102 State Papers and Addresses

skillful and your speed may affect his operation of the car; furthermore, the
slightest carelessness on his part may spell disaster for you.

The point that I would like to stress tonight is this: the success of this
October Safety week, and of the entire campaign conducted by the Maryland
Traffic Safety Commission is assured if it receives the cooperation and good-
will of those listening in tonight and of the other citizens of our State.

The Commission will do its work and evidence is at hand that a general and
well-considered program will be pursued in every section of the State. If.
added to this effort, the public of Maryland, without extra trouble or expense
to itself, will help, then the most satisfactory results will be achieved.

It is inconceivable that we who have the utmost sympathy with the un-
fortunate people of lands across the seas, should refuse to do all in our power
to stop the tragedies that are happening daily, sometimes under our very eyes.
We must—in all humanity, — take up the fight that has been launched and
carry it on vigorously to the end that next month and all the months to follow
will give evidence that the people of Maryland WILL NOT have their friends,
or relatives, or others killed wantonly on our roads and streets!

Every organization that exists in Maryland today, to achieve some meri-
torious civic or fraternal purpose, can well join hands with the Maryland Traffic
Commission in this most important campaign to save human lives. Many of
such organizations have similar programs of their own and have done most
commendable work, notably among the school children. But the fact can be
emphasized that our State-wide safety program does not supercede or in any
way conflict with the good work that has been started in particular sections.
We welcome the active assistance of every such organization because the
purpose to be served is one in which we can all work for the common good.

As a closing word, we could not engage in a more humane and worthy
cause than for the safe-guarding of the lives of our fellow-citizens, including
the children of our State. This is a campaign in which differences of political
affiliations or other nature,. can be set aside while an united front is presented
in a concerted effort whereby the simple exercise of decent regard for the
rights of others, we can achieve success to the lasting happiness of many
families throughout the State. Maryland formerly stood in the front rank of
the States of the country in regard, to the safety of its citizens on the high-
ways. I ask your active and much-needed support in this movement so that
our State can regain the place it formerly enjoyed, and in order that we can
eliminate the losses of life and intense human miseries through the avoiding
of accidents which are clearly avoidable! Your help will mean that Maryland
will become a safer place in which to live.

THE OPENING OF THE HANCOCK BRIDGE

October 7, 1939

Hancock

WE are assembled this afternoon for the pleasurable duty of dedicating
formally the newest and finest bridge in the Maryland roads system.
This splendid structure spanning the historic Potomac is a thing of beauty,