of Governor Herbert R. O'Conor 21

to present the merits of their respective requests. Upon the conclusion of
the hearings the Board submits to the Governor in writing their recommenda-
tions with respect to each request, and it then becomes his responsibility to
either include in the budget the allowances recommended by them, or such
allowance as he may make after his own independent investigation.

I was represented at each of the hearings by my Budget Committee, and I
do not mean to reflect upon the integrity, sincerity of purpose or ability of the
members of the Board of State Aid and Charities, either jointly or individually,
in my comments to you concerning the system of State-Aided Institutions and
the problem they present to the State and the Governor in dealing with them.
I hold in high esteem and respect each of the several members of the Board
and feel that the State owes them a debt of gratitude for the sacrifice which
they individually make in giving of their time, experience and judgment, to the
difficult task which the system and the custom of dealing with it demands
of them.

For the system and the accustomed procedure and practice in administra-
tion, I hold no brief; but, on the contrary, I am firmly of the opinion that it
needs a complete and painstaking overhauling—conducted in the light of
present day conditions, and with a thorough understanding of the existing
endeavors in the field of operation of the State-aided Institutions and with a
due regard to the ever increasing burdens of the taxpayers.

It is apparent that the State has established no intelligent or understand-
able policy to guide either the Board of State Aid and Charities, or the Governor,
in dealing with the Institutions, and in relating their activities and purposes
to other simitar activities pursued by the State and Federal Governments.

I have already submitted to you a Bill conforming to the recommendations
of the Bowman. Commission relative to this subject, and which is designed to
furnish a solution to the problem. In my opinion, the transfer to the proposed
Department of Public Welfare of the functions now exercised by the Board of
State Aid and Charities will afford facilities which the board of State Aid and
Charities does not and cannot possess, without duplication of effort and expense.
I trust that the Bill will receive your fullest consideration and I earnestly hope
for its passage.

After much deliberation, I have recommended allowances in the budget to
these institutions aggregating $1, 154, 300 for 1940, and $1, 152, 300 for 1941,
representing a reduction of $703, 114, in the aggregate amount requested.
Pending the establishment by the State of some fixed or understandable policy
in determining its financial support of such Institutions, I feel that the allow-
ances recommended are justifiable and should be made.

It is highly desirable that a survey be made promptly to determine the
extent to which the State should go in making future appropriations to
institutions.

University of Maryland

The University of Maryland—as a State University—was created by the
Legislature of 1920 through the consolidation of the Maryland State College
of Agriculture and the University of Maryland. The present University is
composed of two groups: one comprising the Colleges of Arts and Sciences,
Agriculture, Engineering, Education and Home Economics, Commerce and
Farm Extension and other agricultural services at College Park; and the other