824 ADDRESSES AND STATE PAPERS

A. Well now, I think that statement is a little bit out of context.
What I really said at that time was that it" I couldn't communicate
with the people who were there whom I had invited out of a broad
cross section and many lists of people who have been active in the
Negro community — I simply invited them all — I didn't try to select
them — I have never tried to select leadership for the Negro community
— what I said was that if I can't communicate with these people and
they can't with me, perhaps other leaders will come forth who can. I
have no desire to designate the leaders. This is totally beyond my
intention.

(State Revenue)

Q. Governor, has Mr. Goldstein conveyed to you as yet his latest
estimates on income tax?

A. I have talked with Mr. Goldstein briefly on this subject and also
with Mr. Marsh of his office and they have agreed to expedite to the
greatest extent possible at least a ball park figure involving the total
collections. I hope to have this information by the end of next week
for action the following week. J need it because I can't make any
accurate decisions about what portions of the Medicaid program are
going to be restored, expanded, curtailed or in any way affected until
I have some idea about the total revenue available to deal with these
problems. Mr. Goldstein did indicate during our last conversation
what I would characterize as a careful note of caution, but a rather
optimistic viewpoint when contrasted with what I heard previously —
what I really meant to say was not a careful note of caution, but a
careful note of optimism.

(Constitutional Revision)

Q. The Legislative Council has appointed a committee to look over
the Constitution to see if it can salvage parts of it. How do you feel
about that?

A. Well, I think it's an excellent idea. The strongest opponents of
the Constitution have indicated that there are parts of it that they
approve of, and it seems to me that if there are parts of the Constitu-
tion that everyone thinks are an improvement on the existing docu-
ment the government should take prompt action to have those pre-
pared either by way of constitutional amendment or by legislative
action if constitutional amendment is not essentially required. I will
work with the members of the Legislature. I have already talked to
Senator James and to Mr. Mandel about this, and we have agreed that
we will collaborate and cooperate in doing whatever we can to work