The purpose of the MARYLAND MANUAL is to present in concise
form to the citizens of Maryland a description and accounting of their
government. Since it is a publication of the State, the emphasis is on the
agencies of the State Government; that part having to do with local govern-
ments is not intended to be more than a directory.

Sketches of individual governmental agencies contain, at the very least,
evidence of the legal status of the agency, its functions, the name of the
administrator and the members of any governing body or commission,
the number of persons employed, appropriations for fiscal years 1955 and
1956. A list of current publications of all agencies is given in a separate
section.

The cooperation of many State agencies is gratefully acknowledged.
Special mention is due the following: James P. Brock and Mary L. Wilson
of the Secretary of State's Office; Carl N. Everstine, Director of the De-
partment of Legislative Reference, who cared for changes in the Constitu-
tion; Janet L. Hoffman of the Fiscal Research Bureau, who prepared the
governmental chart; William H. Bayliff, who brought up to date "Maryland
at a Glance."

In one way or another most of the staff members of the Hall of Records
have a hand in preparing or publishing the MANUAL. Ultimately, all
of it goes through the hands of John P. Hively whose special assignment it
is. The greater part of the typing was done by Rose Mary DiStefano.
The Index was prepared by Edna E. Jensen. The pictures of the Governor,
the members of the General Assembly and the Court of Appeals are by
Marion E. Warren; all the others were furnished by State agencies which
built or have in charge the structures shown.

MORRIS L. RADOFF,
Archivist and Records Administrator.