would think not until they have determined
that they have a site which in their Judgment is suitable, and
those borings are an essential part of such a determination.
DELANEY: Do you have an idea about how long that will take, Governor?
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GOVERNOR: No, sir. I have tried to call Dr. Culpepper this
morning, as a matter of fact, and he was on his way to another
location.
BRIE: You don't feel it could come up then until that has been done?
GOVERNOR: Ro. I really don't. I don't see any point in our making
a decision to accept the site which may prove to be unacceptable for
reasons nobody can at this time know.
BOWEN: Governor, again the State Supreme Court has upheld the
constitutionality of Bible reading in Florida classes, do you concur
with this?
GOVERNOR: I certainly concur with the desirability of it. I have
not done a study of the legality of the constitutionality of it,
but I certainly concur with the desirability of the decision and
applaud it.
THURSTON: Has there been any indication anywhere as to when there
might be a U. 8. Supreme Court decision on any of the reapportionment
suits?
GOVERNOR: I have heard none. I have no information relative to
that date. I thought you might be interested in the facts that
revenues on the Tunrpike are running 80 to 85 per cent ahead of
a year ago. This is a significant figure. Incidentally, it will
probably level off to about 60 to 65 per cent, because initially.
of course, there is a lot of curiosity that takes people to the
Turnpike. But the projections for feasibility were based for an
increase this year -- and mind you 3 this is for the completed
Turnpike with Interstate 75 pouring into it and that yet is not
the case -- of 25 per cent over a year ago, so that there is a wide
margin of acceptability in the situation.
DELANEY: Governor, to get back to that university site a moment -
there has been a report in Brevard County that Representative Pruitt
and some others were going to appeal to the Cabinet to consider
another site still in Brevard County. Have you heard from him?
GOVERNOR: I have a telegram from Mr. Pruitt on my desk asking me
to defer decision until he and some others -- I don't remember the
date they set -- had a chance to come up. I don't know when they
are coming right off hand -- Mrs. Rogers probably does.
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DELANEY: Do you plan to meet with them?
GOVERNOR: Oh, yea.
BRADFORD: Do you think any new site offer coming up now could come
directly to the Cabinet or do you think that should be referred back to
the Board of Control?
GOVERNOR: Well, I am confident that the Board of Education would refer
any site proposal back to the Board of Control. We wouldn't close our
doors to hearing about any site, but we would certainly want to have the
benefit of the recommendations of the Board of Control.
ERIE: If it's a new site?
GOVERNOR: Right. If it is one of the older sites, we will be delighted
to entertain it -- we won't turn it back to the Board of Control.
DBLANEY: Aren't they reversing the procedure as established in the
beginning on this, Governor?
GOVERNOR: Yes. If they are going to do what you indicate they are
going to do, about which I have no personal knowledge yea.
DELANEY: Well, have they not indicated to you that they want to talk
to you about offering a site?
GOVERNOR: The telegram asked me not to make a decision on it until
they got up here. I Just glanced at the telegram, but that's all
that I remember from it.
R.STARR: Governor, there have been some indications that there is
going to be a moVe afoot throughout the state to urge in future that
Road Board members be elected on staggered terms. Now that you are
completing this term of Governor, do you have any feeling along this
line?
GOVERNOR: Well, I don't feel that Road Board members ought to be
elected and I don't think a proposal to stagger the terms has any more
merit now than it had when it was abandoned a number of years ago.
BOWEN: Governor, sometime ago when the Management Study was made on
the Turnpike Authority and one initial statement was made, there has
been very little said about it. Can you bring us up to date on any
personnel changes or any changes within the Turnpike Authority since
the Management Survey?
GOVERNOR: Well, there is a new table of organization, but one or the
results of the study by the management group was the conclusion that
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by and large the organizational structure -- the administrative
structure was good, that most of the policies that were being followed
were good, but they had not been reduced to manual or written form,
that they ought to be and generally the Management Study, as I recall,
resulted in a formalization by and large with very little shifting of
personnel or procedures and structure already instituted.
Are there other questions?
SEVERAL: Thank you, Governor.
GOVERNOR: Thank you .
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IS'RNO FI ~ I BalN .T.. L.. .I .. .. E
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PAGE 3
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PAGE 4
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PAGE 5
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PAGE 8
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PAGE 9
the polleies that were hedng to i reduced T.a manual or written to ally the Management 5tudy, as I T and large with very little shifti et-are aircady instituted, stions?
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