'of Governor Herbert R. O'Conor 475

I heartily concur in this belief, that the continuing study and consideration of
our fishery problems by this organized group will result in a better coordina-
tion of the administrative efforts on the part of the several States.

Furthermore, the recommendations of this commission should carry much
weight with the Legislatures of the states concerned. On the whole, as a
result of this Compact, I feel that real and effective progress will be made in
the direction of greatly improved conditions in the seafood industry of the
Atlantic Coast in which we in Maryland have such a large interest.

I sincerely trust that our neighboring State of Virginia when its Legis-
lature meets during the coming winter will take action joining in this Compact.
As it seems to me, the machinery which it provides will prove especially useful
in developing a cooperative program with Virginia with respect to the manage-
ment of the resources of the Chesapeake Bay in which the two States have a
common interest.

It is for these reasons that many of us feel that this action which we are
taking at this time will turn out to have marked an important milestone in the
progress of Conservation.