100, 000 visitors. I have the opportunity to meet many of these tourists
personally and I am always filled with pride and satisfaction when
I learn from them that they are coming in ever increasing numbers
from all over the United States, as far away as California and Hawaii,
as well as from many foreign countries, to see our historic State House
— once the capitol of the United States.

About three years ago, when I proposed to the General Assembly
that our State should undertake a program of economic development,
I had in mind, among other things, the need to expand the efforts
to develop the travel industry. Although we had a limited program
in the past, I was convinced that our State government should be
doing a great deal more than it had to build up our tourist business.
Furthermore, it was obvious to me that, by developing our travel
resources, we would, at the same time, greatly strengthen our hand
when it came to bringing new industry here, for it is well known
much modern industry is attracted by these same features which
appeal to tourists — for example, scenic areas and recreational facil-
ities, good living and pleasant accommodations. The Legislature
acted on my request to create the Department of Economic Develop-
ment, and among other things, this new agency was assigned the job
of travel development. The tourist promotion division was created,
which, along with the business and Industrial Division and the Eco-
nomic Research Division, has been carrying on the dynamic work of
the Department, under its director, George W. Hubley, Jr., whom I
appointed to carry out the aims and policies of Maryland's Economic
Development Commission, headed by Harry A. Boswell, Jr.

I firmly believe, that, today, Maryland stands on the threshold of
its greatest success in tourist development. While much of the ground-
work has been laid, some basic tasks remain, if we want to attract
tourists to our geographically small, but historically great State. For
example, as I travel about Maryland, I have noticed the need for
signs to make it easier for visitors to reach our historic, scenic, and
recreational attractions. Also, if we want people from out-of-state to
visit us, we should make them feel welcome when they cross our
borders. I am hoping that, in the very near future, signs reading
"welcome to historic Maryland" will be erected by the State Roads
Commission at the major entry points on our borders. By the same
token, visitors leaving our State should be given a courteous farewell
by means of similar signs. I understand that interested officials of
the State Roads Commission, the Department of Economic Develop-
ment, and the Maryland Historical Society already are working on
plans to bring this about.

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