24 FOURTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT

DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION

When the Department of Information was created by the Board of
Public Works, February 3, 1948, as a division of the Hall of Records, it
was understood that our share in its work would end after official estab-
lishment by the General Assembly. The intent of the Hall of Records
Commission and the desires of the Governor were restated at the last
meeting of the Commission. Consequently, a bill was passed at the 1949
meeting of the General Assembly creating the Department of Information
as an autonomous State agency. (Acts of 1949, Chapter 665).

Since the Hall of Records Commission was responsible for the conduct
of tliis agency for eleven months of the fiscal year, I think it proper to give
you a short summary of its activities. In the course of the year the initial
staff consisting of the Director, John P. Trimmer, and the Secretary-
Stenographer, Ruth Burton, was expanded to include Barbara McGraw
arid Ruth Kelso, who assist in the office part time and act as guides to the
State House at other times. Over ten thousand inquiries were received
during the year, most of which could be answered, the remainder being
forwarded to other State and local agencies. Three pamphlets were pub-
lished for free distribution: Maryland at a Glance, Agricultural Maryland,
and Industrial Maryland. The total budget was about $12,000.

After several moves the Department of Information took up its per-
manent home in the so-called "Old Treasury Building," from which unfor-
tunately they have now had to move temporarily while this ancient build-
ing is being restored. A relatively ambitious program has been outlined
for the new year, including a further expansion of the staff. The budget
allowance for the fiscal year 1950 is approximately $27,500. It is my hope
that the Hall of Records Commission will feel that our effort in having
this agency created and the time and attention which we freely offered to
the new director of a new State agency were worthwhile.

ACCESSIONS

In the course of moving from the Court of Appeals Building in
Annapolis to the Fifth Regiment Armory in Baltimore certain late records
were transferred to the Hall of Records which were later returned to the
Military Department. In exchange we received a fine collection of muster
rolls for the Civil and Spanish-American Wars. In addition, a bundle of
eighteenth century Executive Papers, which had somehow found their way
into the records of this department, were given to the Hall of Records.