400 ADDRESSES AND STATE PAPERS

done an awful lot and they are continuing to do more with our as-
sistance. We have programs begun now in conjunction with them,
which will have to be adopted finally by the local authorities, that
should assist the City of Cambridge greatly. But I want to make it
clear, and I'm glad you raised that question — I intended to raise
it myself if you hadn't — that the claims of the delegation that came
from Cambridge to complain about the lack of housing and other
wrongs purportedly foisted on them by the city and county officials
were grossly exaggerated.

Q. Will this have an effect at all on your opinion about General
Burch's report to the committee?

A. No.

NEWS CONFERENCE
September 14, 1967

Good morning, everyone. After several days at the Southern Gov-
ernors' Conference, I find myself talked out to an extent that I will
just yield to your questions.

Q. Governor, several of the delegates to the Convention noted your
absence and were wondering why you did not see fit to come to the
opening of the only convention to be held in the next one hundred
years.

A. Well, I discussed that with people in the administration and also
with some of the members of the Convention and it was considered
that since I had already made two formal appearances before the dele-
gates, that it was more important that I attend the Southern Gov-
ernors' Conference. I was to appear on the opening day, before the
Convention. And arrangements have been made for me to appear
before the Convention or its executive committee with a formal state-
ment within the next ten days. So it was the question of the relative
importance of the occasions. Now, had I not had a chance to speak
to the delegates previously, I would have considered it imperative to
appear at the Convention. But since I had met with them on two
other occasions, it was considered to be more important that Mary-
land's point of view be represented at the Southern Governors' Con-
ference.