of Governor Herbert R. O'Conor 289

For 1942 and 1943, the State Planning Commission program includes a
State-wide Library Survey, Comprehensive State Airport and Airways Plan,
Population Studies, Survey of Counties' Medical Care and Facilities Needs,
Establishment of a Procedure for Continuing Economic Study of Maryland and
an Inventory of Federal and State-owned Lands.

TRAINING SCHOOLS

The Maryland Training School for Boys, which cares for 265 boys in resi-
dence and 294 on parole, all of whom have been committed for minor violations,
ranks, according to competent outside experts, among the leading institutions of
its nature in the Country. Only recently it has received a high citation from
the United States Children's Bureau, and its very able Superintendent, Colonel
James A. Pratt, has been honored by being called into consultation by authori-
ties of the Bureau in discussions of problems dealing with social adjustment of
the exceptional youth of our Country.

It is operated as a training school in that it teaches academic and vocational
subjects and seeks to adapt the boys committed to its care in the community.
Emphasis is placed on academic and vocational education, physical recreation
and outdoor sports, adequate diet and proper and necessary discipline.

During the last two years marked improvements have been made relating
directly to the educational program. Vocational courses in agriculture, busi-
ness, printing, painting, home service and power plant operation have been
revised and adapted to the latest developments in those vocations. Classroom
facilities have been provided for the students taking the business course and
equipment in the printing shop has been supplemented. The physical plant
and equipment have been improved and this will continue during the next
biennium.

The Montrose School for Girls is devoted to the educational and vocational
training of girls who have in some measure come in conflict with the law, and
seeks to adjust the inmates into a proper community life. Academic and voca-
tional subjects are taught. The program during the last two years has been
along educational lines. Over a period of five years, up until October, 1940,
statistics show that 85 per cent of the girls have not been any further trouble
to the community up to the age of twenty-one. The majority of these indi-
viduals have married and have homes of their own.

At the last session of the General Assembly, funds were appropriated
amounting to $75, 000. 00, for the construction of a new vocational building and
equipment and for other general equipment for the institution. More adequate
facilities in home training will be accorded and no difficulty is experienced in
placing girls in service after they leave the institution.

The average number cared for is 116 girls. Fifty are on parole and the
average length of stay in school for the girls paroled last year was approxi-
mately three years.

As the beneficial work of this splendid institution is expanded, additional
facilities will be necessary and should be provided.

The State assumed a grave obligation in taking over the Cheltenham
School for Boys, which has previously been under private management. The
school cares for 420 boys, who have been committed by the courts. A survey of
the needs of the school revealed that considerable improvement was needed if
the school were to rank with other institutions.