The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1953-06-05
Legislature Is Thrown Into
Last-Minute Turmoil Today
Noon Adjournment
Is Called Off
To Hear State
Beverage Head

Legislature, with most of its work
done and the decks cleared for
adjournment, was thrown into last
minute turmoil today by the state
beverage directors charge that a
clique of six men controlled the
Senate.
1t called off its scheduled noon
adjournment and the Senate issued
a subpoena calling Beverage Di-
rector Sam F. Davis before it to
back up his claim and to inquire
into his reported statement that
there was corruption" and rack.
eteering' in the Legislature.
An hour before scheduled. ad-
journment time, no one could say
when the Legislature would quit
and go home. Its constitutional so
days run out at midnight, but the
clock has been stopped in some
past sessions to postpone the dead
line.
Davis, under pressure to resign
from some Of his own friends in
an effort to patch up serious rift
between the executive and legiSla-
tive branches of government, was
In Tampa.
He said he was telegraphing a
complete statement on his speech
clarifying the emphasis of news
paper reports about il, to Gov. Nc
Carly.
An announcement that he had
resigned received applause in the
House when it was made by Rep.
Dowda, Putnam County, a target
of the beverage directors criti-
cism--but Davis promptly denied
he had quit, aud Dowda a few
minutes later said he had given
the House wrong Information.
Davis particularly raised the
wrath of the Senate with his state
ment that Sen. Clarke, Monticello,
headed the "clique" of six men
who had a dangerous control over
the "entire action of the Legisla-
ture in making laws"
But instead of the expected rash
of personal privilege speeches
which usually greet such criticism,
the senator's held their fire until
they could get Davis before them
as committee of the whole Sem
ate.
The outbreak ruined at the last
minute the spirit of harmony which
had prevailed during most Of the
60-day legislative session which
was ready to adjourn after giving
state agencies and services the
biggest expense account In history
and still leaving Little nest egg
for the future.
The Legislature had handled its
more controversial work early In
the session and coasted the last
week.
It didn't investigate as much as
most Florida Legislatures.
A House committee looked into
the Capitol renovation Job and
criticized the Florida Improvement
Commission for favoritisim to con-
tractors which II said ran up the
price. Three top men on the COM
mission resigned and the LegiSla.
ture moved TO curb the agency's
broad powers.
The committee wanted 70 dig
deeper. with subpoena powers, aft
er the session but the Senate would
not agree 10 IL. Nor would the
senators set up an even broader
investigation sought By Senate
President Charley E. Johns, who
wanted q committee to look into
crime and official corruption al
nearly all levels Of government.
Meeting in April with - million
dollars cash In the treasury and
much of its advance work on
spending authorizations already
done. the Legislature went about
its JOB Of making new laws with
an unusual lack Of pressure.
II deliberated slowly. calmly. %
most matters and refused to be
stampeded. The public and the ex.
ecatiye hraneh Of government both
seemed disposed to let il be that
way most Ct the time.
The states sehoa teachers were
intent o. , pay raise AZ $3.50 ard
started quite = campaign to put Il
over. But when Senate ard House
agreed % $3.50 ard Gov. McCarty
said be wual6 approve '.nos ere
pezny more. the pressure came
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