approval of Federal grants for planning programs in other areas
(including an additional grant of $50, 000 to the Baltimore Regional
Planning Council); it has met and discussed planning programs with
local groups in many towns and counties of the State; it has en-
couraged and assisted, where possible, in formulating local programs,
and is presently engaged in encouraging the grouping together into
regions of communities and counties having common problems and
objectives. In addition, through its membership on the Baltimore
Regional Planning Council it has close liaison and association with
planning and public officials in Baltimore City, and Anne Arundel,
Baltimore, Carroll, Harford and Howard Counties.

The Department of Health has been carrying on vital work to
protect the health of the citizens of many communities, and in safe-
guarding the State's water resources, by assisting counties and munic-
ipalities in planning for public water supply and sewerages. One of
the great handicaps encountered in caring for older people and others
who need long-term medical care has been the lack of facilities to
care for them near their homes. The development of additional nurs-
ing homes for this purpose has been an undertaking of this Depart-
ment. I am pleased to report that the first and most difficult phase
of this problem has been completed. At this session, I shall recom-
mend to you several measures through which we hope to put this pro-
gram on a sound basis at the earliest possible date.

The last two years have witnessed a healthy expansion of activities
in the Department of Mental Hygiene. The care of patients in the
mental hospital and Rosewood has continued to improve. Despite an
increase in admissions, the total hospital population has continued to
decline as a result of improved techniques and programs.

In the field of mental health, it is a pleasure to report that the
Departments of Health and Mental Hygiene have reached agreement
on a coordinated program for the promotion of mental health and
the expansion of services for the mentally ill and the mentally re-
tarded. In this connection, I have received a report on organization
developed by the Committee on Medical Care of the State Planning
Commission, and, at this session, I will ask you for legislation to
carry out these recommendations.

I sincerely hope that you will see fit this year to adopt measures
which will lead to a more equitable apportionment of the seats of
the lower house of this General Assembly. I am well aware that tra-
dition, community pride and other factors have created a wide cleav-
age of opinion among yourselves on this question. You will recall

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