1346                            JOINT RESOLUTIONS

This has been a difficult subject, particularly because of the lack of
accuracy in the cost accounting methods used by participating hos-
pitals in arriving at their average in-patient per diem costs.

A year ago the Committee on Taxation and Fiscal Matters recom-
mended that action be taken by all hospitals to give an accurate
figure for the cost of care being provided State-aided patients. As a
result, a Committee composed of representatives of hospitals, headed
by Dr. Russell Nelson, President of The Johns Hopkins Hospital,
worked on this problem.

As a further result all of the hospitals have now agreed to incor-
porate a uniform accounting method which will compute accurately
the cost of State-aided patients' care.

The several cooperating agencies deserve the thanks and apprecia-
tion of the General Assembly for their work and effort on this
difficult problem; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the General Assembly of Maryland, That the thanks
and appreciation of this body are expressed for the fine contribution
in the field of comparative hospital costs rendered by the Hospital
Council, Dr. Russell Nelson, and the Committee on Taxation and
Fiscal Matters; and be it further

Resolved, That the Legislative Council is requested once again to
assign this problem to the Committee on Taxation and Fiscal Mat-
ters, so that during 1966 continued progress may be made in this
valuable study.

Approved March 23, 1966.

No. 4
(Senate Joint Resolution 18)

Senate Joint Resolution requesting Congress to pass legislation deal-
ing with the problem of pollution in the waters of Maryland by
sewage, oil and refuse discharged from vessels plying them.

Whereas, There is a problem of pollution in the waters of this
State by sewage, oil and refuse of every kind discharged or dumped
from vessels plying them; and

Whereas, The waters cross state lines; and

Whereas, The yachtsmen using and enjoying our fine water ways
come from many states; and

Whereas, The vessels are manufactured in many states; and

Whereas, Because of these facts legislation dealing with this prob-
lem should more naturally come from Congress since it constitutes a
Federal problem; and

Whereas, There is pending legislation in our Congress in this
area; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the General Assembly of Maryland, That Congress
be requested to pass the appropriate legislation to deal with this
problem; and be it further