14 State Papers and Addresses

Do not think that I underestimate the extent of help I am asking: from
you, either. I know how strongly your readers feel about certain reasons, if
not the real reason why nothing of lasting benefit has been done about conserva-
tion or its twin problems, is that the problems have been approached by a num-
ber of groups, each seeking only its own advantage, and unwilling to make
any concessions to achieve a solution acceptable to all. Unless we can appreci-
ate the reasons for failure up to now, and avoid such pitfalls in our delibera-
tions, we are likely to arrive at the same lack of results in the future. And the
problems are too pressing now to permit any thought of failure.

BUDGET MESSAGE
TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

January 24, 1939
Annapolis

Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the
General Assembly of Maryland:

THE Constitution of our State stipulates that the Governor, within a
J definite period and under specified conditions, shall submit for the con-
sideration of the General Assembly the budgets for the ensuing two years,
totaling the proposed expenditures of the State.

In keeping with this requirement, I am pleased to appear before your
General Session so that I may also discuss with you the fiscal problems of
the State and the considerations which have motivated me in the preparation
of the budget. Although the Constitution allows the Governor a period of
thirty days after his inauguration for the submission of the budget, I am
placing the matter before you much in advance of this time limit for the
double purpose of affording you every possible opportunity to examine its
contents and also in order that by an earlier determination of this question
you may proceed to the enactment of other legislation.

At the outset I want to reiterate the statements which I made in my
inaugural address concerning the State's fiscal situation. I then stated "that the
most important problem facing the administration is that of placing the State's
finances on a sound and enduring foundation. We must not continue to live
on borrowed money. We must provide adequate revenues for the proper
discharge of the State's obligations and to supply the needed services. But,
before we impose further upon the taxpayers, it is imperative that we exhaust
every legitimate effort to avoid waste and extravagance in the State govern-
ment. " I further stated that substantial reductions in existing governmental
cost could be made without impairing essential functions by paring down de-
partmental estimates, eliminating non-essential expenditures, foregoing govern-
mental luxuries, and getting down strictly to necessities.

I want to assure you that I have approached the difficult task which the
Constitution and Laws of the State impose upon the Governor of preparing
the budget with this conviction uppermost in my mind, and with a firm