NEWS CONFERENCE 247

Q. Governor, do you see any signs of an increasing interest in the
election?

A. I haven't seen a great deal of enthusiasm yet. I'm not really dis-
couraged about it, because every election I can remember begins with
a certain amount of apathy and generally catches fire in the last few
days before the election. This is a little more difficult because unfor-
tunately there are no Statewide candidacies involved. Everything is
on a local basis, which makes it more difficult to trigger some overall
enthusiasm.

Q. Wouldn't you like to see the political leaders of the districts and
the counties come out and get some action across country?

A. About the Convention election, I think the political leaders
should do everything in their power to stimulate attention to this
election and to encourage all of their workers who normally partici-
pate in regular elections to participate in these elections.

Q. Even to the extent of supporting a certain candidate?

A. Well, I think certainly they would like to support, and will sup-
port, certain candidates. If they do, other candidates will then find
it necessary to have assistance on their behalf and that's how the thing
will get some attention.

Q. Governor you've given us a statement earlier today on the Comp-
troller and the tax program. Do you expect immediate action in court
by the Attorney General?

A. In the statement I gave you relative to certain accusations that
have been raised against the constitutionality of the tax law, I want
to point out that I discussed this personally with the Attorney General
last night and that we agreed that it was circumspect to seek a declar-
atory judgment immediately, rather than wait for any further de-
tailed opinions on the issues that were raised by the Comptroller. The
Attorney General will seek such a declaratory judgment as quickly
as he can so that these questions can be put to rest once and for all.

Q. Governor, would you explain to us the legal procedures, which
court the Attorney General will go to, and whether or not a declara-
tory judgment can be sought?

A. Well, I'm sure it can be sought. I'm not certain in which court
he will bring the action. Those mechanical details are best left to
the Attorney General's discretion. But certainly he raised no question
about his ability to do this.