296 ADDRESSES AND STATE PAPERS

It has been tentatively decided that the General Assembly will be
called into special session on Thursday, at 10: 00 a. m. Now, this is
subject to modification based on certain problems of printing and
other pro forma matters that have to be thoroughly resolved before
we set the date and time explicitly.

I don't anticipate there will be any problem with the correction
of the error in the bill. It's a very narrow point of law as is easily
manifested by the fact that Judge Cardin in Baltimore City decided
otherwise than the Court of Appeals. But since the Court of Appeals
is the highest court of the state, obviously it's decision will control
and we must take steps to make certain that the money can be dis-
tributed to the subdivisions.

I want to emphasize that the Court of Appeals has upheld the
validity of the taxing measure and the only portion thereof which is
called into account is the distribution of the revenues to the sub-
divisions. Now, as you all know very well, most of the subdivisions
have already enacted their budgets and it's necessary for them to
have these monies if they are to provide the services which they are
obligating themselves for. So it's most important that we call the
General Assembly into special session so that the distribution of the
$98 million to the subdivisions, which is for the purpose of holding
down the property taxes, can take place.

Q. Governor, do you feel, in view of the opposition of some of the
Maryland residents so far to this tax plan, that you will have a free
passage to correct this mistake or do you see the least little bit of op-
position in the General Assembly?

A. No, I see no probability of any opposition generating, simply be-
cause the tax measure itself will not even be considered at this session.

Q. Will anything else be considered, Governor, while you have them
here?

A. Well, it's hoped that we can restrict the session to the specific
purpose of correcting the mistake in the appropriations measure.

Q. Governor, can you tell us how this mistake came about?

A. Well, I guess it came about, if it can be characterized a mistake,
because the lawyers who prepared the tax legislation — and inciden-
tally they came from the Comptroller's office, the Attorney General's
office and from my office, so there is no attempt to place the blame on
any particular branch of the government — those lawyers construed