Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1944-01-06
State Enters IA
I'm Best Condition
Ever, O'Conor Says
Governor Sees Postwar
Plans AS Most Vital Prob
lem Facing Maryland

has forecast a year of successful
operation for the State, based on
the healthy financial and admins
trative position now existing. Gas
we close the books for 1943 in the
State Government the Governor
declared, "two outstanding consid-
erations are emphasized in great
degree-(D. The State has COM
pleted a most successful 12-month
period, and ~ greater challenge
for redoubled effort in 1914 is
upon US.
Looking ahead to the coming
year-the all-important require
ment at this time-the State Ad-
ministration will utilize the ex-
perience of the past for even inn
proved service in the future year.
There is every expectation that
the coming year will be a bright
and satisfactory one in the admin
istration of the public business of
the State.
eve enter 1914 in the best finan-
cial condition in which the State
has ever found itself. A healthy
Treasury statement can be given
the citizens of Maryland, as our
stock holders. Even after reduc-
ing taxes sharply and after ear
marking more than $8,000,000 for
postwar and emergency funds,
and other necessary purposes, a
sizeable State surplus still exists.
"The State Government will
continue to function in 1914 on a
balanced budget, as it has for the
past five years. We are not oper-
ating on borrowed money, but, on
the contrary, are paying off more
and more of the States bonded
Indebtedness. AS we enter the
New Year, the States credit is at
the highest in our history, while
real estate taxes are at the lowest
point in 80 years and income taxes
reduced 500.
Perhaps the most salutary fea-
ture of State planning is the pro-
gram on Postwar Reconstruction
and Development. Millions of dol
lars in necessary building con-
struction and road improvements
will proceed through the planning
stage, so that these projects can
be ready for contamination as
soon as the war emergency
allows. Renewed efforts for en-
ployment of returning service men
will be exerted in the New Year.
Our Unemployment Compensation
Fund, now aggregating $90,000,-
900, will constitute a real shock
absorber if industry tapers off in
abrupt manner.
"In State so highly indus
trialized as Maryland has become
since the outbreak of the war, the
change-over that is bound to come
with the lessening and finally the
cessation of the wars industrial
effort could we'll bring economic
chaos unless well-considered pro-
grams are formulated to cushion
the shocks.
"To a great extent this has
been done in Maryland, and the
programs, well under way, are
being expanded without letup.
Under the Maryland Commission
on Post War Reconstruction and
Development, which / appointed,
further strides will be made to-
wards adjusting our economy to
the needs of the conversion and
peacetime era.
ALREADY architectural plans are
being drawn for approximately |
$5,000,000 worth of public build
ing construction, with an equal
amount ready for consideration,
and plans initiated looking towards
vastly greater construction by
counties and municipalities
throughout the State.
Likewise, in connection with
the modernization of our State
highway sytem, plans for $50, OO0,-
900 worth of road and bridge con-
struction are now to the stage
where blueprints can be completed
with reasonable speed. In all this
planning, it has been recognized
that while the burden of employ
ment for all our people rests
squarely upon private industry, as
is the American way, nevertheless,
government at State and other
levels must accept, and be pre-
pared to discharge, the response
bilities of being ready to provide
employment when and as neces-
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