SIGNING HOUSE BILL 348 159

The bill principally affects those who engage in the business of con-
structing and selling homes for profit, not on individual order but in
the development of whole subdivisions.

To me, this bill represents a logical and inevitable extension of the
philosophy that is embodied in the public accommodations law. They
both require that commodities sold to the general public for profit
be sold on an equal basis to all citizens.

I campaigned for this type of fair housing law in the election last
year. Although the bill before us is slightly more restrictive than my
campaign position, I am pleased to sign it as the best possible com-
promise that could be obtained and a realistic approach to opening
up huge new segments of housing to all of our citizens.

To those who would decry the limitations in this bill, I remind them
that it is a solid achievement—not another legislative defeat. And I
predict it will win the acceptance of the general public, instead of
generating more controversy and conflict.

It is also my pleasure to sign today an extension of the 1964 public
accommodations laws Senate Bill 173 brings under provisions of the
act such places as motion picture houses, theaters, concert halls and
sports arenas, and in general brings the State law into conformity with
Federal legislation.

STATEMENT ON SIGNING HOUSE BILL 348
(HARBOR TUNNEL AND BAY BRIDGE LEGISLATION)

April 21, 1967

It gives me a great deal of pleasure today to sign this legislation
which will bring order out of chaos in the planning of our toll struc-
tures and put the authority for such planning where it rightfully be-
longs—in our State Roads Commission.

This bill authorizes the Commission to build a second Baltimore
Harbor tunnel and three additional crossings of the Chesapeake Bay.
It is empowered to determine the order in which these structures are
to be built and. of equal importance, to start preliminary planning
and the acquisition of rights-of-way now for all of them before land
costs soar to astronomical proportions. These features of the bill will