NEWS CONFERENCE 341

that the situation is critical. However, because of the past record of
this national States' Rights Party in Princess Anne and in Baltimore
City where what purported to be political rallies turned out to be
really racial instigations, I have talked with the Attorney General's
office and asked them to be prepared to seek an injunction if anything
gets off the track. I've also been in touch with General Gelston and
with Dr. Ware and the people in Cambridge to do what we can do
to keep the situation as quiet as we can. We are not going to send
any large number of troopers or the guard or anyone else to Cam-
bridge, because frankly we think that the Negro community in Cam-
bridge is responsible enough that they are not going to let a few
statements made by these people, who seem to be moving around with
the express purpose of selling discontent, inflame them to the point
that they will do something precipitate.

Q. Governor, these same people, States' Rights Party people, are
under appeal to the State Court of Appeals on a conviction of inciting
to riot last summer in Baltimore. Are there any steps that can be
taken to speed up this court action? Would that be under the State
Court of Appeals? Would they have to take that in turn?

A. It's before the Court of Appeals and it's up to the Court as to
whether they would want to accelerate that particular hearing. I
don't know whether or not the determination would affect any future
convocations of this crowd. Certainly, different people may be in-
volved than those convicted for inciting to riot, if the convictions
stand up in the Court of Appeals.

Q. If you ask the Attorney General to have an injunction against
the States' Rights People, could it be broadened to include perhaps
Stokely Carmichael, whom they want to bring in?

A. Well, I haven't seen any desire on the part of Mr. Carmichael to
appear. He hasn't appeared yet, and I think they will use any well
known name they can to further their cause. I think we'll have to
face the situation as it occurs, but whatever the Attorney General
would decide is necessary to preserve the public peace, if anything
should happen, I hope he will do and I'm sure he will do.

Q. Governor, have you paid similar attention to Laurel where there
has been an attempt to burn a Negro house there?

A. I've been following the Laurel situation as reported in the news-
papers, but I haven't really done anything about it because the evolu-
tion of it appeared to indicate that the mayor had it under control.
He hasn't called on me for any assistance, and I think it's a local