The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1941-01-10
GOVERNOR o'CoNOR's LEGIsLA-
TIVE Recommendations

TIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
Governor Herbert r. O'Conor told
the Maryland General Assembly, at
its opening at Annapolis, on Wednes-
day night of last week, that the law
making tasks of its 90-day session
would be complicated and burdened
by q changeover from peace-time to
wartime conditions.
Since your last meeting 81 months
ago, catastrophe has fallen upon
the world" the governor told a
joint meeting Of the House and Sem
ate shortly after the 1941 session
formally convened.
Asserting that democratic prin-
ciples are being challenged the
world over, O'Conor said sit is vital
that the component commemorative
Of our great democracy unite in a
supreme effort in defense of our form
of government.
He said the state was in better
financial condition than ever before,
had balanced budget and finished
the fiscal year last September 80
with an unencumbered balance of
$6,151,955.
The Governor continued: "The
financial condition Of the State Is
such that shall recommend pro-
gram Of tax reduction which will
not only leave the treasury in safe
condition but will benefit tens of
thousands of our taxpayers"
The Governor recited the achieve
ments and excellencies Of numerous
State departments, leading off with
the Roads Commission.
He said that during 1899 10 mil
es of newly constructed highway
were added to the State system and
that last year additional projects,
involving 87.6S miles, were placed
under contract. e
He spoke Of the completion of the
Susquehanna, Potomac and other
important bridges.
Regardig the State public school
system, Governor O'Conor said,
with much simplifying detail:
sit is regarded as one Of the best
in the entire country
On the subject Of conserving the
States natural resources, the Cover
nor spoke briefly of the fact that the
administrators plan for separate
commercial fishery commission was
defeated at the polls in November
and then issued plea for consider
ed and unbiased action on the prob
lem during this session.
He reviewed the progress Of the
State Health Department; expansion
of hospitals for tuberculosis and
mentally aflicted and indicated that
appropriations for such purposes
would be increased rather than held
down in his forthcoming budget.
Maryland has been fortunate, the
Governor said in connection with the
State welfare program, in that ex-
penditures are being handled, cap
ably and properly" to the end that,
as. compared with. other States, the
cost here is relatively light.
He indicated that his recommen-
dations on welfare appropriations
must await the fiscal proposals that
will accompany his budget.
The trial magistrate system that
was created by the legislators at the
1889 session. the Governor told
them, has worked so well that it can
be said in no two-year period here
tofore have such rapid advances been
made In the administration OF JUS
tice in Maryland.
DR.. H. C. Byrd, president of the
University Of Maryland, was paid ex-
ceptional tribute by the Governor in
his reference to that institution.
Additions to the Police force that
he will recommend-and provide for
in the budget-the Governor said,
will make. possible special training
Of the State policemen and increase
their usefulness as well as make
more Of them available for patroling
the highways.
It was indicated, In his remarks
on the unemployment compensation
division, that the Governor plans to
ask the Legislature to make changes
in the law that viii simplify its adj
ministration and relieve employers
of some Of the mass of detail now
necessary In the keeping Of records.
Paving the way for the approx
mateiy 20 measures that the Legisla-
tive Council will lay before the As
eembiy as whole with its recon-
incubation for adoption. the Cover
nor reminded the general member
ship OF the Legislature that the coun-1
Gil had not usurped any Of the rights
OF the Legislators as body.
The Governor said he desired to
clay emphasis'' on the fact that the
bills the. council VIII present are open
% The same discussion ~ any other
measure that may come before the
Assembly.