The Key West citizen., 1952-11-25
Smathers Enthusiastic About
Western Florida After Visit
WASHINGTON: (Dictated from

somewhere in Florida) - am
writing my newsletter this week
from various places in west Flori-
da where am having the pleasure
of visiting extensively for the first
time in nearly two years.
The reception 1 have been given
in this wonderful part of our great
State has been magnificent. have
been encouraged and inspired by
talking with the people of Florida
as at no other time since l started
thinking about running for public
office. Everyone has given me a
most cordial welcome, and ! have
been Showered with the sort Of
hospitality for which the South is
noted.
Everywhere I have gone, people
have expressed a general approval
of the position / have taken on
major issues before the Congress.
Here in this area, people have
spoken to me, too approvingly Of
large appropriations for projects to
develop our natural resources, such
as the giant Jim Woodruff dam.
People also talk about the record
peacetime military appropriations
which Senator Holland and / and
the Florida House members have
been able to bring to the State. 1t
is gratifying to find that so many
people do understand the work that
we in the Congressional delegation
have been trying to do for the ad.
vancement of the State.
NOTES FROM HERE AND
THERE - Many of our friends who
have expressed a personal interest
in the marriage plans of my secre-
tary, Juanita Thomas, will be in
terested to learn she is going to
stay right on the job. Cupid put q
note on the office bulletin board
the other day; he was defeated and
the wedding bells won't ring out
Scotty Peek, of my Senate
staff, and l started this recent
Florida tour at Jacksonville where
/ was guest of 1t. Col. Charles
CUM and helped cut the cake on
the Marine Corps birthday Al
Tallahassee, where l spoke on
Armistice Day, had the pleasure
of visiting that great Capital city
newspaper, The Democrat" and
talking with Jack TaperS, Steve
Yates, John Kilgore, and other
members Of the staff l also
appeared in a radio forum lover
WTAL) with Malcolm Johnson
head of the AP staff; ! enjoyed
discussing various matters with
DR.. Malcolm Parsons and Bot
Delaney, the stations chief com,
mentator Had a wonderful
time in Quincy and especially en-
joyed my visit with Editor H. c,
McFarlln Of the Times" and the
opportunity TO thank him for gen.
erouS space he gives my news.
letter At Chipley we arrived
in time to enjoy a short visit with
l.. E. Sellers. Editor of the Wash.
lngton County News" Thurs.
day. November Is, turned out to be
lucky for me because | was able
TO visit briefly with Editor John
CauSey Of the Breeze" and Editor
Howard Storrs. Of the Herald" at
DeFunIak Springs. when stopped
for lunch arranged by Mel Jen'
nGngS e.. During a morning visit
at Bombay / had a wonderful time
with my good friend L. A. Vii
hams and many others to whom
he had spread the word Al
Milton, Clayton MapoleS iolned u
for q short stop and then drove
over 70 Jay with Us where I made
a talk TO big Lions Club meeting
vas glad 10 see Or. TubervillG
~Eo brought q group over frogz
Century and / receiS co = big
welconsc from r. ger jonas snd hi,
so odd Tocna$ E9 ~ > who
R~Fs f-asHs.e -.Hg a. s~R1. - -