in our educational system at all levels—from elementary school to
university. For the Department of Education, I have recommended
an increase in general funds of $17, 427, 491, which is offset by a net
decrease in special and Federal funds of $9, 537, 835, resulting in a
net total increase of $7, 889, 656. You may note that of the general
fund increase, $16, 918, 904, or 97. 08 per cent, is in items mandatory
under public school laws enacted by this General Assembly. For its
operation, the University of Maryland has been granted an increase
of $2, 429, 578 in general, special and Federal funds. Comparable
increases are recommended for Morgan State College and the five
teachers colleges.

We have discussed up to now money for the operation of depart-
ments and agencies. The full measure of our financial undertaking
can be grasped, however, only if we view these operational budgets
together with our program of improvements financed by loan funds.
Planning is desirable in all areas of government, but in my opinion,
it is indispensable in the field of capital improvements. Having been
Governor for such a short time, it would be presumptuous on my part
to intrude at this time in a program of public improvements which
has been planned over a period of years. And so, for the capital
budget I have adopted the program recommended by our State
Planning Commission for a capital outlay of $13, 922, 300.

Highlights in this program are $1, 000, 000 for the initial acquisition
of land for the establishment of the Gunpowder River Valley Park
system, $2, 179, 300 for continuing improvements of our mental insti-
tutions, $1, 201, 300 to provide the institutional needs of delinquent
children in the State and $2, 215, 000 to begin a long-range program
of improvements in our correctional system. The Gunpowder River
park project is vitally needed to conserve open spaces in a rapidly
growing metropolitan region.

Overcrowding in our mental hospitals is a matter of grave concern
to all of us, and I offer wholehearted endorsement of this building
program. The money we plan to spend will provide a 100-bed Active
Treatment Building for males at Spring Grove, which is a stage in
the abandonment of Old Centre Building; the renovation of "C"
Building at Crownsville, making it available for general patient
housing; equipment for the Geriatrics Building at Eastern Shore
Hospital and for a building for emotionally disturbed children at
Rosewood; projects to improve services and provide better fire pro-
tection at Springfield and Rosewood, and a number of other facilities.
It is noteworthy that these projects, when completed, will provide
more than 450 additional beds in the mental hospitals.

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