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saws CONFERENCE
oovsanoa FARRIS BRYANT
TALLAHASSEE
SEPTEMBER 12, 1963
NEWSMEN PARTICIPATING: Ray Anderson, FLORIDA BROADCAST NEWS; Bill
Bowen. WCTV Robert W. Delaney, ORLANDO SENTINELSTAR; Bill Eger,
UNITED PRE83 INTERNATIONAL; David Gretsch, FREELANOE; Allen Morris,
CRACKER POLITICS; Don North, ASSOCIATED PRESS; Steve Prentice, FLORIDA
BROADCAST NEWS; Tom Raker, INSIDE POLITICS; Ray Starr, ABC RADIO;
George Thurston, WFLA,WJXT; John Turner WPGA,WTVJ; Martin Waldron,
ST. PETERSBURG rmamm HERALD saavxa.
GOVERNOR: Good afternoon. Are there any questions?
MORRIS: What progress are you making on the legislative session for
November? (laughter)
GOVERNOR: So far plans are still in a formative stage. (laughter)
RAKER: Governor, were you pleased with the turnout for your meeting
in Tampa Saturday?
GOVERNOR: Yes, not only with the quantity of people there, which of
course was gratifying, but particularly with the quality of people
there. I really felt that among the people that were gathered there
there were a substantial percentage of the real leaders or Florida in
civic areas and that this hoded well for the purpose for which we
gathered.
RAKBR: Are you in accord with Secretary of State Adams campaign on
the formation or this group to push the off-year election amendment?
GOVERNOR: I understand that there is a group which has been organized
to do this. I have expressed myself as being generally favorable to
that proposal without going into the specifics of it, and therefore
any group that tries to bring its merits to the attention of the public,
in my opinion, would be good.
NORTH: Governor, will the Tampa meeting be your only outorntown
appearance in support or the bond amendment?
GOVERNOR: I anticipate -- in fact I have scheduled several speeches
around the state which in the normal course of events I do anyway and
at those I anticipate expressing myself on the bond issue.
GRETSCH: In the tentative program that you are organizing do you see
any specific trouble areas in the state?
GOVERNOR: I am not really organizing this program. Mr. Fleming, Mrs.
Kidd, and the various chairmen are doing the organizational work. I
could not, therefore, answer that question.
DELANEY: Have yoo had any areas come to your attention, Governor, that
look like they might be trouble spots?
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GOVERNOR: Well, I would rather say it this way: I believe that some
areas are more favorable than other areas. But I believe all the areas
111 support the program.
BAKER: Where in Florida do you think you are the strongest on this?
GOVERNOR: In the growth areas, I think, where the people have felt
the great growth needs and have been making active, sometimes success-
ful sometimes unsuccessful, efforts to secure industry, but in the
process or doing that have come up on the need that to get the quality
industry that they want, for this kind or educational need this is
the area where it is being more favorably received. Particularly in
the Miami area I didn't mean to say Miami in the Orlando area,
the presence there of Martin Company with its new research facilities
and its tremendous need for hiring competent technical people. It
creates a real awareness or the significance or this program for the
state.
BAKER: You inadvertently mentioned Miami what is the reaction in the
Miami area?
GOVERNOR: It is good. Peepla have came to realize what a large part
or the program is dovetailed or pointed at Miami. There are ten
million dollars, as you know, for the Junior college there, another six
million for the Junior colleges in Broward and Palm Beach Counties, and
eight million dollars for the Palm Beach university these together
make up one-third of the total expenditure and it means a great deal
to those areas to be able to provide education for their children so
close to home.
WALDRON: There has been some dealy in the approval or the university
budgets for the current year. Is there any reason for that delay?
GOVERNOR: Salary budgets?
HALDRON: Yes, sir.
GOVERNOR: The budgets had been reviewed and sent to the Budget
Commission, as you know yes to the Commission they have been in the
hands or the Director, but to the Commission Just the other day with
the Director's recommendations and there is some feeling that adjust-
ments need to be made in some areas, but nothing precipitate was desired
without full consultation with the Board or Control. And I think that
is in progress now. This is the reason for the delay. It is not
unusual at this biennial time, particularly in view or the fact that
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the raises in professors' salaries last time and those proposed this
time are more than they have been in other years.
HALDRON: Do you think it will be approved Tuesday?
GOVERNOR: I don't know whether the additional studies going on now will
be completed at that time or not.
WALDRON: There has been some report that there was a five-week delay
in getting them from the Board of Control to the Budget Director's
office. Have you heard that?
GOVERNOR: No.
NORTH: Governor, are you aware that some teachers in the university
system are being paid on the basis of those Board of Control proposed
raises now?
GOVERNOR: Yes, I am aware of it as of Tuesday.
NORTH: What will happen if the Budget Commission rejects the raises?
GOVERNOR: Now those raises to which you refer are only in the category
of those professors who are paid twelve months. The ten months
professors their salaries begin with September and, therefore, none
of them have been paid. There are only 66 in the twelve-months category
to which you refer and they are scattered among the university system.
Those whose salaries are not approved at the level recommended initially
by the Board of Control will necessarily be cut back in their salaries
to whatever level is ultimately set.
NORTH: Will you than require them to pay back the money that they have
already been paid at the higher salary?
GOVERNOR: In a sense I would assume the mechanics of it would simply
be that it would be deducted from a future check if that should
eventuate.
DELANEY: Have you heard any reports, Governor, from the Board of
Control on their progress in finding a site for the university of
Florida Engineering College extension?
GOVERNOR: I believe Dr. Reitz said in Tampa the other day that they
expected to make a definitive report in the next few days. Now I don't
remember the exact date, but he did give the date down there at the
press conference so somebody who was there could probably fill you in
on that or he could.
EOER: Governor, on the Board of Controls action today they approved,
I believe, a site near Pensacola for a new four-year college.
GOVBRHOR: Yes.
3033: Do you have any comments on that, sir?
GOVERNOR: I have known, of course -- I think it was generally known
that that particular site had been recommended by the Committee set
up for that purpose. I have not myself seen or made an inspection or
any of these sites, but from the reports that have been made to me it
seems the Site Selection Committee did a good Job.
WALDRON: Is that site being donated?
GOVERNOR: Yes.
HALDRON: The story referred to condemnation proceedings being started
and I wondered about that?
GOVERNOR: It may be that the local government needs to acquire certain
additional lands to put into the amount, but as far as the state is
concerned it is being donated. I believe they propose to include some
island property in this and it seems to me I have heard something about
condemnation proceedings for that purpose, but it would not be on the
part of the state. The state in this instance is the dense.
WALDRON: Governor, have you read the report of the Florida Advisory
Committee for Civil Rights Commission on the situation in Florida?
GOVERNOR: No, I have not.
THURSTON: Governor, in view of the successful intervention of the
Public Utilities Commission in the General Telephone strike would
you encourage state intervention either through them or some other
agency in the PRC strike now that it is beginning to interfere also
with the Cape's operations?
GOVERNOR: I certainly would hope that any good offices that can be
afforded by the state to achieve a settlement of that strike would be
utilised. I recognise, however, that this is under the Jurisdiction of
the Interstate Commerce committee and the various labor laws passed by
Congress specifically coverning railroads. I don't think except in the
sense of volunteer offices that there is any official place for the
Railroad Commission in that activity.
THURSTOH: Has the state labor mediator been active in that strike?
GOVERNOR: Only to the extent of keeping himself and to that degree me
informed so that we might be alert to any opportunity to be of service.
(Very early in this strike, Mr. Youngman did eat to bring the parties
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together.)
THURSTON: Have you been invited by either party or by the Federal
Government to become a -
GOVERNOR: No, I have not. No, the state has not been so invited.
WALDRON: Do you have any thoughts about the use of impeachment for
circuit Judges generally?
GOVERNOR: No, I really haven't. or course, it is a cumberson
procedure maybe that's good but never having served in the Senate
and having voted on an impeachment in the house only once, and then in
the very green years or my service, I really haven't developed a
philosophy on that.
DELANEY: Governor, have you had.an opportunity yet to name the members
of the study group on capital punishment called for by the Joint
committee?
GOVERNOR: No. I had hoped, frankly, to get a certain category of
official who have a particular competence in this area, but I was
unable to secure their agreement and understandably so. And for that
reason I have got to start over in my search for proper people. I am
advised, I haven't been able to discover it, that during the last
administration a very thorough study was made on this total problem,
which I hope to be able to find and it any or you know or its where-
abouts I would be very grateful.
DELANEY: what particular category was this that you spoke of that you
were unable to get?
GOVERNOR: Part of my understanding with them was that if they didn't
accept I wouldn't reveal their identity.
DBLANEY: You said understandably they were unwilling to serve?
GOVERNOR: Yes, I can understand why they were unwilling.
DELANEY: But we can't?
GOVERNOR: No, you can't.
TURNER: Do you have any ideas, Governor, as to what areas of the
capital punishment system the committee might look into?
GOVERNOR: I would assume that the purpose of the study would be to
determine whether or not the exercise of the supreme penalty is an
appropriate punishment or any.
3883: what are your present feelings on capital punishment?
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GOVERNOR: Unchanged.
EGER: Having not been here before what are those feelings?
GOVERNOR: Well, I have gone into them at quite some length. It you
wouldn't mind consulting with re. Middleton. I think she can probably
find the old press releases on that. I know these gentlemen would be
bored by repetition.
R.STARR: Governor, did you confer or did Governor Wallace of Alabama
talk to you, either in Miami or at the Southern Governore' Conference
in white Sulphur Springs, about running in any primary?
GOVERNOR: About who running?
H.8TARR: About him running in any primaries either in Ohio or in
Maryland?
GOVERNOR: No.
3.3TARR: Did Governor Wallace discuss thie.with you? Did he discuss
primaries at all?
GOVERNOR: Well, I can't imagine a group of Governors being tagether
for a number or days and not diacuaeing primaries, but I dont remember
any suggestion by him to me at any time relative to his running either
for governor or any other office}
WALDRON: Did he suggest that you run?
GOVERNOR: I-don't believo he did.
R.STARR: Were there not, sir, some suggestiona sent to yen after your
appearance on Meet the Preaa that you do seek a higher office?
cavemen: Reluctant as I am to admit it, yes. (laughter) Are there
other questions?
GHETSCH: Governor, the other day there was quite a hit of discussion
at the Bond Review Board meeting pertaining to the $u million loan
coming up for Florida State University and the wording in the contract
pertaining to ~ 1: in the future they wanted to they could rent some
or the space to visiting professors and instructors. In the resolution,
itself, it la worded differently, t says faculty members is this a
somatic problem or is this the intent of the issue to build this for
faculty membera?
GOVERNOR: I think it nae clear it was to me that under the
indenture provision was made for the rental by the university to
students or faculty members of quarters-in the proposed dormitory. The
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representation by the administration of the university was that
certainly at this time no such use or the quarters was anticipated, but
that they did have the authority to do so and conceivably in the future,
particularly for instructors who were indistinguishable, I think, they
said from graduate students for all practical purposes, and possibly
for visiting professors on short tenure, these might be utilized. That
was my understanding or the proposition. The representation by hr.
Carraway was that he thought these ought not to be used for faculty
members. My suggestion was that this was not a problematioal
consideration by the Bond Review Board, but would.appropriate1y come
before the Board of Education.
BAKER: Governor, still in the field of higher education, have you
discussed with the eminent center from that rest University of Florida
football team the probable outcome of Saturday's game with Georgia Tech?
GOVERNOR: I have been subjected to his views on several occasions at
some length and if the score is any reflection of his opinion we'll
really lay them in the aisles. (laughter)
DELANEY: Governor. you said yes had not read the report from the
Florida Advisory Committee to the U. 8. Civil Rights Commission, do
you intend to?
GOVERHOR: Well, I don't have any intentions concerning it. No, I
don't intend to and I don't intend not to. And if I get down through
all the mass or reading that I do keep or more important material
until 1 reach that than I will read it. But so far the prospects don't
seem too good.
DELANEY: Has any or its contents been called to your attention?
GOVERNOR: Yes, I have observed casually in the press the reports or
its contents-
DELANEY: But you would rather not comment on it?
GOVERNOR: I am not really sufficiently informed to give a good Judg-
ment on it. I think that is a federal advisory group and not a state
group.
EGER: I am interested in the Everglades Parkway project, sir. The
Development Commission has acted on the project and, as I understand
it, the Band Review Board also. These have actually Just been
approvals of the bond issue itself and fiscal responsibility or these
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issues have been declared by these boards.
GOVERNOR: The Bond Review Board also passes on whether-or not this is
consistent with the intent of the Legislature. I believe that is one
of the facets for their consideration.
BGER: Did the Legislature take any action on the Everglades Parkway,
sir?
GOVERNOR: I don't really recall. They did to the extent that the
statutes that have been enacted by the Legislature according to the
Opinion of the Attorney General and the staff of the Bond Review Board
do authorize the construction.
EGER: I see. Well, sir, there has at least been a question raised,
specifically I think by the Triple-A, and I would like to have a brief
comment if you can on the safety of a controlled access two-lane 78
mile highway. have you satisfied yourself that this is going to be a
safe project?
GOVERNOR: I would say that it is more safe than an uncontrolled two-
lnne highway.
RAKER: But not as safe as a controlled access four-lane highway?
GOVERNOR: Nor a six or an eight, that's correct.
ORETSCR: How much more would it cost to build a four-lane highway?
GOVERNOR: I don't know. I don't think the study was made of that
after it was determined that the prospective traffic didn't warrant
it. However, I understand that the engineering is to be laid out in
such a fashion that if and when traffic does warrant it, it can be done
with a minimum additional expense.
EOER: I understand, also, that they are buying right~of~way for a
four-lane. Is that correct?
GOVERNOR: Yes.
THURSTON: Were you accurately quoted, Governor, as telling members of
the Florida Civil Rights Committee that this committee's activities
were Just another example or federal interference with state affairs?
GOVERNOR: I think the alleged remark occurred at a time when the
president or chairman of the civil rights group appeared before the
Cabinet with some criticism of our activities, and I suggested to him
that his voluntary intrusion in his official capacity was in my opinion
another example of unwarranted federal intrusion into state affairs.
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R.STAER: Governor, have you made plane or do you anticipate making
plans to be in Tampa in Rovember when President Kennedy comes to
Tampa?
GOVERNOR: I have accepted an invitation to address.the same group,
I believe, that the President will address. I believe he is going to
address the Chamber of Commerce group there. I have an appointment
to address that group, too, but I have not checked upon its coincidence
with ~-
R.8TARR: I believe the President's is on the 18th.
GOVERNOR: I don't really know when mine is. I Just know I have an
invitation to be there.
Are there other questions? Thank you, gentlemen.
SEVERAL: Thank you, Governor.
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