The Republican., 1938-07-07

between the pay of negro and white
school teachers throughout the state
Last December, in a public statement,
took definite stand for the elimina-
tion of this inequitable legislation. l
have demanded, and now reiterate my
demand, that the incoming legislature
amend this law.
Under this administration, the
banking laws of the state have been
improved by far-reaching amend
ments, and under the authority of
these laws, the banking system of the
state of Maryland is now being ad-
ministered with efficiency.
The Public Service Commission of
the state has quietly and without fan
fare proceeded in the adjustment of
public utility rates for the benefit Of
our citizens. 1t has, by conference,
accomplished a reduction in the cost
Of public service to the people of the
state totaling $2,771, ,9O7 annually,
and, mark this, these negotiations
have been effected without one dollar
Of cost for court action.
The State Tax Commission has met
its problem of enforcing the assess
ment laws with unusual vigor and the
indications are that, as a net result,
this policy will have a beneficial effect
upon the state tax rate
Expenses Reduced
Under the former administration,
in the year 1882, the expense of the
State Purchasing Department was $29
in clerical expense for every $1,000
worth of articles it bought. Under this
administration, in the year 1887, that
expense was reduced to less than half,
OF $14 per $1,000.
The State Engineering Department,
instituted under this administration,
has functioned to great advantage.
Restricted in it's sphere of action as
it was by the Legislature, many times
the cost of this department has been
saved in consultation fees.
Many other departments have made
4 record of achievement of which this
administration is proud, and it is
from such constructive work that |
take the utmost satisfaction. Excel
lent legislation advocated by and
passed at the request of this admins
tration, bearing on soil conservation,
low cost housing, interstate co-opera
tion, labor relations, fair commercial
trading and the revision of election
machinery in Baltimore City, have
added to the record of progress during
my term of office.
| have always been convinced that,
by reason of intelligence, business
acumen, being taxpayers, and posses
sing equality of suffrage, and with
their increasing interest in govern
ment, our women should have their
place in public affairs. 1t was with
this thought in mind that | appointed
some ninety women to positions of
Importance on boards and commits
sions of our state, over half of which
carry substantial emoluments. | take
great pride in every one of my women
appointees.
Paramount Achievement
I conclude this record of achieve
ment with matter which, perhaps, is
of paramount importance. One of
the most distressing by-products Of
present economic distress has been a
long line of labor controversies which,
in many states of our land, have
fared to the point of dread menace to
public safety. Yet, during my ad-
ministration, Maryland has had an al
most unparalleled record of amiciable
settlement of industrial conflict. There
have arisen several serious situations
in this state which might have re-
suited in the same distressing chaos,
or even loss of life, which have oc-
Cured elsewhere. Yet, because in
these crises we were able to achieve
the confidence of labor and employers
alike, serious trouble has been averted
and amicable settlements have been
secured in all cases. On at least one
occasion my personal intervention and
presence at the scene of conflict helped
mediate a situation as serious as any
which caused chaos or martial law in
other states. Is it not perhaps the
greatest tribute that could be paid
our administration that the confidence
in us by employers and labor alike
should have enabled Maryland to face,
without that disaster which befell
other localities, the serious problems
of industrial disturbances so prevalent
in these times.
IL