1958] OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES 11

of its provisions. I am sure there will be little or no cause herein for
dispute or discord.

I might note in passing that the enactment and performance of this
temporary legislation could and should serve a two-fold purpose—first, to
cope with the current conditions of unemployment; second, to provide the
opportunity and the reason for a closer and more searching look at our
Unempolyment Compensation Law in its normal working, and to compare
it with results under the temporary provisions now proposed.

It well might arouse us to the realization that the present 26 weeks
limit on compensation payments is unrealistic, not only in occasional times
of economic adjustment, but—for some recipients—in years of a normal
economy or even in those of prosperity.

I strongly urge that those of you who will be returning to the Regular
Session in January keep this matter and the workings of the temporary law
under close scrutiny in the interim, with a view to introducing and sup-
porting such necessary corrective legislation as may be indicated by the
experience.

From the time that the calling of this Session became a likehood,
Baltimore City authorities and members of the Greater Baltimore Com-
mittee have discussed publicly the probability that legislation would be
introduced to authorize the Municipality to submit to the City's voters a
loan proposal to finance the City's share of the Charles Center renewal
project for downtown Baltimore.

Similar authority is to be sought in connection with the proposed Civic
Center, which is even older, in public discussion.

Surely, there are no bombshells here.

For any who may be opposed to the projects themselves or to the
loan proposals at this time, there will be plenty of time for expressions of
opposition between now and the General Election when the people of
Baltmiore will make their decision.

We all know that the heart of Baltimore, like the business areas of
other old cities, needs a dramatic operation.

This is it. It deserves the support and encouragement of all of us.
The presently proposed proximity of the Civic Center to the area of the
Charles Center Renewal enhances the desirability of the total project.

I am advised that previous suggestion that Baltimore County might
need some emergency legislation has been withdrawn.

The task before you is clear.

I trust you will lose no time in applying yourselves to its performance.

THEODORE R. MCKELDIN,

Governor.
Which was read and ordered journalized.