satisfied with the support that the civil defense program is receiving
and let their elected representatives know their desires.

I hope that when talking about civil defense we are talking about
a program which is a deterrent to war and therefore a force for
peace. All of us have the greatest desire for peace, and it is my judg-
ment that home front preparedness is one of the steps that will pre-
vent war in the world. An unprepared home front is an inviting
target for an enemy and weakens our diplomats at the bargaining
tables of international negotiations.

I was most impressed by the needs for civil defense as explained
at the Governor's Conference in Puerto Rico last summer, and I have
watched with interest the actions of other of our governors in pushing
the program in their states. I assure you publicly this evening, as
we dedicate this new structure, that as long as world conditions
warrant, I will press for a strong and efficient civil defense in Mary-
land.

I congratulate all those who have had a hand in the planning and
construction of this building and I pray that it will be used only in
peace.

ADDRESS, ANNUAL MEETING OF COUNTY CIVIL
DEFENSE OFFICIALS

ANNAPOLIS

June 15, 1961

It is a pleasure to me to meet again with civil defense officials of
our Maryland counties and the City of Baltimore.

As I have said before, the local civil defense officials—you who have
day-to-day contact with the people—constitute a main line of defense
against disaster for our civilian population. If our people are to
survive a potential enemy attack they must look mainly to the civil
defense leaders of their home community for advice.

Some of you may recall that I spoke at the State Control Center
on March 29, 1960, when that structure was dedicated. I was proud
of Maryland's achievements up to that time. And since then we have
not stood still, but on the contrary we have continued to make sub-

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