The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1944-06-09
STATE READY TO SHARE COST
OF PLANNING

OF PLANNING
To encourage county and munich
pal governments to bring their post
war planning to the stage where con-
struction could begin whenever con-
ditions may require, Governor Her.
bert R. O'Conor on May "a told the
Annual Meeting of the Maryland Bis
trict of Columbia Federation of La
Dor, at Cumberland, Md, that the
State was prepared to offer a portion
of it's planning money to the local
governments on a matching basis.
"This would mean" the Governor
declared, that the county and city
governments of Maryland could be
assisted by the State in their plan
ming so that there would be, in the
aggregate, the largest possible pool
of public works projects, ready to be
brought into play at any time.
Such an arrangement would in
sure the widest distribution of work
throughout the State because every
county and all the metropolitan
areas would have hand in planning
work 1t would, of course, be neces-
sary to have certain conditions apply,
such as time limits, before the local
governments would complete their
studies of the various projects. Then
too, there should be coordination of
this Statewide effort which would
be accomplished by having the Mary
land Commission on Post War Re-
construction and Development pass
on the suggested list of projects. The
Maryland Commission is established
by law and is fully empowered to
give this extra assistance to the var
ious local governments.
Many advantages would result
from the development of joint pro-
grams between State and local gov
ernments in planning. Under such a
system the two governments could
share in financing and could partici-
pate in administration. Counties and
cities would thereby be assisted in
the planning of local public works
programs.
1--WE must recognize the fact that"
Governor O'Conor pointed out, ''un-
less full employment for all desiring
work is provided, dangers will be en-
countered. Drains on Unemployment
Compensation reserve funds will re-
suit and general public assistance
would be the final resort.
''At the same time, it must be rec
ognized that complete success toward
this end will not be achieved unless
there is the closest working arrange
'ment among labor, industry, agricul-
ture and government.
1--WE do not wish to depart from
the age-old principle of America that
private industry and private initia-
tive are the principal sources of en-
ployment. America became great as
the result of it's system of free enter
prise. Organized labor working to
fulfill the programs of industry
made these enviable results possible
But government also has it's OBJ
legations and responsibilities. In the
first place, it should develop any pub
lie facilities and services as may be
required in order to protect and i'm
prove our American standard of
living. Secondly, government should
supplement the job creating efforts
of private enterprise through public
works wherever it is necessary and,
thirdly, government should support
and implement the efforts of private
industry to furnish employment for
all who are ready and willing to
work"
AS second assurance against ira
gedy in the event of widespread I'M
employment, the Governor declared
that the Maryland Unemployment
Compensation Fund now approx
mates $1OO,OOO,0 200. "Unless the war
ends very promptly" he continued,
that Fund will mount appreciably
and in another year and half or
two years could well reach total
of $3.50, 100000 or more. AS is gen.
orally recognized, Maryland's Unem-
ployment Compensation law, if not
actually the most liberal of all the
48 states, certainly ranks among the
first two or three for liberality."
-O-