96 ADDRESSES AND STATE PAPERS

Q. Governor, in fact doesn't the new plan move the burden down-
ward somewhat to lower income families?

A. There is no question that it has moved the burden onto the lower
income groups; and I prefer, I emphasize, I prefer the original plan.
But it is, as compromises are necessary in the legislative process, a
reasonable compromise and one that I'm willing to support.

Q. Governor, do you still intend to go on television tomorrow night?
A. Yes.

Q. What do you expect to gain by that if the plan is in such good
shape and has the support of the General Assembly?

A. I think the fact that the General Assembly likes the plan doesn't
necessarily mean that the people are fervently behind it, and I want
to try to convince some of them too, Frank.

Q. The people don't have the vote.
A. They will three years from now.

Q. Governor, do you consider the constitutional convention call a
must?

A. Yes, I do.

Q. To the extent of a special session, Governor, if they don't pass it?

A. I don't want to reach that unless it becomes a necessity, but I
feel that the leadership in the Legislature is pretty well committed to
considering it a must also, and I believe it is going to come about
without any necessity for a special session.

Q. Governor, have you formed any opinion on the police union?

A. I read Mr. Burch's opinion, which to me seemed to indicate his
belief that the basic Maryland law as reflected in the Monger case was
still the law. Realistically, I have got to say that, following that law
as he sees it, there is little opportunity for a union to function in any
effective fashion within the Baltimore City police force. I am going to
meet with the City Police Commissioner, probably immediately after
this session, to discuss better methods of receiving grievances from
groups. That seems to be the crux of the dispute. According to the
Burch decision and according to my understanding of the present
Maryland law, there is no way in which a union could bargain col-
lectively for anyone in the police department.