312 State Papers and Addresses

that a large percentage of new drivers applying for licenses thereafter will
have a thorough knowledge of car driving principles and attitudes.

National organizations with years of experience in the safety field have
highly complimented the Maryland Committee on the solid, intelligent approach
made to the traffic problem. I am convinced that continuation and intensifica-
tion of the sound practices and procedure adopted by the Maryland Traffic
Safety Committee will go far towards making our streets and highways safer,
and towards preventing the very regrettable accidents that are occurring daily.

ADMINISTRATIVE DEPARTMENTS

State Comptroller's Office—Under the able direction of Mr. J. Millard
Tawes the outstanding work in this department during the past two years has
been the administration of the State Income Tax Law passed by your body at
the 1937 and 1939 Sessions. It was necessary, of course, to create a division to
take care of the work involved in the administration of that law. It is felt that
the law has been successfully administered.

The administration of the Alcoholic Beverages Tax Laws of the State has
added considerably to the work of this department but that work, too, is being
handled efficiently.

The Gasoline Tax work has been progressing in a steady manned. There
have been no material changes in the law during the past several years but the
changes which have been made have enabled this department to tighten up so
that it is felt the State is collecting all the revenue possible, and that refunds
are well under control.

State Treasurer's Office—As a member of the Board of Public Works, the
controlling body of the State with regard to fiscal matters, the State Treasurer
plays a most important part in the administration of our affairs. In addition,
his office is charged with responsibility for the placing of adequate insurance
on all State properties, a function which has been discharged under the present
Treasurer, Mr. Hooper S. Miles, with outstanding diligence and with increas-
ingly beneficial results to the State,

All large State Institutions are now insured under 90% blanket coverage,
and in practically every instance the premium cost has, during the past five
or six years, been reduced. The State Institutions are inspected periodically,
and detailed reports covering each inspection made. From such reports recom-
mendations are made to the respective Boards or Department heads, looking
towards further reduction in premium cost and the removal of hazards to human
life.

In addition to the buildings of the State, all automobiles and boats owned
by the State are insured under blanket policies, which the State Treasurer
effected several years ago at considerably reduced cost to the State.

Department of Budget and Procurement—This department was created by
Act of your body in 1939 for the purpose of establishing continuous service in
budget preparation and* control. The budget-making function was combined
with the purchasing so that the budget officer would be familiar with the
material needs and costs of all State Agencies. During the year and a half
the new department has been in existence, detailed studies have been made of
the functioning of the various State Agencies and more information than ever
was available before has been accumulated for the budget-making process.