4 State Papers and Addresses

that will give the State of Maryland a wholly creditable administration and
that, when I relinquish the office, Maryland may be in such high estate finan-
cially, culturally and economically, that I may step down with the satisfaction of
knowing that from the standpoint of social welfare, I have contributed some-
thing definitely worth while to the great State whose people today honor me
so signally.

The problems before us are many. Although different in character, they
are as crucial as those that faced Maryland when our Nation entered the World
War. Their solution will require sacrifice as well as courage and fortitude.
Upon the soundness of their solution rests the future welfare of the State and
its people. I do not propose at this time to discuss these problems in detail.
It is sufficient to outline the general ideas that must guide us as we assume
our joint tasks.

We must realize that besides looking forward to the betterment of condi-
tions, we must devise new ways and means and apply them promptly and effec-
tively, in order to insure the immediate betterment that we all desire so
earnestly. We must adjust our tax structure that, while it will raise the
necessary revenue, it will not tend to disrupt the business life and weaken the
economic structure but rather will tend to encourage and stabilize them. While
we are engaged in this common enterprise, we must not forget that these next
four years, important as they now seem to us, are but steps in the long life of
our State. One cardinal principle must guide us—namely, that in solving our
problems for today we must also build for tomorrow. Our solutions must be
well-reasoned and carefully considered, that those who come after us are
benefited rather than penalized by our work.

Since my election I have approached the handling of these problems in a
way that I felt would lead to their proper solution. I have sought and ob-
tained the active assistance of public-spirited citizens of both parties. Able,
informed, and experienced persons acceded to my request that they analyze
and report upon the out-standing problems of our State. No consideration
of partisanship or of politics dictated their selection or influenced their delibera-
tions. Such a standard will be the guiding and determining one as we meet
succeeding situations.

The most important problem facing the administration is that of placing
the State's finances on a sound and enduring foundation. We must not live
on borrowed money. We do not have the right to mortgage the future of our
State unduly to meet present needs. We must provide adequate revenues for
the proper discharge of the State's obligations and to supply the needed serv-
ices. 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
government. I am firmly convinced that substantial reductions in existing
governmental cost can be made without impairing essential functions. This
will mean the paring down of our departmental estimates, the elimination of
nonessential expenditures, and the foregoing of governmental luxuries. We
must get down to necessities.

Even with every possible economy, we shall have to raise additional rev-
enue; this money should not be borrowed but should be raised by taxation.
There is no easy remedy, no palliative that is safe for the State and its people.
We must balance our budget and maintain our credit. Failure to do so can
lead only to disaster. Months ago, in asking for the support of the voting