The buildings which have been erected here represent a good invest-
ment of public funds, because it is an investment in the youth of our
State. Regarding this investment—the investment in our children—let
me offer you a quotation from an ancient philosopher, the Greek Socrates:
"If I could get to the highest place in Athens, " he said, "I would lift up
my voice and say: 'What mean ye, fellow citizens, that ye turn every
stone to scrape wealth together, and take so little care of your children,
to whom one day ye must relinquish all. ' "

As we dedicate these buildings, then, let us make a solemn pledge to
work tirelessly for the better care of our children into whose hands we
entrust the future of our State.

ADDRESS, RAZING OLD MAIN BUILDING

SPRING GROVE STATE HOSPITAL,

CATONSVILLE

March 18, 1964

Mr. Smith, Reverend members of the clergy, Dr. Tuerk, Dr. Radaus-
kas, Mr. Backhaus, Mr. Rennie, distinguished guests, ladies and gentle-
men:

This is indeed a rare event and an uncommon ceremony. We have met
here not to celebrate the creation of a new public building but to proclaim
the destruction of an old one. The ceremony nevertheless is quite
appropriate and in fact is highly significant. The old building which
we are about to tear down is replete with symbolism. In a proper
appraisal of history, it represents some of the finest of pioneering
achievements in the care and treatment of the mentally ill.

More than three-quarters of a century ago, an enlightened and under-
standing superintendent of the Spring Grove Hospital ordered the re-
moval of such restrictive devices as the straight jacket and the dark
room and prescribed for the patients of the institution sunshine, fresh
air and freedom. Spring Grove, with Old Main Building at its core, has
been the center of some of the most advanced psychiatric thought and
practice. The hospital did some of the pioneering research in several
forms of shock therapy. Some of the first tranquillizing drugs were used
for research purposes in the Old Main Building.

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