been created by the swift urbanization of our State. It is your num-
ber one problem, and its solution will require the mustering of all
your resources, energy and intelligence. It will require the co-oper-
ation of all government agencies—of the counties and cities with one
another and of the State with all of its political subdivisions....

The difficulty Baltimore has with its slums should be a matter of
concern to every Maryland citizen, regardless of his residence. And
the magnificent program Baltimore has offered to overcome this dif-
ficulty—the elaborate and visionary Charles Center and a multitude
of urban renewal and public housing projects—should be a source
of pride to every Marylander. I am pleased to observe that our
State government has worked closely with the City of Baltimore in
its rehabilitation efforts.

Our new State Office Building Center, with handsome modern
buildings surrounded by attractive landscaping, stands on a site that
only a few years ago was a jumbled mass of crumbling buildings—
among the worst of Baltimore's slums and only a short distance from
the heart of the city. The Office Building Center which the State
built is the hub of the Mount Royal Plaza area, an urban renewal
project that will wipe out a whole area of slums.

The University of Maryland must expand its operations in Balti-
more, and in doing so it, too is giving the city of Baltimore a. hand
in its effort to rejuvenate its run-down central business district....

We cannot tolerate slums in Maryland, whether they be of the
urban or the suburban variety. We must build vigorous, healthy,
attractive cities and towns and keep them as such. I hope that in
my tenure of office as Governor I shall be able to work with you
toward that objective....

But before I sit down, I have an announcement to make which I
am sure will be of interest to all of you. Ed Mester, who has served
this League so ably as Executive Secretary, has consented to join
my executive staff. I am pleased to announce his appointment as
Executive Assistant to the Governor. You will be reluctant to lose
him, I know, but I trust you will take into consideration that a
loss to the Municipal League is a gain to your State.

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