NEWS CONFERENCE 773

until after the next election and maybe not then because it is so far
off. I have no idea whether it did me any good or whether it did me
harm. All I can tell you is that certain of the reaction to them was
very distressing to a person with a good record in civil rights. I don't
want to go any further than that outside of the statement that I read.

(Rockefeller)

Q. Governor, there appears to be a new Rockefeller movement. Are
you connected with it in any way?

A. Well, I've been a little busy lately. I try to keep in touch with
what is going on in my party nationally, but I haven't been able to
take an active part in anything.

(Aid for Small Businessmen)

Q. Governor, are you taking any steps to see if the State can in
some way aid the small businessmen whose properties were destroyed
in the riot?

A. Yes, we are taking those steps and we will have shortly an an-
nouncement of a series of steps which we are taking in this regard.

(Bowie Students)

Q. Governor, could we go back for a moment to Bowie? Has there
been any discussion about dropping the charges?

A. This is not a matter for the executive to enter into and it's in
the hands of the State's Attorney of Anne Arundel County and he
will make the judgments. I have no thought of interfering with the
process going ahead normally.

(Aid for Small Businessmen, Resumed)

Q. Can you elaborate on the series of steps you are taking to get aid
for businessmen?

A. We have a press release prepared and I don't think I want to
release it right now. I think it will be out very shortly.

(Rockefeller)

Q. Now that Governor Rockefeller may be reassessing his position,
would you again be active in Maryland on his behalf?

A. It is difficult to say at this point. Obviously if I did become a
favorite son candidate, and I have no way of knowing at the moment
whether I will be, I would not be overtly active for any candidate.
There's no way to tell at this point.