The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1947-09-25
TOO
LATE
TO

BY RUSSELL KAY

vvvVvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
Speaking before a civic group
in Tampa not long ago, Attorney
General Tom Watson emphatical-
ly denied that he was opposed to
the Everglades National Park. On
the contrary, he stated that he
was just as enthusiastically in ia
vor of its establishment as any
one in Florida.
Explaining his position, he
made it clear that when he did
oppose, was the transfer to the
federal government of valuable
oil and mineral rights in the park
area. He contends that the govern
ment should be willing to create
the park on its merits. without
footing the state of its oil rights.
He pointed out that the first
deed made by the state to the fe-
deral government conveying
lands for the park area was in
1914, and specific reservations of
all oil and mineral rights were
provided for and this deed was ac-
cepted by the government, but
that in later deed the state re-
linquished these rights.
He asks why this second deed
was made and terms it an unwise
and unwarranted gift of vast po-
tential state resources. ut is my
conviction that it is against the
welfare of the state and it is my
belief that / would fail in my
duty to those who elected me to
office if failed to oppose such ac-
tion," he said.
Under the present gift of oil
rights by the state to the United
States, the federal government
can indefinitely withhold explo-
ration and development of the
Everglades Park lands for oil or
minerals, and all that Florida can
claim a right to under the pres
ent deed, out of the oil and min
erals hereafter procured from said
lands by the government, will be
the customary royalty therefor at
such time.
I'm addition to oil, it is known
that these park lands contain
much valuable timber of kind
not to be found elsewhere in this
country, and potentially great
quantities of aluminium deposits.
all of which the state has given in
loot, so as to speak, to our ma
tional government.
Nobody knows for certain how
much oil there is in the Ever
glades Park area, or how much
alumina deposits. There are two
oil wells now in production ,locat-
ed some thirty to fifty miles. from
of the park area, each !
of which is producing more than
five hundred barrels per day
through the smallest-type of pipe. |
More than million dollars has
been spent in the Everglades area
for oil leases, oil exploration con-
tracts and oil drilling operations, !
as well as for research work, and /!
these lands are now in demand
by the largest oil producers in the
world at the best rental prices for
oil drilling operations"
The Attorney General also
pointed out that in acquiring
lands for the establishment of ma
tional parks in other states, the |
federal government did not re-
quire those states to relinquish oil |
and mineral rights, therefore, WHY |
should the state of Florida be
called upon to do so
Whether or not you agree with
Tom Watson you have to admit
that he is sincere, and, further
more, that he is courageous when
it comes to fighting for his convic-
tons. In bringing up this issue on
the heels of his announcement as
a candidate for governor, he was
sticking his neck out because of |
the popularity of the park idea
and the public desire for its earlv |
creation.
1t would have been much easier
and more advantageous form a
political standpoint to have gone
along with the crowd and when
asked why he did not do so he re-
Piled IF l as one of those called
upon to pass upon the execution
OF this deed thought it an unwise
and unwarranted gift of vast po-
tentlal state resources, why should |
l not act upon such conviction?
Have been elected to serve as |
Attorney General and as a mem