962 ADDRESSES AND STATE PAPERS

A. Well, I think that Mr. Sohmer's function as Appointments Officer
is so politically oriented in the first place that we may be able to get
away without appointing a replacement during these few months that
are coming. We have done a considerable amount of work in advance
on the appointments — the biennial appointments that come up —
technically known as the Green Bag, and there really isn't a great
amount of work to be done at this point.

(Most Vital Campaign Issues)

Q. Governor, after a couple weeks now of campaigning, what do you
see emerging at the moment as the most important issue?

A. The most important issues are clearly going to be the foreign
tensions that exist both in the Middle East and Europe, the war in
Viet Nam, the issue of the problems of the cities and crime in the
streets. These are the issues that I think will dominate all other
issues of this campaign.

MESSAGE TO MARYLAND CHIEFS OF POLICE ASSOCIATION

(Presented by Edward J. McCabe, Program Executive, Public Safety)

August 23, 1968

This year's Maryland Chiefs of Police Convention is significantly
and perhaps even symbolically timed for it falls between the two
national political conventions, where the subject you deal with day
to day has become the subject for today.

It is evident that the problems surrounding law enforcement, which
have been your primary, professional concern for many years, have
at last become the primary, domestic problem of national concern.

It is encouraging that the enforcement of law and pursuit of justice
are at last winning their deserved priority in each party's platform
and in the American people's attention.

For you, the professional police executive and administrator, this
political and popular support has created the viable climate you have
long awaited. This is the time to press for progress, the chance to
make a genuine breakthrough.

The Omnibus Crime Bill represents a significant step forward and
one which we in Maryland intend to utilize to the fullest. In ad-