Through the efforts of dedicated representatives of the three jur-
isdictions, working over a five-year period, this new Commission,
which is unique in many ways, will establish a common agency to
replace the multiple and somewhat piecemeal regulation that has
heretofore dealt with mass transportation in the metropolitan area
of the Nation's Capitol. It will go even further. It will establish
complete regulation, where none now exists, of operations that move
from one jurisdiction to another within the Washington Commer-
cial Zone.

I want to thank the representatives of Virginia, the representatives
of the District of Columbia, and the three principal Maryland mem-
bers who were most responsible for its creation. These Maryland
representatives are Edward S. Northrop, State Senator from Mont-
gomery County, Carlton R. Sickles, a member of the General Assem-
bly from Prince George's County, and Albert L. Sklar, a member of
the Public Service Commission whom I had the pleasure of appoint-
ing. The State of Maryland gratefully acknowledges the work of
these gentlemen in the creation of this new Commission.

With the signing of this compact, the three jurisdictions are pion-
eering in a new field of cooperation between states and between
states and the federal government.

While each of the jurisdictions has been doing its job, conscien-
tiously, the duplication was, at best, awkward. For example, it has
been necessary for the regulated companies to process fare applica-
tions in jurisdictions, which has resulted in higher expenses that
must be passed on to the riding public. With overall regulation now
possible, through one centralized group, a definite improvement in
service should be realized at fares that are reasonable.

ADDRESS, STATE ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS - OCEAN CITY

August 26, 1961

I welcome this opportunity to meet and converse with the men
and women who bear the heavy responsibility of directing the peo-
ple's government at the local level.

I should like to address myself this evening to the subject of local
and state government relationships and to offer you some of the

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