NEWS CONFERENCE 197

question, I'm very dedicated to the concept that we should utilize
these Federal monies to the maximum, and it's just bad business for
us in Maryland government because of certain ideological assumptions
about Federal assistance to let money of our taxpayers go to other
jurisdictions for needs that are so vital and critical here in our own
State. That's why I named Mr. Bresler to spend his time in Washington
to make sure that the subdivisions and the municipalities were made
constantly aware of what was available to them and to encourage them
to use the Federal monies to remedy local situations.

Q. Along that line, what kind of progress is Mr. Bresler making?

A. He's doing very well. I met with him last night and he's working
actively with many groups throughout the State. He's been with me at
some of the meetings that have been held in the counties and will
continue to meet with their local people.

Q. Governor, judging from letters in newspapers and letters that we
are receiving in the office, there is a lot of distrust over "Civic" and
other screening organizations for the Constitutional Convention elec-
tions. Do you have any comment?

A. Well, I felt that Civic is trying to do a good job. I think that the
remark of someone from that organization that's triggered a great
deal of response, was an unfortunate remark. I think the words "if
you don't measure up, get out, " were used. Well, who is going to say
whether a person measures up? That's why we have elections. If
enough people think he measures up, he gets elected. On the other
hand, I don't think we should discourage organizations like Civic from
trying to do the best job of screening and suggesting that they can
for people who may be inclined to respect their judgments. But to
tell a person, "look at whom you're running against and if you don't
measure up, get out, " that's a rather arrogant statement. I'm not in
sympathy with that.

Q. Shouldn't the voter use his own judgment instead of taking all
the advice from the screening organization?

A. I think so. I think the voter should use his own judgment but on
many occasions I have been persuaded by the opinions of people
whom I trust who have had an opportunity to spend a great deal
more time in evaluating a situation, and I think this may very well
be the case with some voters who don't have a chance to read or judge
people and may be persuaded by the recommendations of groups like
Civic.