Theodore R. McKeldin, Governor      347

returning the City about ll/12ths of the total spent by it
for highway construction. The same picture in varying de-
grees exists throughout the State in the various counties,
which received in the aggregate about $2,500,000 from the
State in 1945, as compared with approximately $9,000,000
currently distributable therein.

It is, therefore, in the interests of a sound fiscal policy
for all the citizens of the State, and with a view to continu-
ing efforts at management of state affairs to afford, if
possible, further tax reductions, that I return herewith
House Bill 24 without my approval.

Sincerely,

Theodore R. McKeldin,
TRMcKrjs                           Governor

March 27, 1952
Honorable John C. Luber
Speaker of the House of Delegates
State House
Annapolis, Maryland

Dear Mr. Speaker:

House Bill 5, passed and sent to me by the 1952 Session of
the General Assembly, would permit members of the State
Police to perform police functions in municipalities, which
maintain their own police forces, when requested to do so
by the State's Attorney or the Grand Jury of the county in
which the municipality is situated.

The State Police already have the authority to act offici-
ally in such instances when they are requested to do so by
the Mayor or the chief police officer, or when ordered to do
so by the Governor.

It seems to me that the existing authority is amply
broadband that the State's Attorney or Grand Jury of any
county can, when it is deemed necessary, obtain the services
of the State Police through the proper municipal authorities,
or, in extreme cases, through the Governor. I feel that the
proposed law would, in effect, increase the area of command
and the demand upon the services of a department which
already has its hands full with its normal duties. I believe
it is up to the citizens of a municipality to so exercise their
franchise as to demand the best in local government, in-
cluding policing, and that when a situation arises which
requires outside help, the municipal officers are in the best
position to know of the need and to request the help. Inter-
ference by county officials or county bodies could lead, in