processing as the region's principal industry. In short, the Eastern
Shore is gradually expanding its industrial potential. Today, manu-
facturing, second to agriculture in economic importance, provides em-
ployment for about one-fifth to one-fourth of all employed persons.
The Bay Bridge linking the two "shores" has speeded up the process,
with its full impact still in the future. The Bridge each year brings
thousands of people to the Shore—tourists as well as motorists just
passing through. These are people who had never seen the region
before and were only vaguely aware of its existence.

Easton and the other cities and towns of the Shore counties are
eager to acquire new industry. The fact that there are metal working
plants in the area is evidence that most types of manufacturing can be
fitted into the Shore economy. Geography and climate are among
our best assets here on the Eastern Shore. The area is a paradise for
fishermen and for those who like to hunt wildfowl or enjoy boating
and fishing. People like to live here and take advantage of the many
unusual recreational advantages. And industry likes to locate where
people enjoy living. These are assets we can and must use to develop
the full economic potentiality of the region.

Our Eastern Shore, so steeped in history and tradition, retains most
of its past historic charm, but it also is participating in some of the
nation's most progressive scientific projects. A case in point is the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration's research station on
Wallops Island. This has focused international attention on the East-
ern Shore. The Eastern Shore, then, is no longer an isolated region,
cut off from the mainland of the State and from the rest of the country.
It is a vigorous, progressive up-and-coming area, doing a thriving and
active business now and able and willing to do more.

If its many resources are properly handled, a prosperous future for
Talbot County and the Eastern Shore is a certainty.

ADDRESS, MARYLAND UTILITIES ASSOCIATION
BALTIMORE

April 1, 1960

I would like to discuss with you this evening some of the measures
your State government has taken to assure a healthy and orderly
development of Maryland in the years ahead of us.

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