Maryland is one of the top five states in the percentage of its inter-
state mileage that has been opened to traffic. Now 84 per cent of its
interstate mileage is open or under construction. It is true that it is
among the last of the states in the amount of federal money spent, but,
as you know, that is because Baltimore City gets 40 per cent of the
money for the 19 miles it has yet to build. It is my understanding that
this problem is close to a solution.

If Maryland is to keep pace with the growing demands of the future,
Maryland public officials in charge of building roads must retain a broad
vision. Projects for the far future, for example, must include such
things as outer beltways around Baltimore and Washington, a northern
freeway across the top of the State, a lower Patuxent bridge and eventual
dualization of every major artery of the State.

In any discussion of road-building accomplishments and road-building
plans, I would be remiss in my duties if I did not acknowledge the
indebtedness we public officials have to you highway contractors. For it
is to you—the highway contractor—that government passes on the
responsibility of providing the roads upon which much of the traffic of
the nation can move with safety and efficiency....

As I have tried to point out here today, our State record of achieve-
ment in the highway construction field is, I think, adequate. And let it
be said that government could not have done this job without you. I
know that on many occasions the highway contracting industry has been
given construction tasks which have been difficult to perform and
construction deadlines which have been hard to meet. The contracting
industry shouldered these burdens and did the job that was asked of
them, and the people of Maryland will be forever in your debt for the
caliber of your performance.

We may reasonably expect that the increase in the highway require-
ments of the future will add to the difficulties of both government and
the industry you represent. If the transportation needs of the people of
our State are to be met, we must not for a moment relax our efforts to
move forward in this field. To give the people of Maryland the quantity
and the quality of highways they need for present requirements, and to
plan the construction of the roads they will need in the years of the
future, is a responsibility of the government of the State. It is your
responsibility also to continue your support of the government in this

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