The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1953-05-20

TALLAHASSEE III "A state
purchasing council which win SUI
peTvise buying of state supplies
appears to be almost round the
corner for Florida.
The Senate gave unanimous en-
dorsement Tuesday to the House
bill which calls for a council to-
decide on specifications, standards
and maximum prices.
The measure goes back to the
House for concurrence in a pair
of minor, non controversial amend
ments. Gov. Mccarty, who asked
the Legislature to pass an act reg
ulating state purchases, is certain
to sign the bill.
When the Legislature finally
passes it and the governor signs
the bin into law a movement for
years to get a purchasing plan
viii have ended.
Sen. Carlton, Wauchula, de-
scribed the plan as having "alI
the virtues Of central purchasing
with none OF its evils The state
once had a central purchasing pro-
gram back in the tWentieS but it
was abolished.
Here's what the bill viii do:
A council, made up of represent
atiVeS from the offices of state
cabinet officials and the larger
state agencies such as the Road
Department, Industrial Commits
sion and Highway Patrol win set
regulations and maximum prices
for purchase Of Supplies.
Al paid executive secretary will
be on the purchasing group which
win distribute purchasing informa-
ton to all agencies. The idea will
be to have the state and its agen-
cies buy wherever possible at
mass buying prices
The agencies and departments
still win do their Individual buy
ing but under the standards laid
down by the council. The state
comptroller viii be directed BY
law to refuse to pay the bills for
any purchases which do not meet
the councils price or standard re-
quirements.
/ A feature Of The bill IS that 1t
viii apply to cities and counties.
They too win be able to buy at
prices arranged BY the State.
The Senate did not deal SO kind.
Ily with another McCarty endorsed
measure. II knocked down 4
House-passed bill 70 create con.
stitutional advisory commission to
/ study the state constitution with
/ the idea Of revising II.
The Senate passed q House bin
/ providing the death penalty for
Ipersons twice convicted Of selling
narcotics to minors. II added 4
proyiso, though, hat trial jury
i may recommend mercy. That
means the bill must be returned
to the House for concurrence.
i Passed BY the Senate was d bin
to raise the tax On each box 81
/ grapefruit from four to six cents.
Purpose is 70 proyide about 500,
!, 600 to be held b. the Florida Cit
rus Commission for advertising
grapefruit which has not sold too
Iwell this season.
The House and Senate passed
| identical bills to lower the mafli.
rity standards for grapefruit
i slightly after Jan. /.
Senator'S also approved i House
bili 10 take the soil conservation
duties from the State Board q
/ Control and give them to i board
4 appointed By the governor. Tho
bill was amended and viii be Re,
| turned to the House for approval,
/ The House Public Roads Com,
mittee win hold 1 public hearine
calling for i turnpike from Miami
to DuvaI County.
TALLAHASSEE lF Reps. shat
fer and McLaren Of Pinellas Coun
j III, who have failed Ii attempts /.
pass bills setting ! statewide tut
ton charge tor out 81 state schoo
children. today offered j nieasur,
which would authd rize such 4 IL.
for their own county.
The charge for tourists childreI
attending PineIias schools woult
Be between SO and rs per cent .
the actual cost 81 educating them
Children of servlcemen would B.
exempt.
The PineIIas lawmakers hav.
long commended visitors Who place
their children III Florida school,
should bear part of the cost d