292 ADDRESSES AND STATE PAPERS

Major administrative reforms to correct the critical conditions in
Maryland's prisons were initiated. Rehabilitation programs and fa-
cilities were authorized to combat the appalling 70% recidivism rate
which has plagued our correctional system.

The Miles Commission was established to conduct an intensive and
comprehensive survey of the impact of overt and covert gambling in
Maryland.

These are but the highlights of administrative and legislative action
that transpired during the first one hundred days of putting the past
to rest and the future in perspective.

It is a meritorious record that can be appreciated and accepted only
as a beginning; a prelude of greater action, which must come, if
Maryland is to fulfill its potential.

The political scientist, Harold Lasswell, captured the essence of
this challenge when he wrote, "The problem is not to drift with the
current but to navigate the stream and this calls for the correct an-
ticipation of what lies ahead. "

The achievements of the first one hundred days have navigated the
Ship of State into a new and broader river. Henceforth, State govern-
ment must pilot this ship through troublesome shoals to the most
secure and prosperous harbor. This will require good leadership and
solid planning.

Excellent planning, which embraces both accurate anticipation of
future needs and creative programs to fulfill them, is the key to
orderly, constructive progress. Consequently, intelligent planning must
discipline all government considerations.

If planning is essential, what is or should be the essence of solid,
intelligent, responsible planning?

The first element must be precision. Every effort must be made to
assure that planning is an accurate instrument that justifies giving
direction to future development. Through the application of scientific
and engineering methods, the planning process should be able not
merely to presume, but to scientifically calculate growth patterns.
Under its new chairman-director, the State Roads Commission has
adopted several refined planning techniques. One of these is Systems
Analysis which resolves complex traffic and structural problems
through the application of advanced technological methods. Another
example of the new techniques is the Critical Path Method which not