THEODORE R. MCKELDIN, GOVERNOR 2133

STATE OFFICE BUILDINGS

May 7, 1951
Hon. John C. Luber
Speaker of the House of Delegates
State House
Annapolis, Maryland

Dear Mr. Speaker:

I am returning House Bill 412 without my approval.

This bill would authorize and direct the State to borrow
$5, 000, 000 for the construction of a new State office building in
Annapolis.

An important factor in my decision to veto the bill was the
request yesterday by Charles E. Wilson, Federal Mobilization
Director, that all State, county and municipal borrowing for
"postponable" projects be deferred.

In reaching my decision, I also have taken into account the
amount of the proposed bond issue. I believe $5, 000, 000 is too
much for any State office building that might be needed in
Annapolis.

If a more moderate and useful proposal for an Annapolis
office building can be developed in another session of the
Legislature, it will receive my earnest consideration.

I also consider, of course, the report of a commission ap-
pointed by my predecessor at the instance of the General As-
sembly to investigate possible sites for a State office building,
"particularly in or near the business district of Baltimore
City".

This emphasis on Baltimore City as the likely location is
understandable. The commission's report showed that it
studied a number of possibilities, including Annapolis, al-
though Annapolis apparently was not even considered in the
legislative resolution. The commission concluded for reasons
set forth in detail that Baltimore is the proper location for the
structure.

The personnel of the commission was of as high quality as
could be assembled. The members were Hooper S. Miles,
Chairman; John B. Funk, Secretary; Albert D. Hutzler;
Walter N. Kirkman; William J. McWilliams; S. Page Nelson
and James G. Rennie. All signed the report except Mr. Mc-
Williams who was out of the State at the time.

Annapolis is the capital of the State. This would seem rea-
sonable to imply that the State offices should be located in
Annapolis insofar as this can be done without undue incon-
venience to people having business with the State, and without
undue hardship to present State employes.

The matter cannot be decided, however, by a simple formula.
The report points out that one half of the State's population