The Republican., 1938-07-07

GOVERNOR H
highways. The completion of the ma
jor undertakings of this administra-
tion and the comprehensive forthcom-
ing report of the highway planning
survey will be contribution to Mary
lands roads that will mark a turning
point in her highway development.
Penal Problem Met
The prison labor problem is rapidly
on the way to solution. The operation
Of the federal act, preventing the ship
ment of prison-made goods in inter
state commerce, has brought about a
condition of enforced idleness in oUr
penal institutions which not only was
of deep concern to those in authority,
but continued and serious threat to
The orderly processes of proper penal
enforcement. There was a constant
threat of riot and of bloodshed within
these institutions. Occurrences of this
character in the past were public
scandal. By means of enabling legisla-
ton and a vigorously pursued pro-
gram of organization, industrial ac-
civities in the penal institutions have
been inaugurated and systematized, So
that today hundreds Of these idle In
mates are occupied in productive and
absorbing occupations.
In this connection, the administra-
tt:on of parols and pardon has been
given the most serious attention. 1t is
clear that to be effective, the fight
against crime needs more than stone
walls and steel bars. A constructive
penal program requires trained mer
to administer it. Common sense and a
broad gauge of appreciation of the
problem in its entirety also must
shape the policy.
Fewer Paroles
During the last three years of the
preceding administration, 983 were
paroled. During the first three years
of my administration there were 666
paroled. During the same period Of the
former administration, thirteen life
prisoners were released from the pen
itentiary, while during the first three
years of my administration, but three
life prisoners were released. My pred
ecessor. during the last three years Of
his administration, pardoned sixty
seven, while during the first three
years of my administration [ have
pardoned but forty-three. l wish the
people of Maryland to realize that,
while deeply impressed with the ne
cessity of constructive penal admins
tration and with all the correctional
features that contribute to the lessen
ing of crime, | have endeavored to
handle the penal and parole systems
of this state with practical common
sense and conservative sound judg-
ment.
| The State Police
During this administration the De-
partment of State Police has been
separated from the Motor Vehicle
Commissioner office, and organized
as a separate law enforcement agen-
cy. The department has its own en-
ployes' pension system and carries its
own disability insurance, thus effect
ing large savings in its operation The
network of state police radio commu-
nication built up within the last three
years is a potent factor in the appre-
hension of fugitives from justice. Due
to the efficient management and to the
increase in its physical equipment, this
department, despite the fact that it is
woefully undermined, has become d
splendid and valued agency in the en-
forcement of highway regulations an
of law and order generally in rural
communities.
State Hospitals
Under this administration, the state
hospitals for the insane and tubercu-
lar have been brought to a high de-
gree of efficiency and service, after I