Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1923-02-16
STATE
CAPITAL
Governor Ritehie Entertalns State
Editors.

sion Of State problems Ave construct
i've ideas with which Maryland voters,
aud possibly the Legislature, next
year viii be concerned. They are:
The question of development Of the
University OF Maryland; and, linked
up with 1t. what is to be done with
such colleges as St. Johns and
Washington.
Development Of some system Of CO.
operative marketing which, without
Affecting the price to the consumer.
will yield fair profit to the farmer.
Increase of from to 315 cents a
gallon In the gasoline tax to elm
mate altogether the existing tax
based on horsepower.
Possibility of fixing an Industrial
zone about Curtis Bay. to let It play
its part in the commercial develop
ment Of Baltimore; this in connec-
tion with the problem Of harbor pol
luton and consequent injury to fish
and oyster life.
Physical merger of the Maryland PEN
itentiary and House Of Correction,
either on the House of Correction
site or elsewhere.
'The college situation in Maryland
presents some of the most important
questions which the State has to de
eide" Governor Ritchie said, lis the
University Of Maryland to develop
into a great State university along the
lines of some OF the great universities
of Western States. or should its gen
eraI university activities. as distin-
guished from its agricultural work, be
more restricted?
what is the future Of the State
aided colleges in Maryland's program
for higher education? Some of them
at least could not survive without
State aid and the State aid now being
given is not enough for their needs.
This question is of vital concern to
st. Johns and Washington colleges.
Others to which the matter is Of less
vital Importance are Western Mary
land and Blue Ridge.
"Should all these colleges continue
along their present lines. duplicating
their work to a large extent, and re-
eeive increased help from the State to
make them more effective; or should
the State cease to aid them and let
some of them die; or should they be
converted into colleges junior to the
University of Maryland and each be
assigned some specific part In the
general Statewide educational pro-
gram?"
Urges Definite Program.
Traditions and sentiment attached
to st. Johns and Washington College,
for example, must be recognized in
considering the possibility of broad
ening the activities of the University
OF Maryland at the expense of such
State-aided colleges, the Governor
said. He pointed out. however, that
some definite program for high educa-
tion must be mapped out before or by
the next Legislature.
"The farming situation in Maryland
must be studied In the light Of the
conditions existing here the Gov
ernor said, turning to the agricultural
question. "The average investment
OF the Maryland farmer is $4,000, as
compared with the Western farm
ers Investment of $4,000 Increased
yields do not justify this difference,
and It means that Maryland farmers
can begin to take their profits much
sooner than those in the midwest,
We have crop rotation and the use of
fertilizer in Maryland, things the 9th
err farmers are just beginning to use.
We have an additional advantage in
our proximity TO big market centers,
"Tbese considerations all point to
one thlng-the development Of sys-
tenn Of cooperative marketing which
will enable the farmer to dispose of
his products at price that will yield
farmer profit commensurate with
the profits in other industries, without
hurting the consumer.
For the State to be Of real help to
the farmer, the latter must organize.
There cannot be working partner
ship between State and farmer unless
the latter develop some unity Of
thought and counsel
II am disposed to think that the
next Legislature should make an in
crease of from two to three and one
half cents gallon in the tax on gaso-
line," he continued, discussing State
roads. "This move would enable the
State to dispense with any tax on II
censes. The tax is perfectly equitable
and fair"
Taking up the work of the State De.
partment of Health. the Governor ad
verted to the question of harbor pollu
tion.
"The most recent question which the
Health Department has been called
upon to consider is the subject of oil
pollution in the Chesapeake Bay, par
ticnlarly in Baltimore harbor." he said
"This is caused principally by the In
dustrial plants bordering on the har
Dor and by coastwise oil tankers which
empty their bilges before reaching
port It is matter Of very serious
concern to tish and oyster life, and tC
health and comfort"
Among other matters Governor
Ritchie outlined what had been accom-
plished by the State reorganization
and fewer elections laws enacted By
the last Legislature. discussed the pub
lie school situation, needs Of different
parts of the State and of State institu
tions with plans for meeting these
needs and touched briefly on otsel
questions of general State interest
Cumberland. Contract holder;
here in the Cooperative League oi
America have received a letter from
the headquarters Of the League ir
Portland. Ind. Indicating that the af
fairs of the concern have become In
volved. 1t is estimated that about
S50O,0OO has been invested by local
people and there is much uneasiness