NEWS CONFERENCE 589

legally impossible prior to acquisition of the property as the im-
provements could not be constructed.

I might also point out that the incumbent County Administrative
Officer, Mr. William E. Fornoff, was in a similar position during my
administration and served on the Executive Board which reviewed all
Public Works Agreements prior to my signature.

Questions and Answers
(Medical d)

Q. Governor, the Hospital Council of Maryland requested that you
rescind your Medicaid cutback order. Do you have any comment?

A. Yes, I have a meeting with the Hospital Council scheduled for
Friday of this week — I am not sure of the hour. I am going to dis-
cuss the Medicaid cutbacks with them. I met this morning with the
Maryland Hospital Commission to discuss the same subject. I would
say that the position of the State of Maryland and the action we took
is no different than that taken in eight other states which were forced
to their knees for the same reason. I can't see any possibility — unless
the revenue estimates that will come in January or February in-
dicate a more favorable position — of our being able to restore the
cuts that we made. But I do want to emphasize that we have not in
any way curtailed or reduced payments for anyone on welfare or any
person who is blind or disabled or for aid to families with children.

Q. It was reported that this cutback order would affect about 60%
of the people in the inner City.

A. Well, I guess that you would find that percentage is less than the
total number of people on welfare in the inner City; so I would
imagine, and I have no way of verifying this, but I would imagine
that there are fewer people in the inner City on this particular pro-
gram than in any other phase of assistance.

(Constitutional Convention)

Q. Governor, do you have any comment on the Con Con — in up-
holding the single-member district?

A. I took my position on single-member districts, and you will recall
that I favored the compromise of the three-man House of Delegates
district — one senator, three members of the House of Delegates. I
made my arguments and they have not yet been persuasive with the
majority of the convention. This will not prevent my supporting the
draft constitution. I don't agree with the result they reached, but
they reached it after deliberation and consideration, and I think that