this had not been determined, and when asked when it would be
determined, his answer was:
"We will make up our minds when we make up our minds. "
I don't think Gilruth was being curt and impolite to the reporter.
Sometimes that is about all we can say.
Before ending my statement, I should like to make note of two
laws on the statute books of Maryland which I believe accurately
reflect the attitude of the people of my State toward a free press and
their zeal for its preservation. In our Code since 1896 is a law which
protects news reporters from criminal prosecution for refusing to dis-
close their sources of information. Another, enacted in 1954, decrees
that meetings of legislative bodies, boards, commissions, bureaus and
agencies of State and local governments are public meetings and open
to the public at all times. "
I am pleased that these measures have been taken to afford you a
greater measure of protection in the gathering and publication of in-
formation about the people's government.
REMARKS, NATIONAL NEWSPAPER PUBLISHERS
ASSOCIATION BANQUET
MORGAN STATE COLLEGE
June 22, 1962
The State of Maryland is highly honored to have as its guests the
distinguished newspaper publishers who have come here for this 1962
annual banquet of the National Newspaper Publishers Association.
As the Governor of the State, and on behalf of all of its citizens I
extend to you a warm and cordial welcome to the Free State.
We are pleased and honored, too, to have in our midst the illus-
trious Attorney General of the United States, the Honorable Robert
F. Kennedy, the guest of honor at this banquet.
Like every other person I know in public life—and I believe Mr.
Kennedy will agree with me-I have a healthy respect for what some
one has called the "microscopic and telescopic eye" of the press.
There is the temptation at times, I confess, to feel edgy and irritable
when one is lashed by the press, but on the whole the continuing
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