Evening star., 1939-01-11
0'Conor Inaugurated,
Predicts Additional
Maryland Taxes
Pledges Strict Economy
And Balanced Budget
In Annapolis Address
BY JACK ALLEN,
Star Stan CORRESPONDENT.

ANNAPOLIS, Jan. ll.-ACCldlneQ
by cheering thousands as Mary
lands 60th Governor in the most
impressive celebration this staid
colonial capital ever has witnessed,
43-year-old Herbert O'Conor today
issued forecast of new taxes, strict
governmental economy and result
ant balanced budget.
Asserting his support at the polls
In November represented a justif1-
cation from the voters, the incoming
Democratic executive, in his inaug-
ural address. laid State fiscal prob
lens before the people with blunt
warning:
I'VE shall have to raise additional
revenue by taxation. There is
no easy remedy, no palliative that is
safe . We must balance our bud
get and maintain our credit Fail
ure to do so can lead only to disas-
ter"
Long before the official inaugural
ceremonies began, the joyous
throngs virtually took possession of
the municipality, thronged the flag
bedecked streets and hailed the new
Executive as he assumed his du-
ties. Some 10,O0O-nearly the equal
of Annapolis normal population
participated in the colorful parade
that was the days climactic feature
and then stayed on to join in less
official festivities
Comnai~n yiews RecallAd
Gov. O'Conor recalled that, months
ago during the campaign. Il de-
clared that there was no way out of
the situation except through addi-
tional taxation"
1.-The returns Of the election can be
accepted as an approval of this
policy" he asserted, "and as an in
dication that the people understand
the situation and are willing to as
sumo the necessary burdens to the
end that their States financial
house may be put in order
While warning that new levies
must be imposed, Mr.. O'Conor
softened the blow with promise
the readjustment of tax structures
would tend to encourage and
stabilize" business rather than dis
rupt it. Further, he added:
Before we impose further upon
the taxpayers, 1t is imperative that
we exhaust every legitimate effort
to avoid waste and extravaganza In
the State government. I am firmly
convinced that substantial reduction
in existing governmental costs can
be made without impairing essential
functions"
The new Governor pledged himself
to "avoid the injection of political
considerations in the conduct of
State affairs" to follow an enlight-
ened and well-considered conserva-
ton and highway program, careful
and closely guarded expenditures
for relief and a revitalized attack on
social welfare problems.
No Personal Organization.
mo one need fear" he explained,
IAN attempt by me to build a per-
sonal organization or a political
machine. am now free and shall
remain free to avail myself Of the
full potentialities of the whole party
for the betterment of our State"
Mr.. O'Conor pointed to what he
said were -four primary social
needs" which must be driven Zine
abreast" under the rein of economy
and the spur of efficiency" These
he listed as law and order, public
health, roads and other means of
transportation, and education.
He said law and order must be
placed first as a necessity to the
other three. AS a detail to the law
and order category he called for
intelligent administration of a we'll
organized and adequately stated
parole system" and greater efforts
toward study Of prison inmates as
. means Of crime reduction.
His comparatively brief address