NEWS CONFERENCE 25

Q. You mentioned your relationship with the majority leadership.
Have you had any consultation so far with the minority leadership?

A. Oh yes, I certainly have. Most of these people I know very well
personally, and I'm in touch with them frequently.

Q. Mr. Agnew, how different is the job you have assigned Mr. Bresler
from that held by Mr. Townsend until very recently?

A. Well, I would say the major difference is that it involves specific
areas of full time responsibility.

Q. Are you saying that Mr. Townsend was not working full time?

A. I don't know whether he was or not. I don't think there was any
requirement for him to work any particular hours because he was em-
ployed on a consultative basis, and I have never seen the guidelines of
his endeavors laid down. It was very nebulous.

Q. One of his jobs was to represent the City of Baltimore shortly
before he took a job with SBA. Do you feel that Baltimore still ought
to have its own liaison man, or do you think Mr. Bresler will ade-
quately do that?

A. I think Mr. Bresler will adequately represent the City, and I'm
glad you brought this question up because it's been my feeling that
the growing tendency of cities to go directly to the Federal govern-
ment has come about because vacuums exist between the State and the
Federal government. And if the State does the job adequately, I sec no
reason why the city should duplicate it. Also, I think it leaves the
State in a position where it is not well informed when the City goes
directly to the Federal government. Now, I know there are demonstra-
tion City projects and other programs, but the State should certainly
involve itself in those programs. And when we were briefed at Senator
Tydings" office recently, the representative from HUD told us that they
preferred the State to be involved.

Q. Have you consulted with Mayor McKeldin about this area?
A. Not yet, no.

Q. Governor, recently within the Democratic State Senate there was
a power play in which State Senator Malkus was replaced as head of the
Senate Judiciary Committee by Senator Curran. Do you think this is
an indication that some of your urban programs will go through a
little easier in the Senate?