The Republican

Forecasts New Taxes: Pledges A
Balanced Budget and Economy
In Inaugural Address Yesterday

WILL HALT EXTRAVAGANCE

"I, Herbert R. O'Conor, do solemnly swear"

With this beginning in the august hush that swept the jampacked State Senate chamber at noon yesterday, Herbert R. O'Conor became the 60th governor of the Free State of Maryland.

Before senators, congressmen, state legislators and the State Court of Appeals, the boyish-looking Irishman from Baltimore's tenth ward raised his right hand and climaxed the greatest day of his 43 years in a firm voice that dominated the Senate chamber.

Forecasts Balanced Budget

Then, in a broadcast inaugural address to the thousands massed on the state house lawn and along the inaugural parade route, the new chief executive forecast new taxes, strict governmental economy and a balanced budget for his four-year administration.

"We shall have to raise additional revenue . . . by taxation," the slim governor announced, "there is no easy remedy, no palliative that is safe. We must balance our budget and maintain our credit. Failure to do so can lead only to disaster."

The ancient ritual of swearing in Maryland's governors and the inaugural address were highlights of the day that left Annapolis slightly dazed after a delirious day that had no counterpart in living memory.

The population of the town was more than doubled as 15,000 visitors converged on Annapolis from all over the State.

City a Riot Of Color

The city was an explosion of gay color amid a thundering pulse of noise that came from cheers and chatter of the jammed hordes who milled on the ancient brick sidewalks.

Loudspeakers, like flaring great trumpets, bloomed on all the principal streets to carry the words of O'Conor to cheering Marylanders.

Much Interest in Address

O'Conor's inaugural address was a focus of interest for legislators, as it is expected to be their guide in the topheavy Democratic House and Senate during the coming 90 days.

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HERBERT R. O'CONOR
O'CONOR TAKES OATH AS 60TH GOVERNOR OF STATE
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"The returns of the election can be accepted as an approval of the policy of increased taxation," O'Conor declared, "they can be accepted as an indication that the people understand the situation and are willing to assume the necessary burdens to the end that their state's financial house may be put in order."
O'Conor said readjustments of the tax structure would "encourage and stabilize" business, rather than cripple it under an impost of new taxes.
On economy in government, O'Conor said in part: "I am fully convinced that substantial reductions in governmental costs can be made without impairing essential functions."
No Personal Organization
"No one need fear," O'Conor emphasized, "an attempt by me to build a personal organization or a political machine. I am now free, and shall remain free to avail myself to the full potentialities of the whole party for the betterment of our state."
"I do not intend to criticize or condemn those who have been in charge of the state's affairs," O'Conor continued, "instead of occupying your time with what could or should not have been done, it is my judgment that it is more useful to invite your attention to, and seek your consideration and support of what might be done henceforth. We go on from here."
On the subject of politics in state government, the new governor aimed his shots especially at the State Roads Commission and the State Conservation Commission. These two, he said, "prove the case for the avoidance of politics where politics might jeopardize the proper advancement of state interests."
Turning again to fiscal matters, he called on the General Assembly to create a budget bureau to assist and advise the governor in the preparation of his budget.
Urges Budget Bureau
"The law puts upon the governor the duty and the responsibility of submitting the budget and the appropriating body," he said. "At the very outset the incoming governor is faced with this major problem at a time when other matters of importance must also be considered."
budget plan and tried to make it more
bureau "would systematize the whole budget plan and tend to make it more efficient and orderly," he said.
Moving to a discussion of capital and labor, O'Conor urged workers to remember that, in addition to the right to strike and to bargain collectively, "there also exists another right, namely, the right to work."
"This right is ingrained in the American philosophy underlying our economic and social order," he said, "and so long as this country has respected it, we have advanced on the pathway of civilization."
Points Out Social Needs
The governor pointed to what he said were "four primary social needs," which "must be driven line abreast" under the rein of economy and the spur of efficiency. These he listed as law and order, public health, roads and other means of transportation, and education.
Law and order, he said, must be placed first as a necessity to the other three. As a detail under the law and order category, he called for "intelligent administration of a well-organized and adequately staffed parole system" and greater efforts toward study of prison inmates as a means of crime reduction.
The comparatively brief address closed with a hint to the legislature that its deliberations should be speeded toward early adjournment.
"It may not be too much to hope," he said, "that the work of the legislature will proceed as promptly as is consistent with efficiency and suitable deliberations so that the work may be completed before the expiration of the period allowed by the constitution. Public money would be saved . . . if this General Assembly terminated its session before the end of 90 days."