I know well the firemen of my State, and I am convinced that they
will maintain their pledge to remain tops in the fire service. I regard
the reduction of fire loss as one of the finest of services to the public, and
it goes without saying that I will offer them every possible service.

In closing, may I express my deepest hope that you will leave this
conference with a stronger determination to travel farther and faster
down the road of fire safety education. We have come a long way, but
as long as we have unwanted fires, there is a long way yet to travel.

ADDRESS, MARYLAND STATE FIREMEN'S ASSOCIATION

OCEAN CITY

June 17, 1959

In all my associations with men and groups of men in a rather long
career in public life, none has been more satisfying, more wholesome
and more rewarding than my relationship with the firefighters of Mary-
land. To all of you I should like to say that I appreciate beyond the
power of words to say the support you have given me all these years in
my various endeavors. I hope that in some way I shall be able to repay
you for your kindness.

You may have heard me say this before, but I should like to repeat it
nevertheless: That of all the high honors I have received from the
people of my State, there is none upon which I place a higher value than
that which this organization paid me by electing me as its president.
And the friendships I have formed and kept as a member and officer of
this association have meant more to me than all the honors I have
received.

It was my privilege a few months ago to represent the State of Mary-
land and to deliver an address at the 1959 Fire Instructors Conference
in Memphis, Tennessee. I was accompanied on that trip by Bill Hilgen-
berg, who as president of the Board of Fire Commissioners in Baltimore,
did so much to improve the quality of fire protection in that city. And
incidentally—as you no doubt have learned—it was my pleasure after I
had returned from that trip to appoint Bill Hilgenberg to the position
of Bank Commissioner of the State of Maryland. He will, I am sure,
serve with great distinction in that position, just as he has in every other
position, public or private, that he has held.

I did what I could in Memphis—and I think I succeeded in my

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