of Governor Herbert R. O'Conor 271

be productive of the best considered legislative enactments that could possibly
be desired.

Several practical and most -beneficial results will follow from the opera-
tion of the Council. Foolish suggestions and ill-advised legislation can be
quickly discarded henceforth because the research by the Council and its staff
will show up the proposals as unworthy of serious attention. As a result the
General Assembly will be able to get down to serious business without the
usual delay, and should be able to complete its deliberations and adjourn
before the last day set by the Constitution for the termination of its work.
If this is done, as I feel certain can be done, the Legislative Council will save
the State more money than has been expended for its own support.

We are approaching a legislative session which will probably be the
most important in the history of our State. The perilous times during which
we are passing demand that we lay aside partisanship and base our action
upon what is best for our State and for our Nation. Matters concerning de-
fense will press for attention and we should not determine these vitally im-
portant issues upon political or such considerations. Fortunately, our State
machinery does not need radical overhauling. Most important, our strong
financial position will enable us to do the necessary things without burdening
the taxpayers with increased taxation. In fact, the favorable fiscal situation
of Maryland will undoubtedly enable us to reduce taxes.

I close with the urgent request that the citizens of Maryland maintain
an interest in the functioning of their government and keep informed upon
the nature and details of the public's business which is being transacted. It is
your business and you are entitled to know the way in which it is being handled.
We want you to learn the underlying reasons for our action and invite your
constructive criticism and suggestions because our sole purpose is to strive
for the advancement of Maryland.

FARM BUREAU CONVENTION

Lord Baltimore Hotel, December 10, 1940
Baltimore

TODAY the people of Maryland welcome cordially the delegates to the
Twenty-Second Annual Convention of the American Farm Bureau Federa-
tion. As their official representative, and as a citizen who long has been con-
versant with the great contributions that have been made, locally and nationally,
by the farm groups of our State and Nation, I feel it a privilege, indeed, to
appear before you and to extend the greetings of our people to you.

While it is the first time our State has had the pleasure of being host
to your organization, it is not I am sure, the first time that many of you have
visited with us, and certainly I am most hopeful that there will be many future
occasions upon which you will come to see us, both individually and as an
organization. Comparisons are ofttimes unfortunate, but there is not the
slightest hesitancy in my mind in saying that this is one of the outstanding
national groups which we in Maryland have ever been privileged to welcome
to our midst. Coming from every section, State and Territory of our Nation,