918 ADDRESSES AND STATE PAPERS
Q. Governor, one of those who attended this dinner last night said
he felt you were so personally committed to Nixon that you can't
get out of it?
A. No, that's not so. I have no personal commitment to either one
of the principal candidates who is thus far announced.
(Use of State Yacht)
Q. Do you approve of the Public Service Commission taking their
wives on business trips on the State yacht?
A. Well, I understand from the Commissioners that this was cleared
through the Department of Chesapeake Bay Affairs and through my
office and that the expense was picked up by the Commissioners them-
selves, with the exception of the small amount of gasoline or fuel oil
or diesel oil that it takes to move the yacht that distance. That boat
goes out frequently on promotional trips related to the Bay, and I
don't see a thing wrong with the Public Service Commission's having
a chance to utilize the yacht. I do know that when I was a research
man on the Court of Appeals Rules Committee many years ago that
at least twice a year the Rules Committee met on that boat and took
a cruise. But I don't want to make these judgments. I leave it to the
Department of Chesapeake Bay Affairs because they run the yacht
and they should know what's a legitimate purpose for the Bay de-
velopment and what's legitimate in the provision of somewhat of a
pleasant day for some State agencies.
(Usury Law)
Q. Governor, on a more important subject. The interest and usury
law in the State of Maryland is now in a bit of confusion. There has
been talk among legislative leaders about calling a special session to
deal with that particular subject.
A. Let me bring you to date on that thing. I talked the day before
yesterday with Mr. Lowe, who was the prime mover in that legisla-
tion. I also have talked with Mr. Mandel and other legislative leaders
about it. When the FNMA in Montgomery County indicated it was
not going to extend credit until clarification, yesterday I wrote to
the Attorney General requesting that he intervene in that proceeding
on behalf of the State to expedite a case that is already in progress
in Prince George's County and to press for an early determination
of what the legality of the statute is. I don't want, and I don't believe
many members of the Legislature want, a special session until the
courts have had a chance to clarify the situation. And I would point
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