overwhelming dominance of one political party. On the contrary the
Legislature must exercise unusual diligence to see that all shades of
opinion are obtained and all points of view explored.

As I begin my task, I find comfort in the fact that Marlyand is
blessed with a devoted group of career public servants. Quietly and
efficiently, they perform their duties. Many of them have served the
State for long periods of time, and their intimate knowledge and
experience will be utilized by my administration to the advantage
of the public. These conscientious and loyal State employees deserve
our appreciation: without their devotion to duty, no State policy
can succeed.

I possess no special gifts of prophecy, but I predict, nevertheless,
that during the next four years we will witness an expansion of in-
dustrial and business activity such as never before has been seen in
this State. Every report indicates that our population will continue
to grow, and at an even faster rate. At the same time, we may expect
the demand for services provided by the State to attain new peaks.
Pressures will pile up for more highways, for more schools, for better
hospitals and better prisons, for an improved welfare program.

I have no misgivings at all about our capacity to meet the demands
as they arise. It is sobering, nonetheless, to realize that within the
last year our State approached a revenue crisis—a crisis in which we
observed the demands for services overtake our ability to pay for
them with established revenues.

In common with many other states, Maryland has reached a stage
of development where great strides forward must be taken if we are
to keep up with the times. It conceive it to be the principal task of
my administration to achieve these new standards and at the same
time to preserve the financial integrity of the State.

I say quite frankly that there may be times when we find it im-
possible to reconcile requests for services with our ability to pay. In
such an instance, clearly our alternative is to forego the service or
to provide the additional revenues. As for my part, I am resolved to
face the difficult choice with forthrightness and determination.

As I see it, this is neither the time nor the place to discuss in detail
the means of approaching our fiscal problems. That I intend to do
later this month in my message to the General Assembly. I will con-
fine myself today, therefore, to what I consider fundamental concepts
—the basic philosophy from which I shall seek guidance during the
next four years.