of Governor Herbert R. O'Conor 11

It shall be my pleasure to be available and at the service of the Legislature
and of its individual members and to assist it and them in every way within
my power. My sincere desire is to be helpful. My only wish is to cooperate
to the end that the session may be fruitful of constructive results for our
beloved State.

And now is concluding this address, my fellow citizens, may I ask your
confidence and support in exchange for which I can only dedicate myself to
the public service which lies ahead. We stand today at the threshold of a new
tomorrow for our State. God grant us all the vision to distinguish the great
things, to do them in effective ways, and to maintain the courage to carry out
what we know should be done even though it be difficult to do. Let us, to-
gether, so arrange the affairs of the great State of Maryland that never again
will we need take second place in the Union; Let petty considerations be ig-
nored while we, as fellow citizens, become interested in the continued progress
of our State along every forward-looking line.

Let us grapple with our problems with steadfast purpose encouraged by
the incentive that no difficulties are so great that the united efforts of well-
intentioned people cannot solve them.

With reliance upon God and with the interests of our State at heart, may
we now proceed in united activity, to effect worthy accomplishments for
Maryland.

FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
OF THE COUNCIL OF STATE GOVERNMENTS

Governor O'Conor Presiding

The Mayflower Hotel, January 19, 1939

Washington, D. C.

In these days, when so much comment is heard relative to the Federal Gov-
erment's participation in matters formerly reserved to the States, it is timely
to suggest that the States themselves might be to blame, in some degree, for not
showing an ability to master the pressing problems of this age. Undoubtedly,
the sovereignty of the States can be preserved and, at the same time, the States
could keep abreast of the development of social needs, if the State Governments
prove their capacity to measure up to present day obligations.

In other words, it seems apparent that the State Governments are on
trial. They must prove that they are capable of meeting the complicated
questions pressing forward for solution. The States ought not to content
themselves with complaining about Federal intervention. Officials of State
Governments will rended greater service by showing that Federal intervention
is not always necessary because the States can handle their own problems to
the satisfaction of their own people.

One of the most important questions facing the States is that which forms
the subject of today's conference under the auspices of the Council of State
Governments. It concerns Interstate Trade Barriers. When many of the
world's greatest problems are being properly or improperly laid at the doors