Evening star., 1947-01-02
.0'Conor Urges
Of Full
Sherbow Report
Luuds Tax Proposals
In Address Opening
Assembly Session
Q BY the Associated Press

ASSeIHDIy SeSSiOn
BY The Assoeiatsd Press
ANNAPOLIS, Md, Jan. Gov.
|O'Conor, In an address at the OPEN
ing session OF the General Assem-
bly, last night, urged "unqualifiedly"
adoption Of the entire report of the
Commission on the Distribution Of
Tax Revenues.
The Governors recommendation
the only action he urged on the As
sembly-was contained In review
Of State government activities dur
ing his two terms Of office.
He declared:
"The recommendations of the
commission" headed by Judge
Joseph Sherbow "are far reaching
and most constructive. The COM
mission made suggestions for i'm
provement Of the fiscal affairs of
the State and local levels.
ut has proposed an annual in
stead of biennial budget for Mary
land, to be enacted no more than
three months before the fiscal year
begins. This will require annual
sessions Of the Legislature.
"a uniform system of accounting
for the % counties and the in
corporated towns is also recon-
mended. A fiscal research bureau
to make q continuous study of
State local fiscal relations is to be
created"
Outstanding Achievement"
He enumerated a set Of tax divi-
sion reforms recommended by the
commission and added, "I feel the
work of this commission constitutes
an outstanding achievement"
In his message, he recalled eight
years of governmental changes en-
bracing such diverse fields as re-
modelling Of the judiciary system and
setting up a legislative council, a
bipartisan body which studies bills
for introduction into the General
Assembly.
In finance the Governor noted as
significant the fact that the State
real estate taxes had been reduced
to 10 cents for 500 assessment, 'the
lowest in 100 years." Diversion Of
State roads funds was stopped COM
pleteIy. A number of nuisance taxes
were eliminated. Income taxes were
reduced whenever the surplus funds
on hand made possible such de-
crease" he added.
There Is an estimated general
funds surplus at the end of the
current year Of between $11 1,000, 900
and $4,000, ,0O0," he said.
He discussed at length establish
ment of a State medical care system
for those unable to pay.
As for State highways, the Gov
ernor said the Roads Commission
"foresees an estimated overall con-
struction fund Of $50, ,426. ABS" in a
two-year period beginning July J.,
1947. @aL
Utilities Rates Reduced. .
State utilities rates have been
reduced during the last four years
by $4,000 900, the Governor reported,
adding that it had been possible to
avoid any increases in rates Of the
larger utilities despite ''the rising
costs Of operation and increased
Federal taxes"
In his conclusion, Mr.. O'Conor
said:
I'm preparing to lay aside the
duties of governorship, after eight
years of service, I wish to voice the
sincere gratitude I feel to the people
Of Maryland for having honored me
with such high Office. Likewise, to
the members of the General Assem-
bly,, I extend deepest appreciation
for the splendid cooperation afford
ed in all efforts to maintain high
standards in the functioning of the
States government. ="
"Our courts, our schools, our in
stitutions, the handling of health
and social measures, and many other
aspects of state affairs could be
mentioned as having been improved
greatly by reason of legislation or
more effective administrative pro-
cedureS.
"The only worthwhile compensa-
ton which a public official takes
with him at the end of his tour of
duty, is the realization that his
efforts have helped in the improve
ment of the public service. It was
with this guiding consideration that
I entered upon my duties as
Governor. I am now ending my
term with the knowledge and salts
faction that have adhered to that
guide to the best of my ability"