of Governor Herbert R. O'Conor 113

children, help to the needy blind and for assistance to those who are public
charges through involuntary unemployment.

Heretofore, in Maryland, these needs were met by temporary taxation.
It seemed to me that we ought to face squarely the proposition that this is
a permanent obligation of the State. Accordingly, the financing of our relief
program for the first time in the history of Maryland is included in the State
budget, thus placing the Social Security program on a sound basis. This
Department will study the needs continuingly of the various State-aided insti-
tutions, concerned with the care of the poor and dependent, they will study
semi-public and private hospitals, dispensaries and institutions for the mentally
and physically affected. Undoubtedly, as a result of this continuing study, a
more equitable disposition of available funds will be made to these charitable
institutions and agencies.

Through the operation of the Equalization Fund, equal educational oppor-
tunity is offered to the children of the whole State. I included in the budget
an increase in the Equalization Fund's appropriation of $83, 695. 00 for the cur-
rent fiscal year as compared with the amount appropriated in 1938. This
increased appropriation provided for additional high school aid and for an ad-
ditional number of teachers resulting from increased enrollment. Provision
was made also for one extra month's salary for colored teachers in accordance
•with law. This amounted to $61, 216. 00 for the current year. Finally, $5, 000. 00
was appropriated for ten additional special classes for the mentally handicapped.

What is most essential is that we shall continue to plan for the future.
The fact that a Legislative Council is now an actuality should only spur us
on to see that this agency produces the results of which it is capable. The
fact that the minor judiciary of the State has been re-organized through the
abolition of the fee system, and a modern method devised, should cause us
to insist that this system work to the best possible advantage. The re-organiz-
ation of the Department of Probation and Parole should prove an incentive to
combine efforts so that this system may salvage human beings.

When we look only to the present, we must accept to a great extent what-
ever fate wishes to deal out to us. When we deal in futures in government,
we can make ourselves masters of the situation. Maryland, happily, is in much
better condition than many of the other Commonwealths of the Country. But
our citizens owe it to themselves not to rest on the laurels but to plan for the
future in order that every possible improvement can be effected.

NATIONAL CONVENTION OF THE NATIONAL GUARD
ASSOCIATION

Southern Hotel, October 26, 1939
Baltimore

A MONTH ago we celebrated here in Maryland the one hundred and twenty-
fifth anniversary of the writing of the Star Spangled Banner and com-
memorated the repulse of the invading enemy forces at Fort McHenry and
North Point. Today we experience another invasion, but instead of trying to
repulse it, Maryland welcomes it.