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NEWS CONFERENCE
GOVERNOR FARRIS BRYANT
TALLAHASSEE
DECEMBER 12, 1963
XEHSMEN PARTICIPATING: Bill Bowen, WCTV3Vernon Bradford, "meill.'
TRIBUNE; Robert w. Delaney, ORLANDO SENTINEL-STAR; Bardera Frye.
UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL; David Gretsch, FREELANCE; John Hayes,
ETPA, WTVJ; Jerry Mock, JOHN H. PERRY PAPERS; Allen Morris, CRACKER
FCLITICS; Don North. ASSOCIATED PRESS; Ray Starr, ABC RADIO; George
ThuLston, WFLA, WJXT; Martin Waldron, ST. PETERSBURG TIMES-MIAMI
HZIALD SERVICE; Roy weissinger, WCTV; Everett Williard, FLORIDA TIMES
UKIJN.
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.CVLRNOR: Good afternoon. Do you have any questions this afternoon?
FF?: Governor, are you familiar with the story out of Miami today
it: the Cuban relief may be ended sometime next year?
:1 'JNOR: Only to the extent that I read it in a wire story Just put
on y desk. I have no other knowledge of it. .
Ft: : What is your reaction?
o4YFPNOR: My reaction is that their action is probably appropriate.
Just on the surface it would appear to me that if people are offered
an :pportunity for employment and decline, for whatever reason is
sufficient to them, to accept it, that their claim on the Treasury to
the: extent is no longer valid. This is not to say that they should
be required to leave, but it is hard to put them in a welfare category
if nere is work for them to do.
_.,--
::;;: well, what would that do to Florida? would we have to take
them on as unemployed?
GOVERNOR: I don't know yet what the result of that will be. I would
anticipate that by far the greatest portion of them would accept. No,
as I understand it, these people would not be qualified for Florida
welfare and, therefore, they would be without welfare funds.
3.27338: Is the National Governors' Conference still working on this
Cuban relief situation for Florida, Governor?
GO (PNOR: Yes, it is. The National Governors' Conference took a
ran: ed active interest in the Cuban Refugee resettlement program at
it: Last meeting in July and the committee on it was expanded and the
:averal governors, individually, are trying to further it. Particularly
I Latex of one that I talked with in very recent time Governor Kerner
a? Illinois has a very active program in this respect.
TEURCTON: GOVernor, did you indicate to someone this week and I
beZLeve that the reason for declining to attend a meeting in Orlando
you didn't feel the need to attend because you weren't running for
E. J" HG?
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GYERNOR: I believe an invitation was extended to me as a potential
caniidate and I declined because I am not a candidate. (
HZLLIARD: Did you add "right now" to the end or that sentence?
GOVERNOR: No, air, but the sentencewaa open at the end of it.
..~.
\1 :il.n:,1.ter)
:ELAJEY: Here we go again. (laughter)
5;~..;: No, let's don't go down that route gain. (laughter)
CCHiHOR: Let's save that for some week when we don't have anything
to nite.
Have you heard anything about a potential Holland-Collins race
on :enate lately?
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' .NOR: Only what I have read in the paper and I have no personal
inf' ration about it.
F..:: What do you think the effect or that might be it there was a
Lend~Collins race?
GCLZHOR: Effect on who?
Fitz: The Florida political eituation and the upcoming Governor's
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G:T:?UOR: Very interesting. (laughter)
:513: Would it have any effect on your political plans or non-
: Iitical plans?
--
a 5303: well, I haven't formulated my plans. I don't have plans
2 now for anything political.
P?::: Do you think it would be as interesting as the Bryant-Collins
GCTEHNOR: Well, not to me.
FEYE: That's the same quote you gave us on that.
WALDRON: Would such a spirited campaign for Democratic nomination
for the Senate tend to overshadow the Governor's race in your opinion?
GQVERNOR: I really don't know.
NQETH: Governor, recently a delegation went to Washington to try and
g": a $50 million electronic facility located in Florida. You were
u;acle to be there, but have you had a report on that trip.
GOVEENOR: No, sir, -- well, I have had a report on the trip, yea. I
was unable to get beyond Atlanta on that particular occasion, but the
report was that the group making the presentation to the NASA cite
rea'-:cndation committee was greatly encouraged, not only by their
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rrtozrison of our presentation with that or others but also by their
r: :gtion by those taking the testimony.
:J'XSEY: Who were those people, Governor?
3 'TEOR: Well, there was Dr. Martin of the University or Florida;
f alppper; Mr. Howard Anderson, I believe, of the Council of 100;
I: Carter and I don't recall Just who else. We went at that
'ntunity really feeling we didn't have any significant chance to
w;;. but feeling that this was the sort of request that we ought to
ceasing skill at and work as hard as we could because we want the
e:;sion makers to know, even though we don't win at this time, that
we is have a great deal to offer in that field. However, the group
:42: came back said that we had under-estimated our own potential in
7;:1KEY: Governor, with President Johnson in the White House now and
kl: being a native of Texas, do you think this will effect Florida's
efftrts to move forward in this particular area that we are speaking
stout?
SOVEREOR: Well, there are two things: first of all, I think when a
:2; becomes President of the United States his first loyalty is, and
I a: sure the President's is, to the nation and that he will be guided
in "axing these decisions by his concern for that interest first. or
273738, the naming of the missile center as Cape Kennedy in my Judgment
:;I-: -t emotionally almost impossible to downgrade Cape Kennedy in
5:-: of any other place. I have the very definite feeling that the
Pre:ident would not have taken such an action if there was in his mind
he remotest possibility that there would come a time during his
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administration when Cape Kennedy was not the forefront of the space
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2.:TAER: You say the renaming of Cape Kennedy Governor, you believe
in: Lt is Just the Cape. the Missile facility, that has been named
is this correct, sir?
7?.hxDR: No, sir. I refer you to Washington on that. The only thing
I 2.3: to impress upon you is that first or all, the State of Florida
ha: nothing to do with it one way or another. The President has
initiated that he thought the Cape ought to be renamed and I approved
2:: Erecident's and do approve the President's action.
fg: uEY: Do you consider this pretty much a closed issue now as far as --
;.u503: From what I read in the papers it is. As I understand it
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all been done.
ISZTRDN: Governor, do motor car companies furnish high state officials
:La free automobiles?
.RNOR: Not me. I don't know of any that they do. The Lincoln
ttcr Company has offered to every Governor in the nation a Lincoln
for 1 fee of $750 a year, which we are contemplating accepting in lieu
a: ~ae that the state has its money invested in. This $750 includes
all maintenance, tires, and is a little bit better deal than you can
get :nywhere else that I know of. The President, I believe, I think
it is common knowledge is furnished a Lincoln for one dollar a year,
but that's about the size of it. Now, I will make one correction --
sometimes when I go into another community, such as Washington, D. 0.,
one of the motor car companies will provide a car for Governors that
acne in and out for their use while there and sometimes we take
advantage of that in lieu of employing a taxi or renting a car.
3333: which company is that, Governor?
CC?:EXOR: In this particular case -- I think several of them do it ~-
: have used Buick on two or three occasions.
FREE: Governor, you say "we" are contemplating accepting -- you mean
the Governors or you?
a:v::xon: I don't know what the other Governors are going to do. I am
con-nzplating utilizing or renting from the Lincoln Motor Company a
Li: :n at a cost, including all maintenance, of $750 a year.
7;: x: That will be the official Governor's car?
" 703: well, I don't know how official it would be.
jL'ix: Are you planning to get rid of this big thing out here?
:3 ?HOR: xo, that has certain uses. I think that can be kept for
:;:' years. It has been you know.
Ui;:;t: It has been my information that'the Buick Motor Car Company
ant 'he Ford Motor Company claimed they have furnished some state
1&3: Leis this same type of deal?
"' :3: I rent a car. In addition to the one the state furnishes me
i 2: a car at a monthly rental, but there are no other and I rent
in rat from the Buick Motor Company, but from a local a state motor
c:::.zy. But nobody furnishes me any car for free except the state.
77*2: What would you do with this other car?
ZFTIfUCR: What would I do with it? Use it. I don't mean to be
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*Tioua, but the Cadillac is fine, but I can't drive the Cadillac
' well, and there are lots of times when I do my own driving and
there are lots of times, too, when people come into the city that
ought to be met when other Governors come, when officials come from
arund the nation, when Secretary Hodges was here, et cetera when I
neni a car for them. It would be used for such an occasion.
W;LURON: It enables you to travel without anybody knowing who you are?
GJVERNOR: Well, that's pretty difficult in Florida. I haven't been
ab;e to work it out yet. (laughter) As a matter or fact I don't
travel out of the city very much in an automobile. Usually I travel
in an airplane that is fairly well marked orange and blue.
DELANEY: Governor, this car that you rent is this for a token rent
or is this -
GOVERNOR: No, air, it is a real genuine rental.
2:1233Y: Cash on the barrel head?
3C:ROR: Yes, sir.
F322; Is that a state car?
301;KNOR: No, it's my car.
5523: Your personal car?
GGVERNOR: That's right. It is the Buick that I have.
FREE: Well, then would you quit renting that one or would you have
three cars?
GOVERNOR: No. I will keep that car, but the Chrysler which the
F13:Lda Highway Patrol now furnishes would be turned back to the
Elg*way Patrol to be disposed of or to be used for other purposes. It
would relieve the Highway Patrol of that cost so that itwould replace
a car which is currently being paid for.
FRYE: Well, all in all you have three care?
GOVERNOR: Three cars that's correct, one of which is mine. There
is also a truck. (laughter)
WALLRDN: You have 5 don't you? Ybu hava a Renault and a little old --
GVLRHOR: No, the Renault has been sold and the money turned over to
choral Revenue.
waldowi It was about six years old wasn't it?
GOVZENOR: I don't know how old it was, but I hadn't been using it very
muck. and it was sold.
1a;3333: You have several drivers in your family, don't you?
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c'T'RNOR: As a matter of fact, in Tallahassee only my wife and me.
133: One of them is in Miami.
QTV;ENOR: Right.
35* 7: Governor, do you foresee any effect on Florida or any trend
in -He closing of these military bases? Do you have any comments
on that?
SEVERXOR: Well, I don't know that any Florida bases are contemplated
and so I don't have any knowledge upon which I could base a comment.
il¥3: Governor, I understand the Miami-Dada Chamber of Commerce
wr:te you a letter concerning a meeting they would like to hold with
you in regards to the expressway delay in Dade County. Do you have
any comments concerning this meeting and when is such a meeting
planned?
GCVERNOR: I don't know that one is planned and I have no comment about
it at this time.
BOWEN: Governor, in an Associated Press story this week they reported
several ? and the two and a half billion dollar
educational bill and that Florida, according to the story, will
receive $45 million from this and this year 55 million. Is that correct
and, if so, how will we receive this #5 million dollars? Over what
period of time?
GOVERNOR: I am advised that the Conference Committee of the House and
the Senate have agreed, and I assumed this passed although I am not
sure of that, but I think there is an appropriation which does roughly
what you indicated provides a little over 5 million for Florida if it
takes advantage of it in the year ending June 30, 1964. It provides
for :oney on a matching basis, usually onethird in the case or
insiitutions of higher learning and technical schools,and other
in: 'futionc that are qualified other than public Junior colleges and
f'? per cent for public Junior colleges. It requires that the
*- -ngs built with these funds be in the area of mathematics, science
- ~ :cical and natural sciences and in related areas. It requires
CL; it be for the meeting of urgent increasing enrollment needs. Now,
Flzr;da must first of all designate the agencies through which this
money public junior college money on the one hand and the other
11" Tutions of higher learning on the other hand is to be made
u.-;ole. Then the criteria would have to be set down by regulation,
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- Licvc by the Commissioner of Education or the United States
-ument, and we will face this problem of convincing the Government
'3. our institution building programs fit into the criteria. I am
2* -dent that they do, that we have more than enough buildings to
4:11:22 all the funds that will be made available to Florida. I point
3-: 'w you, also, that under the terms of the bill for those states
who by the second year have not used up their money for the first year
that money will be reallocated. Florida, therefore, at this time
because it is ready to go will be in a position it such funds are
3:3.15ble to reap some greater benefits than initially thought possible.
ELTiN: Over what period of time will we be able to avail ourselves
a? :nis $h5 million?
&:Y;REOR: The money that has been appropriated is for the period
eating, I believe, in 1967. and the Congress has said that no further
m:n-e; will be available except upon further approval by Congress.
a.
Lervise the money Just carries over from year to year it it is not
used in the fashion that I have indicated.
EALDRON: Do you need any legislative action?
GOVERXOR: No, sir, we do not. I have got an opinion from the Attorney
G=neral relative to a similar matter in the field of mental health
21% :e.ta1 retardation and we are going to use, I think, almost
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375::33D: The one-third is from the state?
3;?39303: The one-third is from the Federal Government. That's correct.
3cm the last paragraph of this particular bill, I think is very
interesting, provides that the Federal Government shall exercise no
:rntral of any kind over curriculum, instruction and all the various
Tacit; of the local activity which has been a matter of concern for
tar:r who were considering federal aid.
XGFTX: This is all construction money, is it not?
ifTFTxOR: It is all constructbn money, but nevertheless this caveat
;laeed in.
" Governor, when you said 5% million
';-: your and the us by '67, which is three years, and in the two years
: 6:50 we may avail ourselves of more than SQ million within a twelve-
. period?
IJSR: The only thing that I can tell you I have the original
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:r v? the Conference report and I hava an AP list, I guess, or a UPI
list. I don't remember which, lists the amount or money availae for
Fltrida. I have no other information about the money available for
Florida. This is the base upon the calculations of the Commissioner
7: 7iucation on the number of high school graduates in 1959, plus
aa:1ncr ratio based. I believe, upon the population or the state I
forget what the other ratio is.
TFYI: The Board of Control say it will be $5 million a year for
c*;;e;e3 and $1 million a year for Junior colleges?
GT?ZRHOR: Who said this?
FEYZ: The Board of Control.
szxiuohz Well, I have no Specific information, other than the news-
;;;er listing that I Just received.
EFATFJRD: who will designate the agency the Cabinet or you or who?
C-fl'. ETCOR: I will.
7%:VRD: Have you done that?
' 2:03: No, sir.
ICFTH: will the agency that you designate also administer the funds
1531 go to private institutions?
ezvaanoa: Yes, and this is part or the problem. I want to see to it
Tc: whatever agency is designated does do so with adequate concern
r :rivate institutions. Now, the law requires that this agency
r::-:e making its determination does provide opportunity for all those
in::-tutions desiring to make application for presentation of their
233: before the decisions excluding them are made.
:3; KEY: What will your choices be as to an agency?
GFVZEUOR: Well, the natural thought is the State Board of Education
:e::;se it is an existing agency and does not require legislative action.
dn't want to wait on legislative action, obviously, and therefore
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a first thinking would be that it would be the State Board of Education
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nijner learning and would not cover Junior colleges. or course, not
tan Jin-or College Advisory Board for the same reason in reverse.
3:37:33: How does this ens million compare to the initial grant other
11- SOB: I really don't know. I didn't look down the list.
Are there other questions?
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T IJTON: Have you decided on an appointment to the Board of ContPOI?
F" 'NDR: No, I have not.
T LEY: Do you have any comment on Mr. Buchanan's resignation?
fiRNOR: Well, I regretted receiving it.
F372: Are you going to lose all of your people in the next year to
the candidates for Governor?
GOVERNOR: I hope not, but I am sure we will find other dedicated
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pecple to do the Job. _
WALBRON: Have you appointed a county superintendent in Palm Beach
County yet?
GQVERNOR: There is no vacancy.
THURSTON: Governor, do you hope to recoup all these
when you begin your next term? (laughter)
GOVERNOR: I haven'tfbrmulated my intentions on that.
EELANEY: Have you had any recent reports from Polk County is there
anything new down there?
G'VZEJOR: Well, in a great County like Polk there is always something
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DELANEY: I refer to the liquor licenses?
GOYEHNOR: Oh, no, I have not. (laughter)
BRDFORD: Governor, were you asked by some Pinellas officials to send
a representative into the county in connection with some county health
board problem over salaries?
GOVERNOR: Not that I know of. There is a question that has come up
out of Pinellas County but which is not limited to Pinellas County
relative to the supplementation of Board of Health employees by local
co :ties. The question arises as to whether or not it is consistent
wi-h the provisions of the Merit System and other state laws. I don't
know at the moment whether it is or not, and have not taken any action
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zcept to request a staff member to discover what the legal situation
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NORTH: where will you spend Christmas, Governor?
GOVERNOR: At Adams and First and Brevard, I hope. Yes, we plan to do
3:. Thank you. Are there other questions?
:EVERA : Thank you, Governor.
GOVERNOR: Thank you.
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don't know 01" ar.y that they do, The Lincoln arcd to every Governor in the nation a Lincoln ear, 1:hich 1:e are contemplating accepting in 1 itas its money invested in. This $750 incluac 3, and is a little bit tetter deal than you ca a i know of. The Preaident, I believe, I thir e la furnished a Lincoln for one dollar a year size of it. Now, I will make one correction nto ar.ather caminunity, such as "dashington, D. aompanies will provide a car for Governors tha scar use while there and sametimes we take lieu of" employing a taxi or renting a car.
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r.ybody knowing who you Florida. I haven't bed atter of fact I don't obile. Usually I trave orange ar.d blue. is this for a token re
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IIIar th i -iDaeChme
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..th. Y.1v more thyaluhbulin -t -ill 1 Y-eaalbet Roia on
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I have an AP list, I guess, or a UPI te the amount of money availaE'e for tion about the money Evailable for an calculations of the Commissioner -achool graduates in 1959, plus on the population of the state -I will be $5 million a year for junior colleges?
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