538 ADDRESSES AND STATE PAPERS

The economic welfare of the entire State is so closely tied to the
activities of the Port of Baltimore that we must be ever watchful to
protect ourselves against any action which could injure the Port.

I am satisfied that by attaching to any approval of the proposed
merger appropriate conditions requiring prompt consummation of the
long promised merger of the Baltimore 8c Ohio and the Chesapeake &
Ohio railroad companies, the Commission can effectively guard against
any injury to the Port.

NEWS CONFERENCE
November 30, 1967

There was no opening statement by the Governor.

Q. Governor, in your inaugural address about ten months ago you
pledged your administration to the pursuit of excellence. I noticed
by pencils that have been readied that it seems to have become a
watchword or motto of your administration to pursue excellence. How
are you doing with catching up with it?

A. It's an elusive target, Mr. Weiss, excellence, but improvement is
something I think we've been able to achieve to some extent. We've
reviewed our campaign promises and achievements and we do find that
there has been a substantial accomplishment of the objectives we under-
took. The tax program, of course, was the principal one. That has
been achieved for the most part and I would expect it to be finished
this year.

Q. In other words, Governor, are you saying that you don't expect
any individual income tax, or sales tax raise?

A. That is right. I have no intentions to increase personal tax bur-
dens during the remainder of this term of office.

Q. Governor, you wouldn't define excellence, I wouldn't think, just
in terms of a tax readjustment program.

A. I think really I would, yes. I think it's probably one of the most
important things in the pursuit of excellence that there is, because the
tax program provides the money to furnish the services that are neces-
sary to upgrade the functioning of the government. And most people
look at a tax program like an impediment, which of course it is politi-
cally. But there isn't any doubt in my mind that it is the most impor-