March 1, 1960

Dear Steve:

Here's the rundown on Carlton's turnpike record at I953, but
tell Bud he must use it during the second week in March. We have
reliable information that Carlton is going to hit McCarty with McCarty's
detest as Tax Collector in use along about March 15. and it is impera-
tive that Bud level this dope at Carlton before that time. So, it McCarty
should beat us to the punch on this thing, he'll weaken Carlton's attack
on him and we don't want that either.

The man who gets the headlines for this charge against Carlton
is going to pick up tremendous favorable response in Dade and other
East Coast counties, and it's got to be Bud. McCarty is in fair shape
down there already, and if he should use this first he may be a cinch
to run off with that area where he is hurt now due to Lowery.

McDermott knows about this record himself (confidentially). but
will never use it until someone in the race makes the charge, but he has
been ORDERED to use it when. and. if the charge is so made. He also
knows about McCarty's defeat as Tax Collector and is primed (or a big
story on that one when Carlton pulls the string on March l5. Don't let
Bud second guess us on this thing. We've thought it out all the way, and
we Itnow what we're talking about.

Here's exactly what we want you to do. First, send out an advance
story to AP in Tallahassee and Miami, and to U.P.l. in same two cities.
Get it out on Wednesday, March 9. but marl: it for release on Saturday.
March 12. 6:00 p. m.. so it will hit all Sunday papers. Start your release
on this order: "On Saturday, March l2, 1 will be speaking at (such and
such an event at 4:00 p. m. or about that time) and 1 will make this charge
against Doyle Carlton." Then follow with our story. Be sure Bud under-
stands thnt he must use it at the time indicated. if necessary, it can he
"at a meeting of my campaign organization" in whatever county he will he
in.

Then mail same story to all weeklies by Saturday, March ll. for
their print the following week. but re-write. of course, to make past tense
and so on. DON'T give McDermott advance notice. He's Carlton's personal
press agent, and you'll have Carlton all set with the McCarty election deieat

Page 2 March I. I960

thing too eoon. or eome other eet up.

Note. here'e the euueeted copy, and We all checked out for
accuracy:

"Saturday aiternoon at a Senator

 

Bud Dickie-on unloaded both harrele at hie opponent. Doyle Carlton, for
what he called "Proof poeitive that Carlton in anything but a South

Florida candidate, but ie the favorite eon o! the pork choppere all the way."
Dickineon then blaeted Carlton for hie stand on the South Florida Turnpike
in the I953 eeeeion.

"While l dielllte melting pointed chargee at one man," Dickineon
8tated."the people of our area and all other eectione of Florida have the
right to know where every candidate etende on ieeuee oi vital importance
to them. l have been waiting {or Doyle Carlton to make an honeet revelation
oi hie anti-turnpike record an a Senator in l953, but i gueee that wee wiehiul
thinking. Since the Miami Herald eeemingly has no inclination to bring the
iecte to the people. it ie now my reeponeihility to do eo. The [act in that ii
Carlton had had hie way there would be no turnpike today. nor any other
time.

"l-lere'e the record. Dichineon continued. "in I953 Carlton wee one
of the moat powerful voieee in the State Senate. and he wan the Senate
leader in attempting to kill the South Florida Turnpike.

"S enator Bonn Gautier oi Dade County introduced Senate Bill C38

calling (or a turnpike to run from Miami to about Stuart. Florida. On

Page 3 March 1. 1960

aecond reading Senator Amoa Lewia propoaed an amendment extending
the turnpike the toll length from Miami to Jacksonville. Carlton voted
AGAINST thin amendment and led the way to in deieat.

"Then". the iiery Senator irom Palm Beach County related. "that
name dey Senator Shanda moved that the Senate re-conaider the action on
the Lewia amendment --in other worda, that the turnpike be extended to
Jacltaonville. Thia time, than: oi on who were working our heada oil to
get the hill through were able to get the amendment panned, but Carlton
voted "0 again.

"That meant that we could again vote (or the lull length turnpike.
and we were able to overcome Carlton'a oppoaition by a aingle vote, :0 to
18, with Carlton again Voting AOAlNS'I the bill.

Abickinaon then reierred to later action whereby the hill waa cut
back to Gautier'a original propoaal oi 110 miles in the Route of Repreaenta-
tivea. Subaequeutly. the hill came back to the Senate in the no mile iorm
deaired by Gautier. "Ve accepted that compromiae". Dickinaon admitted.
"but only becauae we knew there wouldn't be any turnpike at all it we (ought
the Carlton iorcea further. Thin time the hill waa penned by voice vote
which given no no record a! Carlton'a vote. iortunately for him, but l can tell
you that he did everything he could to owing the Senate againat even the

ahorter length.

Dicltinaon concluded with the charge that "Carlton in aa ardentan

enemy oi South Florida lntereata aa any pork chop could be, but he'a got

Page 4 Hard: 1. I960

a crowd down in Dade County who have successiuliy covered up ior him to
date. i suggest that they take a good look at their conscience and come over
to a team which is trying hard to elect a man with a proven record oi South
Florida aervice. That man is Bud Dickinson who livea, works and represents
all oi South Florida in South Florida, and whose record proves his loyalty."
Then. iootnote your story with the iollowing authorities:
"REF: Senate Journal "53. Pages l6I.Z69. 303. 368, 460. C61, 463.
463. £64. £65. 527. 528. 938, it. i307.
Don't let Bud slip up on this. We've gone to a lot oi trouble to set
it up just right. but it someone heats him to it he'll get all the benet of
our preparation. We'll score big in Miami, and our guy in the Herald tells
us that he thinks the paper will actually re-consider what seems to be
their present idea oi endorsing Carlton. ii McCarty should beat us to this
thing. he might be a cinch, and even ii Bryant hits with it iirat, it might
conceivably do it (or him.

Call me on my home phone aiter you have set this up with Bud.
it's as per his own idea, you will note.

Good luck,

3 udol ph